[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"football-site-config":3,"world-cup-status-en":27,"news-detail-why-herrington-s-world-cup-bid-is-real-facing-messi-in-mls":61,"news-related-why-herrington-s-world-cup-bid-is-real-facing-messi-in-mls-en":97,"news-related-match-why-herrington-s-world-cup-bid-is-real-facing-messi-in-mls-en":26},{"adSlots":4,"affiliateMode":5,"brandName":6,"contentStrategy":7,"currency":8,"friendLinks":9,"homepageLayoutKey":10,"leagueFocus":11,"locale":12,"planVisibility":13,"seoDescription":14,"seoTitleTemplate":15,"siteCode":10,"siteName":6,"siteType":10,"subscriptionMode":5,"timezone":16,"id":17,"tenantID":18,"primaryDomain":19,"countryCode":20,"logoUrl":21,"faviconUrl":21,"theme":22,"seoKeywords":24,"status":25,"ads":4,"focusLeagues":26,"affiliatePolicies":26},[],"shared","Football Prediction Platform","scores_predictions","USD",[],"main",[],"en-US",[],"Football fixtures, results, free predictions, subscriptions, and clearly labeled partner links.","{page} | Football Prediction Platform","America\u002FNew_York",323900000000000000,1,"football.easytestdev.online","US","",{"primaryColor":23},"#1677ff","football predictions, football fixtures, football results","active",null,{"active":28,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"leagueImagePath":31,"seasonId":32,"seasonName":33,"startingAt":34,"endingAt":35,"daysToStart":36,"daysToEnd":37,"phase":38,"includeQualifying":39,"hostCities":40},true,"326135624916537344","World Cup","https:\u002F\u002Fmedia.api-sports.io\u002Ffootball\u002Fleagues\u002F1.png","326255613308833792","2026\u002F2027","2026-06-11","2026-06-28",-38,-21,"finished_recent",false,[41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60],"Atlanta","Boston","Dallas","East Rutherford","Guadalajara","Houston","Kansas City","Los Angeles","Mexico City","Miami","Monterrey","New-York","New York New Jersey","Philadelphia","San-Francisco","San Francisco Bay Area","Seattle","Toronto","Vancouver","Zapopan",{"article":62},{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":63,"category":64,"excerpt":65,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":66,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":67,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":68,"slug":69,"sourceName":70,"sourceURL":71,"teamId":72,"teamName":73,"teamIds":74,"teamNames":85,"title":96},"Lucas Herrington has emerged as a surprise contender for Australia’s World Cup squad after a breakout campaign with the Colorado Rapids. The defender’s performances in Major League Soccer have not only anchored his club’s backline but also caught the eye of Socceroos selectors, putting him on the brink of a call-up for the global showpiece.\n\nThe 22-year-old centre-back joined the Rapids’ academy before breaking into the first team, but it is his recent form that has elevated his status. In a league increasingly known for developing talent, Herrington has stood out with his composure, aerial ability, and tactical awareness.\n\nHis steep learning curve this season included a high-profile encounter against Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, an experience that could define a young player’s career. Facing the Argentine legend not only tested Herrington defensively but also provided a masterclass in movement and vision—lessons he has since applied in MLS.\n\nThe Messi matchup served as a barometer for Herrington’s growth. ‘You learn more in those 90 minutes than in a whole season sometimes,’ is the sentiment often expressed by defenders who have faced the greatest, and Herrington’s poise suggested he absorbed every second.\n\nHis consistent displays for the Rapids have not gone unnoticed. Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold, who has monitored progress in MLS closely, is considering defensive options ahead of the World Cup, and Herrington’s adaptability could prove invaluable in a squad that values versatility.\n\nAustralia’s defensive depth has been a talking point, with established names like Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles currently holding the fort. But injuries and form fluctuations mean the door is ajar for newcomers, and Herrington’s recent showings present a compelling case for inclusion.\n\nFor the Rapids, Herrington’s rise validates their youth development pathway. The MLS club has invested in young talent, and a homegrown player heading to a World Cup would be a significant milestone, drawing further attention to the league’s ability to nurture internationals.\n\nThe broader implications extend to MLS itself. Once viewed as a retirement destination, the league is now a legitimate launching pad for careers, particularly for players from nations like Australia, where the competition’s schedule and style offer a unique blend of physicality and technical challenge.\n\nHerrington’s potential selection would also highlight the growing synergy between MLS and the Asian Football Confederation, as more players from the region use the league as a stepping stone. His journey mirrors that of other non-traditional soccer nations finding pathways through North America.\n\nFor the player himself, the prospect of a World Cup call-up is the culmination of years of dedication. While he remains focused on the Rapids’ playoff push, the international recognition adds a layer of motivation—and pressure—to finish the MLS season strongly.\n\nIf selected, Herrington would be one of the youngest defenders in the Socceroos squad, bringing energy and a fresh perspective to a group aiming to surpass their round-of-16 finish in 2022. His experience against elite attackers like Messi would be an asset in high-stakes matches.\n\nAs the World Cup draws near, all eyes will be on Arnold’s final roster decisions. For Lucas Herrington, the dream is no longer distant; it is within reach, and his performance against Messi may just be the catalyst that propelled him onto the world stage. Based on reporting from ESPN.","news","Colorado Rapids' Lucas Herrington is on the verge of a Socceroos call-up for the World Cup after a standout MLS season that included facing Lionel Messi.","335286079592599553","0","2026-05-27T21:11:57Z","why-herrington-s-world-cup-bid-is-real-facing-messi-in-mls","ESPN","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.espn.com\u002Fsoccer\u002Fstory\u002F_\u002Fid\u002F48888696\u002Fmessi-mls-colorado-rapids-herrington-primed-world-cup","326257590319190016","Colorado Rapids",[72,75,76,77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84],"326257613643714560","326257766752587776","326257810339794944","326257814404075520","326257590608596992","326222711976103936","326257539769438208","326222707169431552","326257546392244224","326257615103332352",[73,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95],"Hassania Agadir","Fortaleza EC","Forest Green","Hastings United","Inter Miami","Australia","Inter","Anderlecht","Nottingham Forest","BSC Young Boys","Why Herrington's World Cup bid is real: Facing Messi in MLS",[98,130,162,191],{"awayTeamId":-1,"awayTeamName":-1,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":99,"homeTeamId":-1,"homeTeamName":-1,"id":100,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":67,"matchName":21,"publishedAt":101,"slug":102,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":104,"teamId":105,"teamName":106,"teamIds":107,"teamNames":118,"title":129},"Guéla Doué scored and assisted as Ivory Coast beat France 2-1 in a friendly, outshining his brother Désiré who featured for Les Bleus in the sibling showdown.","338200147588550657","2026-06-05T04:00:00Z","guela-doue-downs-brother-s-france-ivorian-2-1-win","L'Equipe","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUn-but-et-une-passe-decisive-contre-la-france-la-soiree-de-reve-pour-guela-doue-avec-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681944#at_medium=RSS_feeds","326222712533946368","Ivory Coast",[105,108,109,110,111,112,113,114,115,116,117,82],"326222711447621632","326255037997125632","326257536145559552","326222711401484288","326222767416414208","326257536078450688","326257536296554496","326257537865224192","326257686389723136","326257535994564608",[106,119,120,121,122,123,124,125,126,127,128,93],"France","Strasbourg","Rennes","Belgium","Lesotho","Paris Saint Germain","Auxerre","Estoril","Together","Nantes","Guéla Doué downs brother's France: Ivorian 2-1 win",{"awayTeamId":131,"awayTeamName":132,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":133,"homeTeamId":134,"homeTeamName":135,"id":136,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":137,"matchName":138,"publishedAt":139,"slug":140,"sourceName":141,"sourceURL":142,"teamId":134,"teamName":135,"teamIds":143,"teamNames":152,"title":161},"326222712622026752","South Africa","Shakira & Burna Boy sing 'Dai Dai' at 2026 World Cup opener June 11 in Mexico City, with J Balvin, Tyla. Buble, Morissette, Perry, Future lead other ceremonies.","326222711908995072","Mexico","338120887364489217","327115024327774208","Mexico vs South Africa","2026-06-04T22:48:54Z","shakira-burna-boy-to-open-2026-world-cup-in-mexico","BBC Sport","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.com\u002Fsport\u002Ffootball\u002Farticles\u002Fc8939ykg3qgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss",[134,131,144,145,146,82,147,148,149,150,151],"326222712936599552","326222713142120448","326257593007738880","326222713016291328","326257563345620992","326257565195309056","326222711623782400","326257791226351616",[135,132,153,154,155,93,156,157,158,159,160],"Paraguay","Canada","Azteca","USA","Heracles","Barcelona","Colombia","Nigeria","Shakira, Burna Boy to Open 2026 World Cup in Mexico",{"awayTeamId":163,"awayTeamName":164,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":165,"homeTeamId":108,"homeTeamName":119,"id":166,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":167,"matchName":168,"publishedAt":169,"slug":170,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":171,"teamId":105,"teamName":106,"teamIds":172,"teamNames":181,"title":190},"326222711783165952","Senegal","France lose first friendly under Deschamps, 2-1 to Ivory Coast in Nantes, revealing defensive issues 10 days before World Cup start vs Senegal.","338126221931974657","327115052106649600","France vs Senegal","2026-06-04T22:34:17Z","bleus-lose-friendly-under-deschamps-2-1-to-ivory-coast","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FArticle\u002FUne-defaite-ni-vraiment-grave-ni-completement-anodine-pour-les-bleus-a-dix-jours-de-leur-entree-en-scene-au-mondial\u002F1681936#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[105,108,163,117,173,144,112,174,175,176,115,177,178,179,180,82],"326257810885054464","326255039846813696","326255041625198592","326257536413995008","326257541157752832","326257545754710016","326257554411753472","326257789708013568",[106,119,164,128,182,153,123,183,184,185,126,186,187,188,189,93],"York","FK Partizan","Partizani","Paris FC","Galatasaray","Newcastle","Newcastle Jets","China","Bleus Lose Friendly Under Deschamps: 2-1 to Ivory Coast",{"awayTeamId":192,"awayTeamName":193,"body":-1,"category":64,"excerpt":194,"homeTeamId":108,"homeTeamName":119,"id":195,"leagueId":29,"leagueName":30,"matchId":196,"matchName":197,"publishedAt":198,"slug":199,"sourceName":103,"sourceURL":200,"teamId":108,"teamName":119,"teamIds":201,"teamNames":210,"title":219},"326222712819159040","Iraq","Lucas Hernandez: France's 1-2 friendly loss to Ivory Coast is better now than June 16 World Cup opener vs Senegal, with Northern Ireland test next.","338124609578602497","327115069915664384","France vs Iraq","2026-06-04T22:32:57Z","hernandez-france-loss-better-now-than-june-16","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.lequipe.fr\u002FFootball\u002FActualites\u002FLucas-hernandez-apres-la-defaite-1-2-de-la-france-contre-la-cote-d-ivoire\u002F1681942#at_medium=RSS_feeds",[108,192,105,163,202,203,204,115,177,205,206,207,208,209],"326257664243798016","326257535885512704","326222712013852672","326257556060114944","326257565845426176","326257695210344448","326257796423094272","326222712898850816",[119,193,106,164,211,212,213,126,186,214,215,216,217,218],"Northern Ireland","Lille","Iran","Estudiantes L.P.","Mallorca","Signal","Russia","Qatar","Hernandez: France Loss Better Now Than June 16"]