Matt Miazga turned 21 last month — making him about the same age as Major League Soccer, which is in its 21st season. The American defender came up through the U.S. ranks and played in MLS before making the move last season to Chelsea in the English Premier League. While in Minneapolis for Wednesday's match between Chelsea and A.C. Milan at U.S. Bank Stadium, Miazga discussed the evolution of soccer in the United States with the Star Tribune's Michael Rand:
Q: Having played in Major League Soccer before going to the Premier League, what is your impression of the soccer culture in England?
A: (Laughs.) The biggest difference is that I call it football. But really, it's definitely different. The Premier League is the best league in the world. Over there in England, it's more or less like life or death. Everyone is into it and everyone is about it. It's pretty much all they show on TV. Here in America there's baseball, basketball, the NFL, all that other good stuff. It's everywhere there. There are so many teams, and the country is small, so there are supporters everywhere.
Q: Was playing in the Premier League your end goal growing up?
A: Yeah, obviously the goal is always to play at the highest level. The Premier League was the most broadcast league in America growing up, so everyone knows the big teams. To be now a part of it is very special, and I want to continue to work hard and establish myself.
Q: What about Chelsea supporters when you come to the United States — are they pretty much everywhere?
A: Yeah, I mean at training they're always there. Everywhere we go there are supporters — on the bus, at the hotel. But it's been great. The supporters make us what we are. We play for them and play for the badge.
Q: Can you envision a time, say, looking back 20 years from now when your career is over, when soccer in the United States has taken more leaps forward than it already has?
A: Yeah, that's the hope — for it to become the number one main sport here. But it's crazy because I had teammates, coaches and friends who played in MLS and were part of it when it started, and from what they tell me from then to now is unbelievable. So I can't even imagine another 20, 25 years how much bigger and evolved it will be.
Q: What was it like for you early on in your career, coming up through the New York Red Bulls Academy?
A: Playing for the academy was the thing to do. When you play for an MLS academy, that's the highest level in America — very similar to the transition in England where you grow up playing for a team's academy and if you're good enough they offer you a contract. … Playing at the highest level in America for my age was important to continue to develop — and then training with the main team at an early age, like 16 and 17.
Q: And you made your MLS debut right after turning 18, right?
A: Yeah, I had just turned 18. It's been great, obviously. Hopefully in a few more years there will be more and more homegrown [players] and the league will sign more and more young players.
