New York Red Bulls center-back Matt Miazga could earn a spot in the United States senior side in the coming months, under-23 national team coach Andi Herzog says.
Miazga, 20, is just a few months removed from playing for the U.S. at this summer's under-20 World Cup and will start for the U.S. under-23s during CONCACAF Olympic qualifying this week.
And speaking ahead of their first game on Thursday, Herzog said it won't be long until the Red Bulls' 6-foot-3 young star is playing for Jurgen Klinsmann.
"He has, of course, his physical play -- his size, his power, and for his power he's very mobile. That's what I like," Herzog told reporters on Wednesday.
"And he's very good with his feet, so I think he's one of the most talented center-backs in the U.S. and hopefully he will have participation in the future in the men's national team in a couple of months. Not in years, but hopefully in the next couple of months."
Klinsmann's senior side has struggled to find a consistent center-back partnership in recent months despite having trying quite a few combinations involving John Brooks, Ventura Alvarado, Tim Ream, Omar Gonzalez and more.
But Herzog said Miazga will have a chance to shine with the under-23s this month.
"He's playing a big part in one of the best teams in the league for the New York Red Bulls, and I expect a lot of him to be a key player in the back line," Herzog said.
"For him, it should be an advantage that he's already a starting player in MLS, so he competes with the best players in North America. That's what I expect from him."
Miazga said he wasn't prepared to look past Olympic qualifying at this point.
"Every game I come out, I want to go 100 percent and be the best player I can be -- help the Red Bulls when I'm with the Red Bulls, and when I'm with the U.S., help the U.S. and contribute as best I can," he told MLSsoccer.com. "So me focusing on getting better and playing well, hopefully the reward is good."
Miazga has played a key role in helping the Red Bulls to the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings as the MLS regular season winds down, and the New Jersey native said he feels as though he's constantly improving in MLS.
"Coming out every game, I feel more and more confident as a player," he said. "Every game I play, I feel more comfortable, more confident. I feel like I'm establishing myself with the team and as a professional, and coming in and playing with the US, I want to become a leader.
"Even on this team, I tried on the U-20s to become a leader and a presence in the back. And I'm going to try to lead out tomorrow and be the best player I can for the team."