HARRISON, N.J. (September 18, 2015) – New York Red Bulls Homegrown Defender Matt Miazga has been named to the 20-man roster for the United States 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship, which will be played across the United States from Oct. 1-13. The United States will look to clinch a spot in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Miazga, a native of Clifton, N.J., will join the team on September 27. The 20-year-old has transitioned into the U-23 squad after playing a pivotal role for the U.S. Under-20s at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in June. Miazga joined the U-23s for a camp earlier this month, and featured in a match against England.
Miazga has also been a mainstay in MLS this season, appearing in 23 games for the Red Bulls, including 21 starts. Per Opta, Matt Miazga is third in MLS in aerials won with 103. Miazga leads the Red Bulls with 172 clearances in 2015, good for fifth in the league. He is also third in the league with 111 headed clearances.
The U.S. was drawn into Group A and opens with a pair of games at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas, against Canada on Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. CT and Cuba on Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. CT. The U-23's will conclude group play at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Oct. 6 against Panama at 9:30 p.m. ET
The U.S. enters the tournament having defeated Qatar in its final tune-up. In June, the team finished third at the renowned Toulon Tournament in France, defeating the Netherlands and England. The team is 6-4-0 in 2015, including a 3-0 win against Mexico in April.
The U.S. hopes to return to the Olympics for the first time since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where it posted a 1-1-1 record but did not advance past the group stage. The USA's best showing in the Olympics came during the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, when the team defeated Japan in the quarterfinals and finished fourth in the event.
