A. Herrera, Columbus Crew, Defender, #2: Career, Role & Impact

You’re at Lower.com Field, and one name keeps jumping out from the Crew’s back line: Andrés Herrera. He’s got the number 2 jersey, and every time the Crew need composure or a well-timed stop, he’s right there.

He brings a nice mix of South American technique and MLS’s physical side, which gives Columbus a steady, reliable presence in defense. You can’t help but notice how he blends that technical background with the league’s pace—he just looks comfortable out there.

Herrera grew up in River Plate’s academy and then made the jump to Columbus, adapting to MLS pretty quickly. His years in Argentina sharpened his tactical awareness, and now, in the States, he reads the game even better.

Watch him for a few minutes and you’ll see how he positions himself early, cuts off passing lanes, and forces attackers into awkward spots.

Columbus extended his loan through June 2026, as the Crew confirmed. His role keeps growing, and his presence brings a sense of stability to a team that really values structure.

If you’re following his journey, you’re seeing more than just a right-back—you’re seeing someone who’s helping shape the Crew’s identity from the back.

Player Profile and Background

You get a player who mixes Argentine discipline with MLS intensity. Andrés Herrera’s background, skill set, and role with the Crew show how experience and adaptability can really change a defender’s impact.

Personal Information

Andrés Herrera—full name Marcelo Andrés Herrera Mansilla—was born on November 3, 1998, in Corrientes, Argentina. He stands 1.85 meters (6 feet 1 inch) and mainly plays as a right-back.

He came up through CA River Plate’s youth system, one of Argentina’s most famous clubs. Later, he joined the Columbus Crew on loan from River Plate, with the deal running through June 2025 and an option to buy, per the Crew’s official site.

Herrera attended Instituto River Plate, a school that combines academics with football training. That background shaped a player who’s grounded in Argentina’s technical style and River’s defensive traditions.

He’s played both domestically and internationally, which gives him a mature sense of tempo and tactics.

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Marcelo Andrés Herrera Mansilla
Birth Date	November 3, 1998
Birthplace	Corrientes, Argentina
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Citizenship	Argentina
Current Club	Columbus Crew
On Loan From	CA River Plate
Contract End	June 2025

Playing Style and Strengths

Herrera’s game really leans on positional awareness, stamina, and well-timed tackles. He tracks runners and supports attacks down the right, but rarely gets caught out of position.

His time in Argentina’s Primera División helped him develop a sharper eye for reading plays and marking one-on-one. He likes to intercept instead of diving into tackles, showing patience and control.

He plays with a balance of caution and aggression. If he makes an overlapping run, he recovers fast—super valuable in transition.

Herrera also helps offensively, pinging short passes and whipping in crosses with his right foot. His deliveries into the box stretch defenses and give the Crew another attacking option.

In MLS, he’s shown composure under pressure and communicates well with the central defenders. Transfermarkt calls him a reliable right-back who fits different tactical setups.

Position and Jersey Number

Herrera pulls on the number 2 jersey for the Columbus Crew—classic right-back territory. The role fits him, since he likes to defend first, then push forward when the timing’s right.

He usually plays just behind the midfield, offering width but always keeping an eye on his defensive duties. His positioning lets the wingers get higher up the field without the team losing balance.

River Plate taught him how to handle this dual responsibility—pressing when needed, dropping back when things get dicey.

Now in Columbus, he keeps proving himself as a steady defender who cares about structure, consistency, and teamwork. That number 2 isn’t just a position—it’s his style: disciplined, focused, and all about the basics.

Current Role at Columbus Crew

Andrés Herrera has become a key part of the Crew’s defense. Since coming over on loan from River Plate, he’s given Columbus a reliable right-back who brings a South American touch to MLS’s physical game.

He stands out for his positioning, passing, and work rate—helping the Crew build from the back with confidence.

First Team Contributions

Herrera joined Columbus on loan in August 2024, after stints at San Lorenzo and River Plate. With his experience in Argentina’s Primera División, he immediately made the Crew’s defense more consistent.

He fits well into Wilfried Nancy’s system, which asks fullbacks to push high and recover fast. Herrera often starts attacks from wide, linking with midfielders and wingers to stretch the field.

He stays calm under pressure, which helps steady the back line. He also gets forward to deliver early crosses and make overlapping runs. That versatility lets the Crew stick to their possession style without losing defensive shape.

Herrera’s timing and discipline in one-on-ones have made him one of the team’s most dependable defenders.

Key Performances and Statistics

During the 2025 season, Herrera has been a regular in both league and cup matches. His defensive numbers show he’s improved in recovery runs and aerial battles.

Category	2025 Season (as of Nov 2025)
Matches Played	27
Starts	24
Tackles Won	48
Interceptions	35
Assists	3
Passing Accuracy	84%

You’ll notice his impact during transitions—he reads the game quickly and often snuffs out counterattacks before they get dangerous. He’s comfortable holding onto the ball under pressure, which fits the Crew’s patient buildup.

Herrera’s not flashy, but he’s consistent. He rarely loses focus and keeps the back line organized by talking with the center backs.

Integration into MLS

Adjusting from Argentina’s Primera División to MLS isn’t easy, but Herrera’s handled the pace and physicality with poise. River Plate prepared him for the intensity, but MLS brings its own challenges—like all that travel and the different climates.

He settled into the Crew’s locker room culture pretty quickly and earned his teammates’ trust by showing up every game. You can tell he values preparation and keeps things professional, which works in any league.

Herrera’s blend of technical skill and athleticism has made him a solid choice at right-back. With his loan extended through June 2026, Columbus gets a dependable defender as they chase more trophies.

He played college soccer in San Lorenzo’s academy before turning pro, and that foundation of discipline and tactical awareness still shows in his MLS play.

Transfer Details and Contract Status

You’re looking at a player who’s steadily built his reputation in Argentina and now brings that professionalism to MLS. His move from River Plate to Columbus Crew happened through a well-structured loan that benefits both clubs and gives him room to grow.

Loan Agreement from River Plate

Columbus Crew brought in Andrés Herrera on loan from River Plate in August 2024. The loan runs through June 2025 and includes an international roster slot, pending paperwork and visa approval. You can check the official Crew announcement for more details.

Herrera, a 25-year-old right back from Corrientes, Argentina, joined after 89 appearances for River Plate and a few domestic titles. That timing let Columbus boost their defensive depth before a busy MLS schedule.

Before River, Herrera played for San Lorenzo, where he became a reliable fullback. He also played for Argentina’s Under-23s at the 2019 Pan American Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, picking up some international experience.

Club	Years	Appearances	Goals
San Lorenzo	2018–2021	62	6
River Plate	2022–2024	89	2
Columbus Crew (loan)	2024–present	—	—

Purchase Option and Future Prospects

The loan comes with a purchase option, so Columbus can buy Herrera outright after June 2025. The Columbus Dispatch reported that the Crew can keep him if he keeps performing well.

It’s a good deal for both sides: Columbus avoids long-term risk, and Herrera gets a real shot to prove himself in MLS. If he keeps adapting to the league’s speed and physicality, he could stay through the 2026 season under a new contract.

Herrera’s consistency, positional sense, and time at River Plate make him a strong candidate for a permanent move. For the Crew, keeping him beyond the loan would mean more continuity in defense and a roster that’s built for the long haul.

Previous Clubs and Career Development

You can follow Herrera’s journey through Argentina’s top clubs, where he learned to defend with purpose. River Plate and San Lorenzo both shaped his tactical awareness, while his early years set the tone for his disciplined style.

Experience at River Plate

When you look at Herrera’s career, River Plate stands out as the club that really honed his defensive instincts. He arrived from San Lorenzo and entered a demanding environment under coach Marcelo Gallardo—quick transitions, overlapping runs, and all.

Herrera earned regular starts in both domestic and international matches. He learned to read the game more deeply and often stepped into midfield to help with possession. Those experiences helped him handle pressure and stay focused in big matches.

Key Stats at River Plate (2020–2024)

Competition	Appearances	Goals	Assists	Yellow Cards
Liga Profesional	75	3	7	12
Copa Libertadores	18	0	2	5

His performances caught the eye of MLS clubs, leading to his loan move to Columbus Crew in 2024. That move expanded his experience beyond Argentina.

Time with San Lorenzo

Before River Plate, Herrera was developing his craft at San Lorenzo, another historic Argentine club. He broke into the senior squad after coming up through the youth ranks, building a reputation for his speed and positional sense.

San Lorenzo used him as a right-back or wing-back, so he got experience defending and joining the attack. He learned to manage tight spaces and keep his composure in defensive lines.

San Lorenzo Career Summary (2018–2020)

Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists
2018–19	24	1	2
2019–20	30	2	3

His strong play there led him to River Plate, where he took another step forward.

Youth Career

Herrera grew up in Corrientes, Argentina and started playing organized football when he was just a kid. He spent his early years at local academies before making the jump to San Lorenzo’s youth setup.

At the academy, he worked on the basics—ball control, crossing, defensive timing. Coaches picked up on his discipline and steady improvement, which helped him move up to the first team.

He played for Argentina at youth levels, getting a taste of international competition against South American rivals. Herrera’s youth career shows a gradual climb built on patience and consistent training.

He went to Instituto Superior de Educación Física de Corrientes and somehow managed to balance his studies with football. That determination ended up defining his professional path too.

International Experience

Andrés Herrera’s international background really stands out as a big part of his growth. His time with Argentina’s national teams helped him sharpen his defensive positioning and stay cool in high-pressure games.

Those experiences shaped the player he’s become for the Columbus Crew, especially when it comes to tactical awareness on the back line.

Appearances for Argentina

Herrera got his first senior call-up after some strong games with River Plate. He hasn’t locked down a starting spot for Argentina, but he picked up valuable experience in training camps and friendlies.

Playing alongside top players pushed him to make quicker decisions and adapt to faster, more technical opponents.

He mostly backed up the regular right-backs, learning from guys who’d played in major tournaments. That experience gave him a better feel for Argentina’s defensive system and what international play demands.

Key Senior Stats

Year	Matches	Minutes Played	Assists	Yellow Cards
2021	2	135	0	1
2022	1	45	0	0

Even those short appearances taught him how to keep his head under pressure. You can see that influence in the way he reads the game for Columbus now.

Youth National Team Involvement

Herrera’s journey started with Argentina’s U20 and U23 squads. He played in youth tournaments across South America and faced off against future pros.

Those games taught him how to balance defending with quick attacking transitions.

He played for San Martín de Corrientes College before moving to River Plate’s academy. National scouts noticed his pace and work rate there.

The youth program drilled discipline and tactical awareness into him—skills that have stuck with him as a pro.

During his U23 run, Herrera helped Argentina qualify for the Olympics. His steady play earned him praise for reliability and focus, traits that still show up in MLS.

Media Coverage and Public Perception

Andrés Herrera’s consistency and calm defending have shaped his reputation in MLS circles. Reporters have talked a lot about his move from River Plate to Columbus Crew, and analysts have looked at how his style fits with the club and its fans.

News Highlights

Coverage of Herrera’s arrival in Columbus has been pretty straightforward. MLS Soccer covered his loan from River Plate, pointing out that the deal lasts through next summer.

They highlighted his experience in Argentina’s top league and how it fits the Crew’s defensive needs.

Local and national media have given him credit for his early games. Mad About College Sports called him a reliable right-back who brings structure and energy to the team.

Most of the attention has been on how quickly he’s adapted to MLS speed and physicality.

Key Media Mentions

Outlet	Focus	Tone
MLS Soccer	Loan details and debut	Informative
Mad About College Sports	Defensive consistency	Positive
ESPN	Match highlights and stats	Neutral

Honestly, Herrera’s coverage feels more like respect for his work ethic than hype. The tone tends to be measured, focusing on his effort and tactical smarts.

Interviews and Analysis

When you check out Herrera’s interviews, you’ll probably notice his calm, direct way of speaking. On Columbus Crew’s official site, he talks about adapting to the league and learning from teammates.

He brings up his time at San Lorenzo and River Plate a lot. Those years really shaped his game.

Analysts often point out how he balances defense and attack. They say his positioning and decisions reflect the discipline of someone who’s played under real pressure.

That kind of steadiness seems to matter more to fans than flashy moments. Maybe reliability is underrated these days?

Writers at Mad About College Sports highlight how Herrera reads plays early. He limits mistakes when the game shifts fast.

You can see why coaches trust him when things get tight. Listening to his interviews, you get the sense he cares way more about getting better than grabbing the spotlight.