How many Inter Miami players are going to Copa América?

how many inter miami players are going to copa américa?

Herons captain Lionel Messi will be representing Argentina but he’s not the only one with international ambitions.

Three months into the season, things are going pretty well for Inter Miami. After a disastrous pre-season tour the Herons came into the 2024 under significant pressure but they have battled their way to the top of the Supporters’ Shield rankings, albeit having played one game more than their rivals.

Superstar striking duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have already reached double figures for MLS goals and recent arrivals like Julian Gressel, Marcelo Weigandt and Federico Redondo have strengthened key positions.

However with Copa América fast approaching Inter Miami are about to face their toughest test of the season to date as their star player will be away on international duty. Across June and July Lionel Messi will miss at least five MLS games, and possibly more if Argentina progress deep in the competition.

The Herons’ record without Lionel Messi is a stark contrast to their good form with him in the team. Inter Miami have won seven of the nine MLS games in which Messi has featured in 2024. They have won only one of the five games that he has missed.

Inter Miami call-ups for Copa América

The 2024 Copa América kicks off on 20 June, with Argentina taking on Canada at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. All teams must have their final 26-man rosters confirmed by 12 June and there are a few other Inter Miami players in contention for call-ups.

Goalkeeper Drake Callender has received multiple call-ups for USMNT in the last 12 months and, although he is yet to make an appearance, could be included in the roster. Callender did not make it into the training squad for the upcoming friendly fixtures but he is likely to step in if anyone picks up an injury in the next few weeks.

how many inter miami players are going to copa américa?

Drake Callender will be hoping for a late call-up to the USMNT squad.

Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez has starred this season and had forced his way into the starting XI until picking up an ankle injury in the win over Nashville last month. The club confirmed that the Paraguayan was expected to return in six weeks, taking him up to the start of June.

Gomez, still only 21, starred for Paraguay’s U-23 team earlier this year and has already made seven senior international appearances. If he returns to the training field in early June, he could well be called up by Paraguay for Copa América.

Luis Suarez has not retired from international competition but appears to be out of favour with Uruguay head coach Marcelo Bielsa. He was omitted from the squad for recent March friendlies but is reportedly set to be named in the provisional list for Copa América.

Why doesn’t MLS stop for FIFA windows?

The Copa América and UEFA’s European Championships will be played during one of the scheduled FIFA international breaks, when much of the world’s domestic competitions halt.

However MLS, one of the few leagues that plays an ‘annual’ schedule, will keep on running through the summer. It means that some of the league’s best players, Lionel Messi chief among them, will be unavailable for their teams during a key stretch of the season. Inter Miami boss Tata Martino is not too happy with this state of affairs.

Martino said: “Fundamentally, regarding the FIFA window, the competition should stop like it does in the rest of the world. If not, what will happen is that teams will tend to sign lower quality players - ones that won’t be taken when the international break comes around.”

MLS has always ran a spring-winter calendar to reduce clashing with the United States’ other major sports leagues. Initially, when the league began in 1996, international commitments were less of an issue because MLS had fewer top-level players. As the quality of MLS grows the number of players forced to miss games due to international call-ups will grow, as will calls for a rethink of the league schedule.

OTHER NEWS

12 minutes ago

Tommy Paul holds off Lorenzo Musetti to win Queen's Club title

12 minutes ago

BBC docu-series about Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne faces 'massive stumbling block'

12 minutes ago

ANC denies FF Plus demands over Orania independence

12 minutes ago

England shocked by Gary Lineker criticism following Denmark draw

12 minutes ago

Wealth really does improve health – and here's proof

12 minutes ago

David Beckham wants World Cup winner to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami after Man Utd exit

12 minutes ago

John Swinney tries to dismiss claims in stamps row

12 minutes ago

Euro 2024 viewers furious as ITV miss goal and show Cristiano Ronaldo tantrum instead

12 minutes ago

Road safety group demands end to learner permit loophole and tougher enforcement on disqualified drivers

12 minutes ago

Padraig Harrington is looking for a third straight Dick's Open title on Sunday

14 minutes ago

Tragic pilot with 'great laugh and brilliant smile' died in plane built with misaligned fin

19 minutes ago

Sha’Carri Richardson is headed to Paris after winning the women’s 100-meter at Olympic trials

22 minutes ago

​ Murder probe is launched in Dorset holiday park after man in his 70s was found unresponsive in the water: Two people are arrested

23 minutes ago

SilverStar Mountain Resort Bike Park turns 30

23 minutes ago

Hamilton ends F1 podium drought with third in Spain

23 minutes ago

All Blacks release own version of Chasing the Sun 2!

23 minutes ago

Arsenal star's dad hits out at Euro 2024 manager after surprise benching

23 minutes ago

Man Utd ‘approach’ Van Nistelrooy in Burnley hijack as ‘changes’ mooted by Fabrizio Romano

23 minutes ago

Gary Neville predicts the two changes Gareth Southgate will make to England team

23 minutes ago

Tory ‘blame game’ begins early as Jenrick and Patel float leadership bids

23 minutes ago

New York City turns retired power station into something incredible: 'Able to power more than 10,000 households'

23 minutes ago

The Guardian view on councils in need: voters should be told what the parties’ plans are

23 minutes ago

Cleverly says aide described Rwanda policy as 'crap' for 'dramatic effect'

26 minutes ago

‘This could have been anybody’s daughter’: Vigil held for Surrey homicide victim

26 minutes ago

Israel's military is investigating an incident in which a Palestinian was strapped to a vehicle

28 minutes ago

Three-bedroom home in San Fran hits the market for $490,000 - but there's a big catch

28 minutes ago

Highly touted prospect expected to join Flyers next season

28 minutes ago

Yankees acquire J.D. Davis from Athletics for Jordan Groshans

28 minutes ago

Recapping Dubois' Year With The Los Angeles Kings

28 minutes ago

Tartan Army parties ahead of match

28 minutes ago

England and Denmark fans agree

28 minutes ago

The best Portuguese players ever

28 minutes ago

Small boat crossings since Rishi Sunak became PM set to pass 50,000 within 24 hours

28 minutes ago

Derry can't fear anybody in last eight - Harte

28 minutes ago

‘This region is special, but even many French people don’t realise it exists’

28 minutes ago

20mph sign from Welsh governments hated scheme vandalised eight times

31 minutes ago

Michael J. Fox shares sweet message for wife on her birthday: 'It's beautiful Tracy's beautiful day'

33 minutes ago

Ex Bucs DT Predicts Franchise to Claim Fourth Straight Division Title in 2024

33 minutes ago

Jack Smith Doesn't 'Mince Words' in New Aileen Cannon Motion—Legal Analyst

33 minutes ago

Dynamic duo celebrate Father's Day with horse race at Woodbine Racetrack