On why now is the time to retire
It was just a matter of different of aspects and things that came together. I just feel like it's time to start a new chapter of my life. New opportunities, new changes. I haven't had the time to think about retirement. I've been so busy during the offseason that I haven't had the time to really think I'm not going to play anymore. I haven't hit the wall yet.
if he's reflected on his career yet
Honestly no. I haven't been able to rewind, but I'm just kind of enjoying the new projects that I have. I think I'm going to miss it at some point. Life is busy with other sides and I'm enjoying that new role.
if he's thought about what retirement means
I've been involved with the coaching part, as well, with the youth, so I'm going to be involved with soccer, anyway. It has been a fairly easy transition because I keep coaching and I'm still around the game.
On being able to see the growth of soccer
I was lucky to see the USL as the second division and then they merged with the first division, the USL PRO and that transition. I remember the first year in USL PRO, and you could count the number of teams on your hands. Eight teams, or something? It was playing each team four times. Now, what the league had become. It's amazing. It's super fast-paced. I feel so blessed to be a part of it and lucky as well to see how the game has changed the past ten years.
On being able to experience the growth of soccer
I feel so blessed to be a part of that growth. Not just for the league, but for soccer in the United States. I remember those days clearly when we played Orlando with 20,000 plus people in the stadium. It was something you'd never imagined at that time. Then going to play in Cincinnati with the same, 20,000 or 25,000, I don't know. We have come so far along as a league. It's been super nice and I'm blessed to be a part of it.
On what the Charlotte community means to him
I have always said I'm so grateful for the Charlotte community in the way they have embraced me and my family since we got here. It's been awesome. I'm very honored to somehow, through my sport, through my career been able to give back to the community, it's super nice. That's been so nice to see that support. That's why I never [played for] anywhere else since I got to the United States. I came to play for the Eagles and I stayed.
Herrera's message to the everyone supporting his career
I want to thank everyone in the USL for all the support, for the chance to play the game at the level we get to play it. Those are memories that are going to last forever. To Charlotte, thank you for welcoming me and my family. To the teams that I played for, the Eagles and the Independence, just the chance to play the game, to represent the teams and the city. Just thanks. Those are memories that will last forever.
on reflection of the longevity of his career
I just try to look back and I remember a coach telling me when I was 18 or 20, 'hey, soccer is going to pass by like a blink.' I'm like 19, and thinking, 'what are you talking about?' But now that at this point, it's like, that guy was right, it was quick. I'm very blessed and thankful for the career that I had. I'm just very fortunate to play the game at this level and now have my family here because of the game. All the things that I got from the game, I always respected. That was a big thing for me, I always tried to be very respectful to the game.
on his lasting take away from playing soccer
The respect that I talk about to the game, is the way you conduct yourself to respect the game. If you do stuff the right way, it's most likely that good things are going to happen. It's not for sure they're going to happen, bad things are going to happen. But that's how I grew up and I see the game. It's still a game. You can be a good person playing soccer.
On why now is the time to retire
It was just a matter of different of aspects and things that came together. I just feel like it’s time to start a new chapter of my life. New opportunities, new changes. I haven’t had the time to think about retirement. I’ve been so busy during the offseason that I haven’t had the time to really think I’m not going to play anymore. I haven’t hit the wall yet.
if he’s reflected on his career yet
Honestly no. I haven’t been able to rewind, but I’m just kind of enjoying the new projects that I have. I think I’m going to miss it at some point. Life is busy with other sides and I’m enjoying that new role.
if he’s thought about what retirement means
I’ve been involved with the coaching part, as well, with the youth, so I’m going to be involved with soccer, anyway. It has been a fairly easy transition because I keep coaching and I’m still around the game.
On being able to see the growth of soccer
I was lucky to see the USL as the second division and then they merged with the first division, the USL PRO and that transition. I remember the first year in USL PRO, and you could count the number of teams on your hands. Eight teams, or something? It was playing each team four times. Now, what the league had become. It’s amazing. It’s super fast-paced. I feel so blessed to be a part of it and lucky as well to see how the game has changed the past ten years.
On being able to experience the growth of soccer
I feel so blessed to be a part of that growth. Not just for the league, but for soccer in the United States. I remember those days clearly when we played Orlando with 20,000 plus people in the stadium. It was something you’d never imagined at that time. Then going to play in Cincinnati with the same, 20,000 or 25,000, I don’t know. We have come so far along as a league. It’s been super nice and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
On what the Charlotte community means to him
I have always said I’m so grateful for the Charlotte community in the way they have embraced me and my family since we got here. It’s been awesome. I’m very honored to somehow, through my sport, through my career been able to give back to the community, it’s super nice. That’s been so nice to see that support. That’s why I never [played for] anywhere else since I got to the United States. I came to play for the Eagles and I stayed.
Herrera’s message to the everyone supporting his career
I want to thank everyone in the USL for all the support, for the chance to play the game at the level we get to play it. Those are memories that are going to last forever. To Charlotte, thank you for welcoming me and my family. To the teams that I played for, the Eagles and the Independence, just the chance to play the game, to represent the teams and the city. Just thanks. Those are memories that will last forever.
on reflection of the longevity of his career
I just try to look back and I remember a coach telling me when I was 18 or 20, ‘hey, soccer is going to pass by like a blink.’ I’m like 19, and thinking, ‘what are you talking about?’ But now that at this point, it’s like, that guy was right, it was quick. I’m very blessed and thankful for the career that I had. I’m just very fortunate to play the game at this level and now have my family here because of the game. All the things that I got from the game, I always respected. That was a big thing for me, I always tried to be very respectful to the game.
on his lasting take away from playing soccer
The respect that I talk about to the game, is the way you conduct yourself to respect the game. If you do stuff the right way, it’s most likely that good things are going to happen. It’s not for sure they’re going to happen, bad things are going to happen. But that’s how I grew up and I see the game. It’s still a game. You can be a good person playing soccer.
