HARRISON, NJ (January 6, 2015) – New York Red Bulls center back Matt Miazga and Red Bulls Academy Under-18 captain Derrick Etienne have been named to final rosters for the CONCACAF U-20 Championship, which will begin later this week in Jamaica. Miazga was named to the final roster for the U.S., while Etienne will compete for Haiti.
Miazga made seven MLS appearances, including six starts, for the Red Bulls in 2014. He has been a mainstay for the U.S. U-20 side, and made appearances for both the U.S. and Poland in younger age groups. The homegrown signing and Clifton, N.J. native also played for New York in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and made appearances in the MLS reserve league as well.
Etienne, who also carries a homegrown tag, was a force for the Red Bulls U-18s, leading the team to a 9-1-3 record, and the second spot in their age group in the final national rankings of 2014. Etienne appeared in all 13 games, starting 12, and recorded team-highs in goals (9) and assists (13). The Patterson, N.J., native has been with the Red Bulls Academy for six years. He also made appearances in the MLS reserve league in Summer 2014, and is committed to the University of Virginia for Fall of 2015.
The U.S., led by head coach Tab Ramos, begins its qualifying efforts on Friday when they take on Guatemala in Group A action. The Americans then face Panama two days later, Aruba on January 14, Jamaica on January 18 and Trinidad & Tobago on January 21.
Haiti will get their tournament underway against Canada on Saturday, January 10, and then face Cuba and Honduras before finishing play in Group B against Mexico on January 22.
The top four finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand beginning in May.
