USA star Matt Miazga named MLS defender of the year, despite being under investigation over claims he was 'forcibly removed from the referees' locker room' by New York Red Bulls security after Cincinnati's playoff win

USMNT and FC Cincinnati center back Matt Miazga was named the MLS Defender of the Year for 2023, the league announced on Monday morning. 

Miazga, 28, was given the honor six days after reports named him as the player under investigation for confronting referees at Red Bull Arena on November 4. 

Miazga won the award over a tandem of defenders from the Seattle Sounders in Tim Parker and Yeimar Gomez Andrade.  

In a video posted by Cincinnati, Miazga was told he won the award by head coach Pat Noonan in front of his teammates during practice.

'Good surprise but obviously, it's a credit for you guys,' Miazga told his teammates. 'It's just an award but we want the MLS Cup, so let's go get that, yeah?'

Miazga embarked in a playful guard of honor from his squad and was shown a video of his daughter Cecilia reacting to the news. 

On November 7, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jonathan Tannenwald named Miazga as the player reportedly removed from the officials' locker room at Red Bull Arena following an MLS Playoffs match between New York and Cincinnati. 

'This is an unacceptable and, as we recall, unprecedented violation of league policy and sporting integrity,' the Professional Soccer Referees' Association said in a statement.

'We have urged MLS to take appropriate disciplinary action against the player and to remind all league participants that violations like this will not be tolerated.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, MLS said: 'Major League Soccer is aware of the report of a player gaining unauthorized access into the officials’ locker room following the New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati match at Red Bull Arena on November 4, 2023.

'The safety of PRO officials must never be compromised and an investigation into this matter is being conducted.'

No. 1-seeded Cincinnati eliminated the No. 8-ranked Red Bulls in two games. 

However, it took a penalty shootout to go eight kickers deep for them to close out the best-of-three series. 

After successfully converting his penalty, Miazga blew kisses and made heart-shaped hand gestures towards the Red Bulls' supporter section. As a result, he was given a yellow card by referee Victor Rivas. 

Miazga was handed a game suspension for card accumulation and will therefore miss the conference semifinal against Philadelphia Union on November 25. 

Cincinnati fans started a petition for the MLS to overturn the yellow card and waive Miazga's suspension, but the league is yet to provide a response. 

Miazga played in 36 games for Cincinnati this year. 

As the anchor of FCC's defense, Miazga and company allowed just 35 goals (0.97 per game) in MLS. Cincinnati kept opposing teams scoreless in 12 of Miazga's starts as they finished with a 10-5-9 regular season record.