Matt Miazga had a whirlwind year in 2015, breaking into the Red Bulls’ starting XI in his third professional season, and climbing the international ranks from an under-20 to making his first senior national team appearance in just a few short months.
Miazga was called into action for New York on opening day, after Ronald Zubar went down with injury. Miazga played himself into an everyday starting role, and the Red Bulls went 15-6-5 during the regular season with him in the lineup on the way to earning a second Supporters’ Shield in three seasons. Per Opta, the 20-year-old led New York, and finished third in MLS, with 113 aerials won. Miazga was also sixth in the league with 185 clearances, including 113 headed clearances, third-most in MLS.
The Clifton, N.J. native only missed time to play on the international stage, first with the U.S. Under-20 side at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in June. Miazga then transitioned seamlessly into the U.S. U-23s, where he attended a September camp before appearing in Olympic qualifying action in October. In November, Miazga got his first call up to the senior squad, and earned his first cap as a substitute against St. Vincent & The Grenadines on November 13 in St. Louis.
