Bulls Abroad: Miazga called up for US U-20 MNT training camp

Soccer rumbles as the New York Red Bulls enter the off-season and MLS prepares for one last game before pitching itself into CBA negotiations.

Matt Miazga is among the few current members of the RBNY squad not focused on a lengthy vacation. He has been called up by Tab Ramos to a US Under-20 Men's National Team training camp, scheduled to run from December 3-10 in Bradenton, Florida.

Only 10 players have been called up: all outfield players.

The group has been brought together for a "fitness camp", intended to benefit players who don't currently have club duties.

The call-up is encouraging news for Miazga. We can assume he hopes to be involved in the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in January, and being one of 10 players Ramos wants to ensure stay fit and active in the build-up to a scheduled U-20 training camp in Honduras (starting December 15) suggests he is in the coach's plans for January.

This is merely the first step toward the CONCACAF tournament, so Miazga's place in the final squad is by no means assured, just as those players not summoned to the camp (like RBNY 'keeper Santiago Castano) are not suddenly on the outs.

Nonetheless, it's a positive sign for Miazga, and for RBNY. If the team intends to rebuild itself around young, academy-raised prospects, the defender fits that bill perfectly.

Doing a few fitness drills for Tab Ramos in Florida won't make or break Miazga's career, but if it helps him to arrive at the 2015 MLS season a little sharper and more experienced, then it might prove of great value to the Red Bulls' future plans.