by RUSS McKENZIE

HARRISON, N.J. -For those fearing over the future of Matt Miazga with the New York Red Bulls, there is some good news to share.



The budding U.S. Men’s National Team star is locked in with the Red Bulls for at least one more year, with the possibility of another at the club’s option.

Miazga has been a mainstay on defense since Ronald Zubar went down with injury earlier this season. With starting minutes in hand, Miazga has established himself as one of the best defenders in Major League Soccer, and in addition to that, earned a call up to the US Men’s senior team for a World Cup Qualifier in mid-November.

All in all, Miazga feels fortunate for his experiences this year. “It’s definitely been a good year for me in general, playing a lot of minutes, and trying to establish myself as a professional,” he said.

Midfielder Sacha Kljestan, for one, sees the bright future for the young Polish-American. “Matt Miazga has turned himself into a national team player,” he said. “If you look back on all the (clubs) that have done well over over a four or five year period, they’ve had that consistency, that identity and they’ve continued on with that.”

Earlier in the year, Miazga took part in the U-20 World Cup, and was one of the bright spots for in that campaign for US Soccer. During the 2015 season, Miazga earned his first career goal vs NYCFC. Over his 26 appearances, he amassed 7.1 clearances per game, good for 4th overall in the league, just behind former Red Bull Jamison Olave.

With the focus on continuity, Miazga is likely to be an important piece of the Red Bulls puzzle moving forward. However, it is worth mentioning that there has been interest two seasons in a row from the Austrian ownership group to bolster their European properties with the promising young centerback.

Of course, no young prospect in MLS goes without being linked to a European club if his talent level is high, and Miazga is no exception to that either. Last month, it was rumored that he had turned down an offer from 2014-2015 English Premier League champions Chelsea. When asked about it, he quickly answered, “I don’t know anything about that.”