Much like baseball pitchers don’t aim to be middle relievers, it’s not often you find a soccer player desiring to be a left back, but Moises Hernandez is carving out his niche at just that spot as he rises quickly through the ranks of both the U.S. U20 Men’s National Team, as well as professional club FC Dallas.

A member of the North Texas State ODP team from 2005-2008, Hernandez was signed up as one of the inaugural 15 players named to the FC Dallas Development Academy team in 2008. In a club team with multiple players who would eventually be signed to the professional team, Moises stood out at his attacking left back position, catching the eye of US Soccer coaches and scouts who named him to an Academy Select XI. It was from there that Hernandez would catch the eye of U20 MNT Head Coach Thomas Rongen at the Development Academy showcase and earn his first call-up to the youth national team in late 2009.

“Hes’ solid defensively and he’s got a level of aggression and for his size he’s got good speed and recovery,” said Rongen about Hernandez. “He’s very calm on the ball and a great guy in the group as well. I can’t speak highly enough about a guy we brought in a little late, but a guy we’ve always followed. We’re very happy with him.”

Perhaps the biggest moment of Moises’ career thus far would come on July 30, 2010 when Hernandez, along with Ruben Luna and Victor Ulloa were signed to play professionally for FC Dallas. Less than a week later, Hernandez would find himself on the field with the professional team matching up against Italian giants Inter Milan and his favorite player, Brazilian right back Maicon.

While Hernandez rise may seem very fast, once one gets a look at his game it’s not hard to see why coaches love him so much. Many times left back is a position in which you’re only noticed if you do something wrong, but Hernandez excels at both defending and getting forward on offense.

“I feel very pleased with Moises. I like him more every time we see him and every time we get him on the field,” said FC Dallas head coach Schellas Hyndman. “Not only is he a good defender, but he’s got the capability of overlapping and serving good balls.”

It’s that capability of overlapping as well as the danger his left foot presents from set pieces that has Moises impressing both Hyndman and Rongen.

Hernandez had been previously called in for smaller camps and tournaments, but he hit the big time with the U20 national team earning a call-up for the squad that would represent the United States at the CONCACAF U20 Championships in Guatemala.

While the US would disappointingly lose to Guatemala in the quarterfinals 2-1, getting knocked out of the tournament and failing to qualify for the U20 FIFA World Cup, Hernandez would earn his first start of qualifying in that game, playing for the US against his father’s home country.  

“It’s an honor to be called to represent my country,” said Hernandez. “To be called for qualifying feels great and with my Dad from Guatemala it means a lot.”

Hernandez, who turned just 19 in March, will now turn his attention to future international tournaments with the U20 national team as well as working to break into an FC Dallas team with three full US national team defenders in Brek Shea, Ugo Ihemelu and Zach Loyd. He’s possibly in the mix for the Olympic (U23) Qualifying process as well.

“I’ve got to learn from the veteran players so I’ll get my chance. Little things, they teach me like shape and little things you need to learn to be a great player,” said Moises. “I feel like I need more experience to make better decisions.”

As Hernandez gains this experience and learns from the professionals in front of him, look for him as a strong prospect to become a fixture in both MLS and the United States National Team setup flying up and down the left wing for many years to come.