Red Bulls captain Aaron Long was selected to the U.S. men’s national team roster for their upcoming September friendlies, U.S. soccer announced on Wednesday.

Long and the USMNT will play two international friendlies, first against Japan on Friday, September 23 in Dusseldorf, Germany and then on Tuesday, September 27 against Saudi Arabia in Murcia, Spain as they prepare for the World Cup.

Long will make his third USMNT roster this calendar year making four appearances in their last camp in June. The Oak Hills, Calif. native made his return to the USMNT on March 24 against Mexico, coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute. Long has amassed 27 caps for the U.S. with three goals, two assists and anchoring a backline to 13 clean sheets in 2,018 minutes. He has donned the captain’s armband in five matches, all of which have been shutouts.

The defender has made 25 MLS appearances this season, while scoring four goals, which is a new career high. Long’s four goals in MLS is tied for first for the most goals scored by a defender this season. He has now scored 12 MLS goals in his Red Bulls career, which is the most by a defender in franchise history.

The USMNT qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2014 and have been placed in Group B alongside England, Iran, and Wales. The World Cup will run from Monday, Nov. 21 to Sunday, Dec. 18.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.