Miazga: Playing in Brazil was awesome

Miazga (3rd from the right in the last row) and the U23 team in Brazil. Foto: ussoccer.com

In the last few months a 19-year old Red Bull defender Matt Miazga played more with the US youth national teams than his home club. Tonight, a week after his first stint with a U23 team he will suit up for a CONCACAF Champions League game vs Montreal Impact, which - despite the standings - he does see as meaningless. 

Tomek Moczerniuk (www.papatomski.com): How was your U23 trip to Brazil week? 

Mateusz Miazga: Even though it was much shorter than the U20 one in September in Argentina it was great. It went by really fast. We spent a few days in Brasilia, trained, got to know each other and at the end played against a soccer powerhouse in their own backyard. Personally I gained plenty of valuable experience and obviously I saw what is needed at the next level of international football - that being the Olympics.

Let's talk about the game a little bit. Was the 0:3 score fair?

M.M.: I wouldn't say it was fair, because we had a lot of clear-cut chances, which we did not finish. I thought there was spell in a game at the beginning of the second half were we took control. Mario Rodriguez could've easily had two goals alone, Jordan Morris and Dennis Flores had their opportunities as well. But that's the game of soccer - sometimes it's cruel, when one team doesn't score the other team will. And that's what Brazil did with their chances.

You played last 30 minutes and were on the field when Brazil scored twice. Could these goals have been prevented?

M.M.: I think so and I do feel partially responsible for that. Whenever a goal is scored against us it's my fault in a way. I play in the center of defense and it's my job to not let the opponent score.

How was it to play in the World Cup arena with 10,000 people in attendance?

M.M.: I have played in front of bigger crowds in the MLS, but this was the biggest one I played for in terms of my international experience. The atmosphere was unbelievable and a feeling to play in a World Cup stadium - especially against a nation like Brazil in their capital - was just awesome.

What does it mean for you to face football giants - Argentina and Brazil - prior to your olympic qualifiers?

M.M.: It's always a huge test to play such powerhouse nations in the game of soccer, but it prepares us well for what's ahead of us. Since they are one the best teams we know what level we need to bring to compete and beat teams like Brazil and Argentina.

In the meantime Poland U20 - which you got a call for as well - beat Italy and Switzerland in a Four Nation Tournament. Were you surprised how well they’ve done?

M.M.: Yes! I've seen the highlights of the Italy game and I followed the score of the Swiss game. It was good to hear that they have won both games!

Tonight you will be back in the Red Bulls starting line up. Do you think it will be a meaningless game?

M.M.: Even though we are out of the CL this game will be far from meaningless for us players. I think it's good to get a game for most of us that haven't gotten many minutes this year. We also want to impress the coaches and show them that they can count on us come playoff time. We're ready to play and contribute and personally I am very excited to be back on the starting XI.