Inter Miami could reportedly receive a huge boost ahead of the Copa America regarding one of the Herons’ key players.
The Florida franchise are set to be gutted this summer when the Copa America kicks off in the United States, with Lionel Messi competing with Argentina whilst Luis Suarez, Matias Rojas and Diego Gomez are also in contention to be selected for their respective nations.
With Inter Miami players potentially missing as many as six games this summer depending on how far certain countries go in the Copa America, Tata Martino’s side could struggle massively in the coming weeks if all possible players are selected.
Yet one key player is seemingly set to remain with Inter Miami this summer.
Drake Callender unlikely to make USA’s Copa America squad
Speaking on Inside Inter Miami, journalist Michelle Kaufman detailed how Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender is unlikely to be named in the USA’s Copa America squad after Sunday’s squad announcement,
Gregg Berhalter named a provisional 27-man squad for an upcoming training camp in preparation for the Copa America, with Callender not named amongst the goalkeepers, a sign that the 26-year-old will stay at Inter Miami.
Kaufman said: “One thing Inter Miami can be happy about is Drake Callender was not called in for the US camp. Whilst it’s not officially the Copa roster, which won’t be announced set until later, it’s not set in stone that those 27 players will be called into camp are the same 27 who will make the roster.
“But it’s pretty well understood that there’s where the Copa roster is going to come from, and they decided to go for three goalkeepers who had experience at the World Cup and who had more experience than Drake, even though he’s had an amazing year.”
Inter Miami will be relieved that Callender is not going to the Copa America
Whilst Callender is one of the standout goalkeepers in MLS, there was never a guarantee that the Inter Miami star would be named in the US’ Copa America squad, let alone even play a minute at the tournament.
And with this week’s announcement, Inter Miami can breathe a sigh of relief over Callender not being available for the summer, with the keeper one of Martino’s most important players.
Whilst losing Messi will be tough, especially if Suarez and Rojas also compete in the Copa America, keeping Callender is a big result for Inter Miami, and one that could save them a few points in the summer.