TACOMA, WASH. – Tacoma Defiance today announced that it has loaned midfielder Antonio Herrera to Chivas de Guadalajara U-23 through the remainder the Mexican club’s season, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign. A Sounders FC Academy product, Herrera joins the youth levels of the Liga MX giant following a pair of callups to the Mexico Youth National Team this winter.
"We are incredibly fortunate to work with Chivas to further develop Antonio's potential as a player,” said Sounders FC Technical Director Henry Brauner. “We are excited to follow Antonio during his loan, and have full trust in Chivas to advance and accelerate his professional pathway."
Herrera, 19, joined Sounders FC Academy in 2017 before signing a MLS NEXT Pro contract with Defiance prior to the 2023 season. He started 11 of 19 appearances during last year’s campaign, tallying a goal and an assist while helping Tacoma to its second-consecutive Pacific Division title and the Western Conference Semifinals.
“We are always excited when young players get opportunities to test themselves in new and challenging situations,” said Sounders Director of Player Development Wade Webber. ”Antonio is progressing well, and getting a chance to play in the Chivas system is the sort of experience he can and will grow from.”
The move to Chivas comes on the heels of a pair of Mexico Youth National Team callups this winter, most recently with the U-20s for Torneo del Sol, a tournament earlier this month in Guadalajara. The midfielder was previously called-up to the U-19s for a tournament in Marbella, Spain, where he appeared on the bench for a match against England.
Tacoma Defiance is currently in the midst of its preparations for the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign, which kicks off later this year. Defiance finished the regular season second place in the Western Conference (14-5-9, 57 points) and first in the Pacific Division, falling 1-0 to Austin FC II in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference Semifinals.
TRANSACTION: Tacoma Defiance loans midfielder Antonio Herrera to Chivas de Guadalajara U-23 through the remainder of the season, with an option to buy at the end of the season, on January 30, 2024.
