American goalkeeper Carver Miller off to strong start in Youth Bundesliga

Former D.C. United Academy goalkeeper Carver Miller earned a roster spot with Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld’s U-17 Academy squad this summer, and he is already making an impact.

The 16-year-old American recently had a successful Youth Bundesliga debut for Arminia Bielefeld’s U-17 team in a 4-1 win over Lippstadt. Miller was less than a minute away from securing a clean sheet, until Lippstadt converted a penalty kick in the closing seconds of the match.

Following his first victory between the posts, Miller missed two weeks of action due to a coronavirus outbreak at his high school, during which time he had to quarantine as a precaution, despite testing negative.

Upon returning to practice this week, Miller was one of only two U-17 players who were rostered and called up to train with Arminia Bielefeld’s U-19 team, while the U-17s had a week off. During his time training with the U-19 squad, Miller is working alongside German U-19 youth national team player Arne Schulz.

Miller has quickly earned the confidence of the Bielefeld Academy coaching staff in his first season with the club. Following multiple rounds of trials over the past year, Miller was awarded a roster spot this summer. Prior to relocating to Germany, Miller spent two years with D.C. United Academy, a year with Richmond United and several years in the youth program of the Soccer Organization of the Charlottesville Area (SOCA).