MLS: Miazga: Our Superstar this season is the team

Miazga will turn 20 in July and is hoping for good things to come not only this year. Foto: Danny Blanik

It's been three months since we've crown a 2014 MLS Champion. The break was long, but not for you, right?

Matt Miazga: No, due to my U20 national call up I was very busy. First I went from one camp to another and then played five games at the CONCACAF championships, in which we qualified for the Youth World Cup. And right after that I flew to Qatar to spend some time with the Red Bull Lepizig team, so on top of playing there was also a lot of travel. At the end I was a little tired and winded out, but also very content. If you want to play soccer and be a professional athlete that's what your life looks like and I won't complain about anything. I played for my country against an elite competition, so this experience could not get any better than that.

What was that Qatar trip like? Seems like it was not the smartest of calls, because you came back injured?

M.M.: Well, seemed like my body needed rest and I got it thanks to the injury (laughter). When we were still in Jamaica with the U20 team - right before we played El Salvador - I got a call from New York that Red Bull Leipzig wants me to spend some time with them at their preseason camp in Doha. I've trained with them before and they wanted to check on my development, see my progress. But on the second day during the scrimmage I got hurt and could not continue. The injury - a real bad case of Charley Horse and a little tear of the quad - was worst than I expected so I had to come back to New York. Here I began my rehab right away and thanks to our medical staff magic 2.5 weeks later I was back at 100%.

You've came back to New York to meet a totally new Red Bull team. New Sporting Director, new coaching staff, new defense - what was it like to step into the locker room for the first time?

M.M.: It was exciting! Like you said - everything was new, not only faces, but our system and identity. But I believe that all these changes are for the better. On the field our guys are looking sharp, they work very hard in training and are eager to learn from coach Jesse. Off the field the group has come together like never before. We really cannot wait to show the fans what we have in stock against KC.

And what if the fans don't really care? Some of them turned their backs on the team for firing Mike Petke...

M.M.: All I can say in that regard that it was their personal opinion and I am not going to judge them.

Coach Marsch said that "Miazga will be
the biggest component of the club's
success over the coming years".
Foto: Danny Blanik

You said that thanks to the injury you got some well deserved and needed rest. But at the same time you missed out on part of the preseason and had less opportunities to showcase yourself in front of the coach. Do you think you've done enough to convince coach Marsch to start you along Zubar at center defense on Sunday in the season opener?

M.M.: I don't know, coach has not announce our line up yet. I don't think my chances improved or not because of my injury, because in essence everybody got a fresh start. It's a new season and there are no guarantees. I know that I have to impress every time I am on the field, but if I am on the bench I will be the first one to cheer my teammates on. My role is to work hard every day, use all the resources we have, learn from our great coaching staff and do whatever my coach wants me to do to fit his style and his system.

Last year you only played about a dozen of meaningful games, which was a shame, because at your age you should be on the field as much as possible. Seems like this season this won't be the case, because of a Red Bull II team coached by another American Pole John Wolyniec. What's your take on that team?

M.M.: It's good that we have it. It offers a better connection between the first team and the academy/college players and a better transition for all the young guys. John Wolyniec is a great coach, who will make sure that all the players are always ready to contribute to the first team.

In the past years the pressure of winning was omnipresent with Henry and Cahill. Now that they are gone the pressure also seem to be somewhat gone. Is that the general feeling? Could getting rid of the superstars inexplicably help the team?

M.M.: Even though we might not have superstars on paper I feel like the real Superstar is the team itself. We're all in it together - and that's the general feeling. As far as pressure - we are professional athletes, so the pressure will always be there as long as your goals are to win championships. And that still is our goal.

Is your goal also to be better of the NYC teams? Looking forward to a true NYC derby games?

M.M.: It's gonna be really exciting! Having a closer rival than DC or Philly will be great for the fans and for New York as well. It's all about Yankees/Mets, Brooklyn/Knicks, Islanders/Rangers so now we will have NYC FC vs NY Red Bulls. I am looking forward to stopping David Villa especially at home, where we have the best fans in the country, who - when the Arena is filled - can provide the best atmosphere. It's going to be awesome!

In July you'll turn 20 years old. How would you sum up the ride so far and where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

M.M.: I have been blessed with the opportunities that I've got and I am thankful for everything that happened in my life so far. I have no regrets because I believe everything happens for a reason. I am very happy to be where I am and in the next 5 years I hope to better myself as a person and as a soccer player so I could play at the highest level.

One of your early birthday gifts could be advancing past the group stage of the U20 World Cup. In New Zealand you'll play the hosts, Ukraine and Myanmar. Clearly a much better matchup than four years ago with France, Spain and Ghana. Walk in the park?

M.M.: My first birthday gift would be to make the World Cup roster. As far as the competition I would not say that it will be easy, because all the teams that got there earned it in their respective regions. It's a fair draw and with our group of very talented players we can do the job. But it definitely will not be a walk in the park.

So another exciting, yet a bit complicated season ahead of you. If you do make the WC roster, you won't be playing for your club team. Do you see it as a drawback or a challenge?

M.M.: I see it as an honor and an opportunity. It will be tough to split the time between the national and club team, but that's part of the professional athlete's life. I am looking forward to it and vow to give my best both for the club and the country.