When he joined the New York Red Bulls II prior to the start of the 2016 season, there was a clear plan in place for Aaron Long.

After starting all 17 games for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer this season, it’s clear the 2016 USL Defender of the Year has grown into the role at center back the club’s leadership envisioned for him, as the 24-year-old has become an integral part of the club’s lineup.

“We saw pretty early on he was a guy that had a high value at center back,” said Red Bulls II Head Coach John Wolyniec in an in-depth video profile of Long. “[We] felt like his ceiling was so high that we needed to keep him in that spot and develop him, that that’s his position.”

Long had played in multiple roles for Seattle Sounders FC 2 after being signed prior to the 2015 season, almost acting as a utility player, depending on what was needed in the lineup. Placed into the lineup at center back from the opening game of the Red Bulls II’s 2016 campaign, Long began to flourish as Wolyniec and the Red Bulls staff began drilling him on what was required to thrive.

“I grew up, big-time,” said Long. “They held me to a high standard. They said, ‘you played well this game, but if you’re on the first team this can’t happen, you’ve got to do this better, you’ve got to shift faster here,’ so they never led anything slip.”

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Long logged more than 1,500 minutes in the USL regular season, in addition to competing in the CONCACAF Champions League for the MLS squad, and then played a pivotal role in the Red Bulls II becoming USL Cup champions, scoring twice and also converting from the penalty spot in the Eastern Conference Final against Louisville.

“I wouldn’t say there was one moment that sticks out in my mind,” said Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara, who backstopped the Red Bulls II to their championship, “but I just look back on some of the big games last year, even as we got down the stretch in the playoff run, and for me Aaron was probably our best player, our most consistent, solid player.”

From that success and the USL honors that came with it, Long has taken a major next step in 2017. For more on his journey, check out the full-length video.