ASN: Matt Miazga Discusses His Good Run in Netherlands

The New Jersey native knew he was selecting a difficult profession path when he signed with Premier League powerhouse Chelsea. At present on mortgage with Vitesse, Miazga stays satisfied he made the fitting transfer. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
March 08, 2017
12:00 PM

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THIS TIME LAST YEAR Matt Miazga was on cloud 9.

The Clifton, N.J., native had established himself as probably the greatest central defenders on the U-20 World Cup, gained the Supporters Protect and an MLS Finest XI nomination with the New York Purple Bulls, and was a part of the U.S. nationwide staff program. After which European powerhouse Chelsea lured him to London.

What a distinction a 12 months makes. Miazga will not be presently a part of the nationwide staff program and constant taking part in time is proving troublesome to return by—even at Dutch facet Vitesse, the place he’s now on a season-long mortgage. Miazga is undaunted, nonetheless, and believes that is all a part of the method younger gamers have to take in the event that they wish to reach Europe and play alongside the perfect on the earth.

“I had a good string of games earlier in the season but for whatever reason I wasn’t playing a bit anymore,” Miazga advised American Soccer Now from Arnhem. “That matures you and helps you as a participant since you understand, ‘Wow, generally issues do not go your means in soccer and you must discover a new reply.’ For me, I used to be coaching very, very hand and dealing laborious off the pitch as effectively after coaching to get again into the squad.

“In soccer generally you get fortunate and also you get one other probability. I’ve gotten my probability this previous month and I’ve made positive that after I bought my probability towards, I would not let it go. Up to now I’ve carried out very well and it has been going effectively.”

Miazga, 21, noticed his alternative come on February 11 when central defender Maikel van der Werff went down with an damage. Added to the beginning lineup, Miazga promptly put in his finest performances since coming to Europe in 2016—two robust showings that earned him a spot on the Eredivisie Crew of the Week in a number of main publications.

Final week he went the gap in a 1-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam within the Dutch Cup semifinal. That was important in that it offers Vitesse an opportunity to play for its first main trophy courting again to its founding in 1892. 

“We have never won a trophy in the whole time the club has existed,” Miazga mentioned. “It’s also been 25 years since we’ve been to the final of a competition. It’s good and the whole city is excited. Everyone is very happy at the club. For me it was also another 90 minutes to continue to progress. At the end of the day, it would also be another trophy I can add to my case. I already have two Supporters Shields and now hopefully a trophy for the Dutch Cup.”

If Miazga can stay in Vitesse’s beginning lineup for the rest of the season, together with the Dutch Cup closing on April 30, it should arrange an fascinating second half of the 12 months. He might start preseason with Chelsea, who’ve intently monitored his progress, however his efficiency at Vitesse might additionally earn him a spot on that squad or arrange one other mortgage to maybe a much bigger league in Europe.

“When that time comes, we’ll get together and see what’s best for me and the club,” Miazga defined. “I signed for Chelsea to play for them at some point. I do know that could be a course of in itself. I had the chance to be a part of the primary staff squad final 12 months. Now I’m on mortgage, growing, and studying however the aim is to play for Chelsea sooner or later. When that point comes, we’ll consider it however proper now I’m specializing in Vitesse, getting video games, and successful video games right here.

“I’ve been in contact with Chelsea a lot,” he added. “The coaching and the loan program is very good. They keep in touch with you usually after every game. They even have an app on your phone and they analyze each game you play. They analyze all of your touches, all the plays that you’re involved in, they tell you what you can do you better, where to improve, and what you’re doing well. They monitor all the guys on loan.”

The Dutch league has been a superb touchdown spot for a lot of younger Individuals—Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, DaMarcus Beasley are three of probably the most distinguished examples the previous decade. Additionally it is the house of American prospect Desevio Payne and, till not too long ago, Rubio Rubin.

Famous for its emphasis on younger gamers, Miazga believes the Eredivisie has added new points to his sport.

“It’s been very good,” Miazga mentioned. “Obviously it’s very different from MLS and the Premier League. In Holland it’s very technical and there are a lot of young players. Holland is a very good place for developing. I’m learning a lot. The coaches really focus on playing out of the back and playing a very technical game. I am learning different tactics as well. It’s a different league and a different culture off the field as well. I feel like I’ve matured as a player and as a person off the field.”

If Miazga continues to progress, it’s potential that he might return to the U.S. nationwide staff before later. He made his first-team worldwide debut underneath former head coach Jurgen Klinsmann in a World Cup qualifier that cap-tied him to the US. At the moment, Poland—with whom he has twin citizenship by way of his dad and mom—was displaying curiosity.

Miazga says there’s “no bigger honor” than to signify his nation and he’s hoping to get again into the fold however he has no indication when that will probably be. Up to now, he was in frequent contact with Klinsmann however has but to listen to from new boss Bruce Enviornment. In a web-based discussion board in December, Enviornment did say he was monitoring Miazga’s progress.

For now, Miazga is happy with the place issues stand. He’s assured from his current performances and he nonetheless adopted the progress of American soccer from the Netherlands. Specifically he was excited concerning the U.S. U-20 staff’s upset win over Mexico and the beginning of the season for his former membership, the New York Purple Bulls.

He’s proud to signify American soccer in Europe and acknowledges that he took a difficult profession path as a result of signing for a prime membership like Chelsea requires a really excessive stage to get on the sector (which he did twice in 2016).

Regardless of the obstacles forward of him, Miazga hopes others observe in his footsteps as a result of he believes the expertise is there and that it’ll solely assist to raise all areas of American soccer—together with MLS.

“It’s definitely different playing every game and then coming to Europe but I’ve made it known I came to Europe to test myself and challenge myself and play against top European competition,” Miazga mentioned. “As an expert you at all times should be sharp and while you’re not taking part in, you must work even more durable to enhance weaknesses in order that while you get an opportunity, you’re prepared. That’s the hardest half as a result of you will get annoyed while you’re not taking part in, and get mad. However you must proceed to be skilled and as a younger participant you must be affected person. Whenever you get that probability, all of your laborious work will decide it. It’s laborious. That’s simply the truth.

“There are a lot of good players in America and the more that come here to Europe in order to challenge themselves, football will grow back in America. It will help [MLS] too as well. There are a lot of different aspects in that. We’re growing.”