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20. MATT MIAZGA
Defender
Born: Clifton, New Jersey,
USA
- 19 July 19959
Height: 6' 4"
Weight:
Previous Club: New York Red Bulls
International: USA
Signing Date: 30 January 2016
Chelsea Appearances
Chelsea Goals Scored
From Clifton, New Jersey, Miazga joined the
New York Red Bulls Academy in 2009 at under-14 level. While with the under-16
side Miazga helped the Red Bulls win the U.S. Developmental Academy National
Championship in 2012.
In 2013, Miazga had signed a letter of intent to play for
the Michigan Wolverines men's soccer program. However, after playing in several
spring season friendlies, Miazga rescinded his scholarship offer, to play for
the Red Bulls at the professional level.
On May 30, 2013 it was announced that Miazga had signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls, becoming the eighth player to sign a homegrown contract with the Red Bulls. Miazga made his first-team debut at the age of 18 as a substitute in 76th minute of a 4–1 win at Houston Dynamo on September 8, 2013. During the 2015 season, Miazga established himself as a starter on the club forming a partnership in the backline with Damien Perrinelle. On June 28, 2015 Miazga scored his first goal as a professional in a 3–1 derby victory over New York City FC. After strong performances against NYCFC's David Villa and Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco, Miazga became regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league. His strong defensive play throughout the 2015 season helped New York win their second Supporters' Shield in three years by having one of the strongest defenses in the league.
On January 30, 2016, Miazga joined Premier League club Chelsea on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a reported £3,5 million ($5 million). On 2 February 2016, new signing Miazga was given the number 20 jersey for the remainder of the 2015/16 campaign.
Miazga played one match for the Poland
Under-18 team in 2012. Since 2012, he has played only for United States youth
teams.
In May 2013, Miazga played for the United States Under-18
side that participated in the 19th Annual International Juniors Tournament in
Portugal.[10] In August and September 2014, Miazga turned down two separate
call-ups to the Poland Under-20 team. He cited previous commitments to the
United States Under-20 team and maintained he had not made a final decision
about which nation to represent at the senior level. In October 2014, Poland
U-20 coach Marcin Dorna stated that he had not given up on Miazga and that the
Red Bulls player might still play for his team. Miazga played for the United
States Under-20 team at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship and helped the team
qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
On November 5, 2015, Miazga was quoted as saying: "I'm
totally undecided. I’ll wait to see who calls me first to the main national team
and see what happens then.” The following day, Miazga received his first United
States call-up for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers matches. Miazga
earned his first senior cap against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on November
13, 2015, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute in a 6–1 win at the Busch
Memorial Stadium in St. Louis.