Tim Parker and Aaron Long are ready to continue their centerback pairing at the National Team level.
Both called in for the United States Men's National Team friendlies against Brazil and Mexico, the Red Bulls tandem feel comfortable and ready to play together on the international stage.
"Hopefully, getting some minutes in that kind of a game would be good for us," Parker said ahead of training at Red Bulls Training Facility on Tuesday.
Parker earned a second-straight call up after earning his first senior cap against France in June. The 25-year-old started and played the full 90 minutes to help the USMNT earn a 1-1 draw with the eventual 2018 FIFA World Cup Champions.
"That would be a big plus for me," Long said about playing with Parker. "He's my partner in crime. Playing with him at the club level makes it that much easier to play with him at this level."
Long was called into national team camp for the first time at any level. Long has had a meteoric rise over the last few seasons with New York, earning 2016 USL Defender of the Year honors with New York Red Bulls II and earning a starting spot in MLS the following season. He was recently a starter on the 2018 MLS All-Star team.
The defensive pair are also joined in camp with Tyler Adams, which is helping each player be more comfortable and familiar around the rest of their teammates.
"Having Tim and Tyler here is a big one," Long said. "Being close to home, being at our Training Facility, it's a good first game for me."
The three Red Bulls will look to take on Brazil at MetLife Stadium on Friday, Sept. 7. From there, the team will travel to Nashville to face Mexico at Nissan Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
