KANSAS CITY, Kan. – From the Under-20 World Cup to the US senior national squad in a matter of months?
That's a steep climb in a short time, but it's what Matt Miazga's current international coach expects to see from the New York Red Bulls center back – with a stop in between to help the United States U-23s qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“It's important to qualify. That's our dream,” U-23 coach Andi Herzog said Wednesday during a news conference at Sporting Park, where his club will open CONCACAF qualifying play on Thursday against Canada. “But even more important is that most of our players, then, have the quality to play in the men's national team, because that's the most important team.
“It's even more important to qualify for this tournament, because then all the players get experience at the highest level.”
Herzog said the 6-foot-3 Miazga, who impressed with his turn at this past summer's U-20 tournament, has the tools to make the move up to the senior level.
“He has, of course, his physical play – his size, his power, and for his power he's very mobile,” Herzog said during a conference call with reporters earlier on Wednesday. “That's what I like. And he's very good with his feet, so I think he's one of the most talented center backs in the US and hopefully he will have participation in the future in the men's national team in a couple of months. Not in years, but hopefully in the next couple of months.”
And while the 20-year-old Miazga is two years younger than many of his US teammates, Herzog said his play in MLS shows that he's capable of taking a big role with the U-23s.
“He's playing a big part in one of the best teams in the league for the New York Red Bulls, and I expect a lot of him to be a key player in the back line. For him, it should be an advantage that he's already a starting player in MLS, so he competes with the best players in North America. That's what I expect from him.”
Before Wednesday evening's training session, Miazga told MLSsoccer.com that he was aware of Herzog's remarks but wasn't thinking past the group stage that also includes matches against Cuba and Panama.
“Every game I come out, I want to go 100 percent and be the best player I can be – help the Red Bulls when I'm with the Red Bulls, and when I'm with the US, help the US and contribute as best I can,” he said. “So me focusing on getting better and playing well, hopefully the reward is good."
Miazga, who also has played as a youth international for Poland at the U-18 level, agreed with Herzog that his experience in MLS has helped him step up his game.
“Coming out every game, I feel more and more confident as a player,” he said. “Every game I play, I feel more comfortable, more confident. I feel like I'm establishing myself with the team and as a professional, and coming in and playing with the US, I want to become a leader.
“Even on this team, I tried on the U-20s to become a leader and a presence in the back. And I'm going to try to lead out tomorrow and be the best player I can for the team.”
One thing still remains to be decided, though: Who will start in goal behind Miazga and the US back line this week.
Herzog said during his conference call that Ethan Horvath will not join the squad from Norwegian side Molde FK until after this weekend's matches, leaving Charlie Horton and Zack Steffen as the options for matches Thursday and Saturday.
“We have two really good 'keepers to start the qualification, so this was the only compromise I did, with the goalkeeper,” he said. “With field players, I didn't compromise. It's not easy, with only 17 field players, to lose one for the first two games, with goalkeepers, especially with a quality 'keeper like Ethan, I compromised.”
Steve Brisendine covers soccer in Kansas City for MLSsoccer.com.
