COMMERCE, Colo. – The US Under-23 national team prepare for their final group stage match in the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship on Tuesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (9:30 pm ET, NBC Universo) having already qualified for the semifinal round based on wins over Canada and Cuba. However, US defender Matt Miazga is quick to point out they will by no means be taking it easy on a Panama side eager to make a move up in the group.
“Going into any competition we want to win,” said the New York Red Bulls center back. “That’s how I view things, and I’m pretty sure that’s how Andi [Herzog, US head coach] views things, so the goal will be any competition we’re in to win.”
“Any game you play at a high level is definitely some pressure. I’m not going to shy away from that. Going into tomorrow’s game we’re just as focused as before because it’s the game leading up to the big semifinal and we want to win our group.”
The US sit atop the Group A with six points and seven goals to the good in the goal difference category to give them some breathing room Tuesday night. Barring a US loss and a lopsided win by Canada against Cuba, the Americans will play the loser of Wednesday night’s Group B Mexico-Honduras match.
However, regardless of the opponent, Miazga remains focused on the next game up to get the US to Rio 2016.
“The goal is to qualify but obviously taking it one game at a time, focusing on each game, getting better as a team," he said. "When the big semifinal match comes up we’ll be ready. The main focus is ourselves, to maximize our strengths, and to play the way Andi wants us to play.”
The US defense has been stingy thus far – allowing just one goal in each match – and will be looking to maintain their strength through the middle of the field. “Between me and [defender Cameron Carter-Vickers] in general we have a good understanding of each other,” said Miazga. “It’s about communication. We have Wil [Trapp] in front of us as the captain, a very good player and can organize the team. That makes the job a lot easier.”
