Matt Miazga

BIOGRAPHY

Matt Miazga was born July 19, 1995 in Clifton, New Jersey. He is a defender in Major League Soccer.

From Clifton, New Jersey, Miazga attended Clifton High School for one year before he left and joined the New York Red Bulls Academy in 2009 at under-14 level. While with the under-16 side, Miazga helped the Red Bulls win the U.S. Soccer Development Academy National Championship in 2012. In 2013, Miazga had signed a letter of intent to play for the Michigan Wolverines men's soccer program. However, after offers from Europe and the New York Red Bulls, Miazga turned down his scholarship offer to play in college and signed with the Red Bulls at the professional level.

On May 30, 2013, it was announced Miazga had signed a homegrown contract with the New York Red Bulls, becoming the eighth player to sign a homegrown contract with the club. Miazga made his first-team debut at age 18 as a substitute for Markus Holgersson in the 76th minute of a 4–1 win at Houston Dynamo on September 8, 2013. Miazga started playing more frequently during the 2014 season. Also, in August 2014, he signed an endorsement deal with Nike and played in the Major League Soccer Homegrown Game. Miazga made his CONCACAF Champions League debut in a 1–1 draw against the Montreal Impact on October 22. During the 2015 season, Miazga established himself as a starter for the club, forming a partnership in the backline with Damien Perrinelle. He was sent off for two bookings in a 2–1 victory against New York City FC in the first ever Hudson River Derby match on May 10. On June 28, he scored his first goal as a professional in a 3–1 derby victory over the same opponents at Yankee Stadium. He celebrated by pretending to swing a baseball bat, making fun of the fact that their rivals play in a baseball stadium. Miazga was sent off for the second time of the season on September 25 in a 5–2 loss to Orlando City SC at the Red Bull Arena. After strong performances against New York City FC's David Villa and Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco, Miazga became regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league and earned MLS team of the week appearances four times throughout the season. His strong defensive play throughout the 2015 season helped New York win their second Supporters' Shield in three years by having one of the strongest defenses in the league. At the end of the season, the Red Bulls offered Miazga a designated player deal which would have made him one of the highest paid players on the team. However, Miazga turned down the offer, stating his desire to play in Europe.

On August 5, 2022, it was announced that Miazga had returned to the United States, signing with MLS side FC Cincinnati on a three-and-a-half year deal.