Matt Miazga Not in Bruce Arena's "Immediate Plans" for USMNT

When Matt Miazga agreed to make a move to Chelsea in the last Winter transfer window, he did so knowing full well that he would have an uphill climb on a team with defensive stalwarts John Terry, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic (even if the group was struggling at the time).

Chelsea's hiring of renowned MLS-hater Antonio Conte probably spelled the end for Miazga's short-lived stint at Stamford Bridge - and that was before the team signed Brazil's David Luiz from PSG in a blockbuster deal. The same day Luiz signed on the dotted line, Miazga was shipped off to Vitesse where he has been an off-and-on player for the Netherlands outfit.

Miazga's apparent fall from MLS wonderkid to Chelsea loanee was not likely to help his status with his national team. He hasn't played for USMNT since his second-half appearance in a friendly vs Puerto Rico in May.

And even though it is now Bruce Arena's team and fresh faces appear poised to get a good look (namely Dax McCarty) Miazga does not appear to be in Bruce's plan for the USMNT January camp.

Per MLSSoccer.com, Bruce Arena said that Miazga is one of the players not in his "immediate plans".

The former LA Galaxy coach was asked about other players, including Columbus Crew SC winger Ethan Finlay and former New York Red Bulls standout Matt Miazga, presently under contract with England's Chelsea but on loan in the Netherlands. Neither of those two are in Arena's immediate plans, but somewhat surprisingly, an older name is: DaMarcus Beasley.

Miazga is on loan to Vitesse in the top flight of Dutch football. He has picked up a few first team appearances, but is not currently considered a first-choice starter. Dutch soccer will take a winter break, but returns in mid-January - so perhaps it is for the best that Miazga isn't yanked away from his club for a January training camp.

With only 12 club appearances in all competitions since the end of the 2015 MLS season, it looks like Miazga will need to gain way more minutes before he's back in the good graces of the Stars and Stripes. But Bruce Arena might want to be aware of the defender's burgeoning confidence in front of goal. Miazga scored for the first time for Vitesse in the club's last outing in the KNVB Cup: