DAILY WRAP: 2/16/2016 - Bench Press

Not a whole lot of games today, and all but 1 of our US players were bench-bound. I was not even going to bother to wrap, but Matt Miazga is such an important story..so here goes

Blackburn played Fulham today - Adam Henley was in the 18, did not play, for Blackburn. Tim Ream and Eric Hyndman were both in the 18 for Fulham, Tim Ream came off the bench at the 57th minute, Eric did not play Final: Blackburn 3 - 0 Fulham

Gboly Ariyibi, started and played 90 for England League One Chesterfield as they visited bottom placed Colchester. Chesterfield hampered their chances with a first half red card and a 2nd half missed penalty. A promising season has now turned into a relegation battle, with only 1 point from their last 5 games. Final: Colchester 1 - 1 Chesterfield

The big news of the day was Matt Miazga inclusion in the 18 for Chelsea at PSG in their Champions League first leg match-up. Matt stayed on the bench, but this is significant for Matt and an opportunity to gain regular play. Final:  PSG 2 - 1 Chelsea

In Scotland, Gedion Zelalem saw Rangers win their away game over Kilmarnock 1 - 2 in the Scottish FA Cup, from the bench!
IMHO, it begs the question why did Rangers extend Gedion's loan contract? He has played less since signing than before!

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Huge Day for Young Americans in Europe

Three Americans, all at or below 20 years old, made news worthy appearances today.

• Everyone knows by now about, 20 year old, Matt Miazga move to English Premier League's  Chelsea, which is now completed

• The first senior squad showing for 17 year old Christian Pulisic, the 6th youngest player to play in Bundesliga, in Dortmund's win over Ingolstadt

• And totally overlooked, because of those to events, 19 year old Joel Sonora's first appearance for Stuttgart's 3.Liga team.

I can't remember a day when 3 such momentus stories appeared on one day. So where from now? Obviously this is tremendous news for US Soccer, for MLS only 1 of the three featured.

Matt Miazga transfer is complete

Matt Miazga who is a USA/Poland dual (although declared for USA) is a product of the NYRB Academy, and has played for the USA at, U18, U20, U23 & Senior (he also played for Poland U18) As for club experience , he has only played for NYRB.

Pulisic vs Ingolstadt (Home) [DEBUT] 15/16 720p by guba1a from Daniel Gubala on Vimeo.

Christian Pulisic, who is a USA/Croatian dual, has spent his time in Germany within the Borussia Dortmund program, playing for their U17 and U19 teams before playing today for the senior squad.

Christian represented the USA at U15 & U17 levels (Christian played for the U17's at age 14/9months) Like Matt Miazga, only represented one club

Joel Sonora with Boca Jrs.(left)

Joel Sonora, who is a USA/Argentina dual, came through the Boca Jrs. system (with Atletico de Lujan, Club Atlético Boca Juniors - 2011-2015)started 2016 with Boca Jrs. U20 team before transferring to Stuttgart, where he is set to play in there 3.Liga side Stuttgart II. Joel has represented the USA, debuting in 2014, at the U20 level, he last appeared in the U20 World Cup squad, playing in 4 of the 5 games that the USA appeared in.

CONGRATULATIONS to all three

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RUMORS: NYRB Matt Miazga to EPL?

Photo: Bigapplesoccer.com

ESPN FC are reporting that NYRB Center Back Matt Miazga will join an as yet unnamed Premier League Club...If the report is true then we should know in the next 24 hours. Here is a partial reprint of their report (full report here).

United States international and New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga is set to be sold to an undisclosed English Premier League team within the next 24 hours, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN FC.
Miazga, 20, had less than a year to run on his current contract with the Red Bulls, and given his desire to test himself overseas, New York was left with little choice but to sell Miazga now rather than lose him for nothing at the end of the 2016 MLS season.
The Daily Mail, who first reported the story, says that the transfer fee is approximately $5 million. Miazga also possesses a Polish passport, meaning he will not have to obtain a work permit.

Taylor Twellman has tweeted:

Hearing within the next 24 hours Matt Miazga will be sold to an EPL club pending medical within the next day or 2. #RBNY #MLS

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) January 27, 2016

Can confirm that Miazga left #usmnt camp this afternoon. https://t.co/UW35yN9re6

— Doug McIntyre (@DougMacESPN) January 27, 2016

More on this as we here more.....

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