CORONAVIRUS Sports Tracker: Frequent Updates

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The widespread coronavirus outbreak has impacted professional and collegiate sports across the nation.

Most recent at the top….

Hey, finally some good news!

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THE MASTERS is now postponed. Could mark first time in history that the tournament is not played in April.


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THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP is now cancelled, along with every PGA event till the first week of April.

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Charles Barkley is among the latest to self-quarantine.

 

The Heat are working on something to help arena workers. More details to come.

 

Some NBA teams are doing the right thing.

 

Dwyane Wade doesn’t understand what the local school officials here are doing.

 

The XFL has caved. So much for the rebirth… for now.

 

It’s now infecting international soccer.

 

NBA will be suspended for 30 days.

Essentially that means the regular season is over.

 

Goodbye March Madness.

 

More details on the NBA coming soon.

 

Dan Gilbert is ahead of Micky Arison on something.

One league seems intent on outlasting all the others.

The entire ACC has postponed spring practice for all teams, which may also put the Hurricanes spring game in jeopardy.

 

Fans of the Marlins will have to wait a few extra weeks…

The American Airlines Arena has canceled all major events for the rest of March.

 

There will also be no NFL Spring meeting in Palm Beach for the time being.

 

 

The National Hockey League has suspended their season as well.

 

 

 

The Florida Atlantic University basketball season is over….

NFL now headed for a shutdown. Hard to see how free agency proceeds as scheduled…

So much for that InterMiami home debut.

Yes, it is already affecting prep for the NFL draft.

We are now waiting on the NHL.

A second NBA star has been diagnosed.

 

After it was learned Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus, the NBA has suspended the season indefinitely.

 

The NCAA had already announced that all men’s and women’s basketball tournaments would be held without fans.

 

Locally, besides the Miami Heat other sporting events are being cancelled or postponed including the upcoming Miami Open.

 

Inter Miami CF Sign Rodolfo Pizarro

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For weeks there had been speculation surrounding Rodolfo Pizarro and his rumored move to Inter Miami. On Wednesday, C.F. Monterrey announced in a press release that Pizarro “unilaterally rescinds his contract with the club due to his wish to continue his sports career with the new MLS franchise in Miami.”

Although there is still no official word of the transfer fee, the number being thrown around is just shy of $12 million. The issues Inter ran into when going after Pizarro had mostly to do with the release clause and how much Paul McDonough was willing to spend. Monterrey was looking for a sum between $17 million and $20 million, but Miami was not spending that much. The Athletic reported that with the $12 million transfer fee, Inter Miami also gains 100% rights to Pizarro, meaning no sell-on clause. Miami had the option to trigger a fee around $10 million, but only retain 80% of Pizarro’s future transfer fee if he were to move on from MLS. Fans and media are still waiting on Inter Miami’s official announcement.

Rodolfo Pizarro – The Player

Pizarro will become Inter Miami’s second Designated Player, and are rumored to save the last spot for a European talent. At 25 years old, Pizarro is at a great spot in his career and has a lot to offer. On the ball, Pizarro is crafty, and loves shielding off defenders and plays low to the ground. His ability to retain possession going forward will offer the front line a lot of chances. Pizarro, when given a chance, also has the ability to score himself. Inside the box Pizarro knows how to find the back of the net.

Inter Miami head coach Diego Alonso is very familiar with Rodolfo Pizarro having coached him at Pachuca and Monterrey. Pizarro had become one of Liga MX’s top players under Alonso at such a young age, and he also became a regular with the Mexican National Team over the last couple years. His experience playing under Alonso and his talent will likely give him the starting role as Miami’s attacking midfielder. The signing could also allow Alonso to play his past desired formation, a 4-2-3-1, where the attacking midfield role is so critical.

Here is how Inter Miami CF could line up on March 1st

Head Coach: Diego Alonso

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Striker: Jerome Kiesewetter (Julian Carranza out 10-12 weeks with leg muscle injury.)

Left Winger: Matias Pellegrini

Attacking Midfielder: Rodolfo Pizarro

Right Winger: Lewis Morgan

Central Defensive Midfielders: Wil Trapp and Victor Ulloa

Left Back: Ben Sweat

Center Backs: Roman Torres and Nico Figal

Right Back: Alvas Powell

Goalkeeper: Luis Robles

You can check out the first ever Inter Miami Podcast, “The Black and Pink Show” over on Cinco Razones Deportes Network where the signing is discussed, as well as the starting XI. Included is also very insightful interview on Jerome Kiesewetter from his former club’s current podcast provider, Seriously Loco.

Inter Miami Target $15m Striker in Early MLS Show of Strength

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The day of reckoning is closing in.

Very soon South Florida will finally have the MLS soccer side it has been craving.

There have been firm plans in place for a soccer team in Miami since early 2012 when MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed the league’s interest in placing an expansion franchise in the city. David Beckham coming on board certainly helped smooth the process and as recently as December a new manager has been selected for the team.

CNN reported that former Uruguayan international Diego Alonso will take charge for their opening fixtures, the first of which comes away against Los Angeles FC. Beckham’s former club LA Galaxy is the first opponents at the Lockhart Stadium on March 14th.

Miami’s name takes inspiration from that of Italian side Inter Milan. Their full title is Football Club Internazionale Milano, whereas Miami’s full title is Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, but the similarity between the names by which their known is recognizable. Like the major teams in Europe, Miami are now involved in transfer rumors and speculation.

With the squad already firmly in place, they are now looking to add a marquee signing to their ranks to help further boost their profile. They have already added two exciting young players via the first draft; with one, Robbie Robinson, having scored 24 goals in 47 appearances for Clemson Tigers. He represents real potential for the future of the U.S. National side.

Drafts are not something Europe is familiar with, but transfer speculation is, and this winter Inter Miami are involved in their fair share of chatter. Across in Europe, several major players are looking to move with Inter Milan keenly involved in a transfer tussle; bwin reported how the Italian giants are favorites to sign Danish star Christian Eriksen as they challenge for the title in Italy. The fee is thought to be around the €15m mark ($13m), the sort of fee that Miami are also being linked with spending.

They’re not likely to attract top European talent like Eriksen, yet, but it is suggested they might loan Celtic youngster Lewis Morgan. As well as that, they’re also being touted as a possible destination for Roger Martinez. MLS Soccer reports that he could be the subject of a $15m swoop ahead of the new season.

The 25-year-old is currently playing in Mexico with Club América where he’s hit 12 goals in 56 games, coming off the back of a loan spell in Spain with Villarreal. He’s a Colombian international too, having played 18 times for his country. He’s scored twice, once against Haiti but also getting the winner in a famous 1-0 victory against Argentina in this year’s Copa America.

There’s little doubt both targets are a real show of strength from Miami. Lewis Morgan is a hot prospect in Scotland and plays for arguably one of the biggest clubs in Europe in Celtic. If they could attract him, an exciting young prospect with international ambitions, it would send a signal to the rest of the MLS.

Not quite as much as a swoop for Martinez would. He’s a player that would undoubtedly be one of their key men and who could give them hope of some level of success in their inaugural MLS season.

Inter Miami Take Robbie Robinson, Dylan Nealis in MLS SuperDraft

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Paul McDonough takes talent. Inter Miami’s Sporting Director has proven yet again that talent is most important when solidifying a roster. By taking Robbie Robinson first overall, McDonough made sure he got the top talent in the draft, and still walked out with a top defender in Dylan Nealis with the third overall pick.

Robbie Robinson is a 6’2 forward from Clemson University who dominated all year long. His 27 goal contributions (18 goals, 9 assists) in just 19 games led the country. Those numbers solidified Robinson as the top player in all of college soccer.

He was named the 2019 Hermann Trophy winner, the top prize in NCAA. Robinson led Clemson to an ACC Final appearance this year along with a Quarterfinal run in the NCAA Tournament. His quickness and will to get in behind defenders was a vital component to one of the best offenses in the country. But how will that style of play translate to MLS?

New head coach Diego Alonso is known for an attacking style of soccer. Alonso will likely use a 4-2-3-1 in which the front four are interchangable. Robinson at Clemson showed that he can be useful as a centre forward or on the wings. With Jerome Kiesewetter, Juan Agudelo, and Julian Carranza on the roster right now, it seems Carranza will carry the lone striker role. Both Agudelo and Kiesewetter have had roles in their past as wingers, but also as centre forwards, and Alonso could use this versatility in his tactics. With a versatile attacking mindset, Robbie Robinson will get his chance and Alonso’s style of play could suit him.

Nashville went on to take Jack Maher with the second pick and left Inter Miami with an easy decision. If it wasn’t going to be Maher, the next best defender in the draft was Dylan Nealis, a full back from Georgetown. Georgetown won the 2019 NCAA Championship under Nealis’ leadership and Nealis was named the top defensive player of the tournament. He had also won back to back Big East Defensive Player of the Year awards prior to being selected by Inter Miami. He will give the already signed right back, Alvas Powell, competition for starting minutes.

Inter Miami’s defensive names give the roster depth at the back line and this pick solidifies that. When an MLS defense runs thin due to injury or lack of talent, it is hard to compete in the league. With a lot of games to play this season, throughout the summer and US Open Cup matches, depth along the backline is important and McDonough turned that $150,000 in General Allocation Money into a great pick.

It is worth noting that both Nealis and Robinson are members of the 2020 Generational Adidas Class, and their salaries will not be put against the budget. This will help McDonough make a couple more non-Designated Player signings in order to use up the budget and add talent.

As the draft finished, McDonough was asked questions about the clubs last two DP slots. He was quoted saying, “The goal is to fill now… and be successful from Day 1. If you want to sign a DP in the summer, the impact he can have would be very minimal.”

“We’ve got an international winger that we’ve agreed, we’re doing personal terms with. We have a DP striker that we’ve agreed (a fee) with the club, trying to see if we can get personal terms done.”

That tells fans two things. David Silva in the summer is unlikely unless they miss on filling both DP slots, and that there’s more exciting news to come. Has this roster building process and the come up of the club felt a bit slow? Yes. Has it been underwhelming? Most certainly not.

The roster after the SuperDraft has been filled with more youth talent, and the amount of MLS veterans on the roster combined with the youth has great potential.

Inter Miami’s first ever game will be out in Los Angeles on March 1st against LAFC at the Banc of California Stadium. They will then head to D.C. before coming home for their first ever game against LA Galaxy on March 14th.

Predicting Inter Miami’s First Picks in the SuperDraft

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The flip of a coin and sending FC Cincinnati $150,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) has led to Inter Miami choosing first and third in the MLS SuperDraft.

Set to start at 12:30 PM today, the SuperDraft has left Inter fans with a lot of questions as to who the club will be taking first overall. The roster thus far has taken great shape, and Paul McDonough has had great success when it comes to roster building through the draft. There are three big names to be discussed that are all worthy of going first overall. Inter will look to get two of the three biggest prospects in college soccer.

The Three Top Prospects:

1. Forward, Daryl Dike – Virginia

Just two days ago, a major mix up in all mock drafts were announced as Daryl Dike signed the Generational adidas contract and then declared for the draft. He shot up all the boards and will leave Paul McDonough with a couple of big decisions this afternoon. As a sophomore, Dike played in 23 games at striker and finished with 10 goals and 8 assists, leading his team in both categories. He burst onto the scene and made himself a top prospect as he displayed great physical and technical ability in ACC play. Dike was also named NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament Most Outstanding Player on the offensive side after leading Virginia to the final, in which he scored but still finished runner-up after penalties. He is extremely dominant on the ball and his hold up play seemed second to none. Dike also excelled in link up play as he showed great strength and even immense speed on the ball at times. He also proved to be a more polished finisher than the previous season.

2. Forward, Robbie Robinson – Clemson

Then there’s the South Carolina native who opened everyone’s eyes and had the best season of any Division I player this year. Robbie Robinson finished his Junior year with 18 goals and 9 assists in just 18 games played. The goal number is tied for first in the country, and the assist number is tied for 10th. Robinson was by far the best striker in the NCAA and took home many awards including the equivalent to a Heisman trophy, the 2019 Hermann Award. Robinson also has experience with Charleston Battery, a USL Championship side. Following his first season with Clemson in 2017, Robinson suffered an injury which left him to sit his entire sophomore year. It proved to be the most minor of setbacks as we can all see what he did the following season. He stands just as tall as Dike at 6’2, but is listed at 170 lbs. Dike on the other hand weighs in at 220 lbs, a huge difference. The style of play differs greatly, as Robinson takes the pacey, prolific approach while Dike excels in hold up play and uses his strength and speed to gain the advantage on any defender.

3. Defender, Jack Maher – Indiana

Enough about goalscoring, should Paul McDonough secure Inter Miami’s back line with the most promising defender in all of college soccer? Jack Maher was the recipient of many awards, just like the two previous names, including All Big Ten First team. The Indiana defense, led by Maher only gave up 16 goals in 22 games. Maher even contributed to points this year as he ended the season with 4 goals and 2 assists, and 3 of those goals were game winners. Maher has also been looked at greatly as a national team talent, as he’s been called up to he U-18’s and U-23’s this early in his young career. The proven 20 year old looks to be a top 3 pick and will push to be a starter early in his MLS career.

And with the number one pick…

Paul McDonough should take Jack Maher. Their defensive signings so far have been solid, but when MLS defenses run thin, it’s hard to compete. Maher, under the guidance of Roman Torres or even talent alone could develop into a premier center back. Defenders from the SuperDraft are known to pan out much better than attackers do.

And unless Inter are extremely in love with either Robinson or Dike, Maher at number one makes the most sense. Let Nashville choose their striker at number two, that’s okay. The fact that both players are comparable enough to argue shows why taking Maher at number one seems most logical. There are plenty of center backs but none come close to Maher. Of all defenders even, Maher is the clear cut first choice and it’d be a shock to see any defender go before him. If Inter weren’t to have the 3rd pick, maybe taking one of these high profile strikers would be the logical choice. But they do have it, and this 3rd pick gives them an automatic bid at one of the two.

Now with the third pick, who do Inter want more, Robinson or Dike? In an ideal scenario, Inter ends up with Maher at number one and Dike at number three. Dike’s style of play is extremely appealing, and his physical presence exceeds any of the three forwards’ on the roster right now. When it comes to overall prospects, Dike is first on the board, Robinson is second, and Maher is third.

If Inter take Maher first, they could secure the top defender along with a top forward instead of risking losing Maher to Nashville with the second pick.

Walking out of this draft with Maher and Dike or Robinson would boost this roster in terms of depth and young talent with many more moves still up Paul McDonough’s sleeve.

 

 

Inter Miami Adds MLS Talent Through Expansion Draft

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Five selections were made on Tuesday night in the MLS Expansion Draft for Inter Miami, thus bringing more new names to the club’s first ever roster. The draft provided both expansion teams, Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, the opportunity to add players from other MLS clubs onto their roster. Inter Miami had the first pick.

A breakdown of Inter Miami’s Picks

Ben Sweat went off the board at number one and was just an overall logical pick. Left back in MLS is one of the thinnest positions league- wide. Being able to bring on someone like Sweat is extremely valuable. Although losing his starting role last year for NYCFC, Sweat has proven throughout the years he’s a reliable piece on the backline. He also fills in a position Inter Miami have not yet been able to fill. Sweat is also a Florida native, and having gone to USF and playing in Florida conditions growing up, the climate down in Fort Lauderdale come Spring should serve no issue. The 28 year old has also made two international appearances with the US Men’s National Team, debuting in October of 2018. His experience in MLS with both NYCFC and Columbus Crew will provide Sweat a leadership role on and off the pitch.

After Nashville SC went on to take Abu Danladi with their first pick, Paul McDonough announced that Inter would take a right back with their second pick. Filling out the back line seemed to be the priority for Inter Miami coming into the Expansion Draft as Alvas Powell is set to be making his way down to South Beach. The Jamaican International will most likely start at right back playing across from Sweat, and his youth and experience is something Inter Miami hope to rely on.

Powell debuted for the Jamaican national team in 2012 at 18 years old. Since then he’s gone on to be capped 43 times. It’s a remarkable record at a youthful age. Powell is a player to look forward to for Inter fans as he’s even scored six goals in his MLS career dating back to 2013. From Portland to then the expansion team FC Cincinnati, Powell has gone through the beginning of an MLS franchise before, so that experience will also be valuable.

Inter Miami brings a veteran, MLS star to the fold

A true MLS veteran was next taken by Inter Miami as Lee Nguyen, a name most MLS fans are extremely familiar with, will be joining “La Familia.” Nguyen, the once attacking midfielder saw a much deeper role last season as instructed by Bob Bradley of LAFC. Though it seems from the outside like a good move as LAFC won the Supporters Shield with the best record in MLS, Nguyen’s natural role is playing as a number 10. Throughout his 239 games played in MLS, most of the 54 goals he’s scored has come from that position.

With his experience does come some age. At 33, it was questioned whether or not Nguyen would be the player taken from LAFC in the draft or if it would be Tyler Miller. Inter Miami are confident with taking  Nguyen. He is an experienced player whose also seen time with the National Team. So look for Nguyen to be feeding in balls and sharing some interplay with the likes of Julian Carranza up top from his natural attacking mid position.

McDonough then announced that with Inter Miami’s fourth pick, they’d be taking Luis Argudo from Columbus Crew. This was much of a lesser- known pick by Inter compared to the previous three. Argudo had only entered the league from the MLS SuperDraft in 2018. At 23, Argudo is a young talent with a lot to prove. However, he’ll fit right in Miami. He’s bilingual and claims to represent both Colombian and Ecuadorian heritage along with being American. What also should be noted, Paul McDonough spent time as an assistant at Wake Forest University, which is where Luis Argudo attended college. This pick was influenced by the potential, and most likely the connection to a player from the front office, which gives insight on Argudo’s character.

Meredith will be a valuable piece to team

With Inter Miami’s final pick in the MLS Expansion Draft, they took a Seattle Sounders’ fan favorite in goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. Though he spent a lot of time as a backup in Seattle, Meredith will absolutely compete for the starting goalkeeper spot. He’s also a player any club loves to have around. He was extremely active in Seattle’s community and is also active with the MLSPA.

It’ll be great for Inter Miami to have a guy like this at least in the locker room. Time will tell if he cracks the starting lineup on March 14th against the LA Galaxy. With Tyler Miller becoming a free agent after not being taken in the Expansion Draft, arguably the best keeper in the league is up for grabs. The reports to come out of Los Angeles told that LAFC and Miller were not agreeing to terms. If Inter are willing to throw around some cash, Miller could be headed down to Miami when the free agent period opens up. That would give Meredith the ultimate test, but he surely comes as good insurance.

Inter Miami’s roster features several names

Inter Miami’s roster for the upcoming season now looks like this:

  • Drake Callender – Goalkeeper
  • Bryan Meredith – Goalkeeper
  • Ben Sweat – Defender
  • Alvas Powell – Defender
  • Christian Makoun – Defender
  • Grant Lillard – Defender
  • Lee Nguyen – Midfielder
  • Luis Argudo – Midfielder
  • Jay Chapman – Midfielder
  • David Norman Jr. – Midfielder
  • Victor Ulloa – Midfielder
  • Matias Pellegrini – Midfielder
  • George Acosta – Midfielder
  • Julian Carranza – Forward
  • Jerome Kiesewetter – Forward

 

Jerome Kiesewetter Set to Join Inter Miami

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In the week before the MLS Expansion Draft, Inter Miami CF have made multiple moves to bolster up their team going into the club’s first year. They’ve now added their 9th player to the official inaugural roster, Jerome Kiesewetter.

Kiesewetter is no stranger to American soccer or joining clubs in their first year as he spent last season with El Paso Locomotive FC in the USL Championship. El Paso’s inaugural year was quite the success. After making it to the Western Conference Semi-Final, their entire season was led by the 12 goals Kiesewetter scored in 28 games. As the top goalscorer, Kiesewetter went through the year looking like a reliable striker when he was healthy. He did battle injury along the way, but he showed consistent form when he returned to the pitch.

At 26 years of age, Kiesewetter’s experience is well surprising. Before playing with Locomotive last year, he was with Fortuna Düsseldorf of the Bundesliga for two years. And years before that he climbed through the ranks of German soccer starting in youth academies and eventually making his way to the first division.

His 17 caps with the US Men’s U-23 side and 2 caps with the National Team, are another great feat in Kiesewetter’s young career. He’s scored a total of 8 goals playing with various US Men’s sides. This, along with top tier soccer in Germany, seem to prove as worthy experience as Beckham looks to bring in goal scoring threats to his first Inter Miami side.

Inter Miami also went on to acquire Grant Lillard, an experienced MLS defender before the Expansion Draft that takes place this Tuesday. With nine players set to already join, and a potential five more to be added Tuesday, the roster has finally taken shape.

Fans now wait for the much anticipated coach and “star” to be announced.

 

Meet Inter Miami’s Three Newest Players

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Inter Miami CF have been busy the last 48 hours when it comes to bringing players down to South Beach, or Fort Lauderdale for now. They’ve gone on to acquire three players as well as  the first pick in Stage 1 of MLS Re-Entry draft. Victor Ulloa, Drake Callender, and Jay Chapman have all been acquired as we are now starting to see a real roster being built leading up to the Expansion Draft.

Victor Ulloa, a defensive midfielder who has been in the league since 2011, makes his way from FC Cincinnati by way of trade to Inter Miami. Ulloa has had a very respectable career in the MLS as his long tenure in Toronto earned him over 150 games played. At 27, he is, for now, the oldest player on the roster, as well as the one with the most MLS experience by miles, so the  club will be looking at him to bring that veteran presence as he commands the midfield. 

Inter then acquired homegrown rights to Drake Callender, a goalkeeper who currently is playing at the University of California. Inter did give away a second round pick in the 2020 MLS Superdraft for him, so there’s a lot to be told about his talent. He’s kept 15 clean sheets in 52 games for his school, been with the San Jose Earthquakes academy for 6 years, and he also received an invitation to the US’s U-23 training camp in September. His homegrown rights being with Inter are important as the club looks to build for now as well as the future, but still look for that first choice keeper to come along either in the Expansion Draft or later.

And most recently, Jay Chapman is headed over to Miami from Toronto FC. At 25 years old, Chapman has earned himself a couple of international appearances with the Canadian National team, and is now being brought over from the MLS Runners-up to take up a central-midfield role. Chapman and Ulloa will be the only two players so far that are coming straight from an MLS side. They’ll both be joining David Norman Jr. as the first couple of players with league experience.  

These three, Ulloa, Callender, and Chapman, are the final players coming into the team until the MLS Expansion Draft on November 19th. Waivers and free agency will commence six days later, and of course then the international transfer market window will open on January 1st. There’s a lot to look forward to as an Inter supporter with the incoming players, the building progression of the clubs first home at Lockhart, and then the first home game being announced (vs. LA Galaxy, March 14). The start of Miami’s first MLS side is in full swing.

Inter Miami gets first big win

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As incoming teams, Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC both took part in the Expansion Priority draft in New York City today.

As results of a coin toss, the clubs would alternate picks choosing five different ways to help start building their teams.

  1. Number 1 pick in 2019 MLS Expansion Draft
  2. Number 1 pick in 2020 MLS SuperDraft
  3. Number 1 position in Allocation Ranking Order
  4. Penultimate position in MLS Re-Entry and End-of-year Waiver Order
  5. Penultimate position in Discovery Player Ranking

The coin flip was in Inter Miami’s favor, and the club walked away from New York City with both the first pick in the Expansion Draft and the first pick in the SuperDraft. They’ll be able to secure their most favored target with MLS experience and also take their top ranked rookie, barring any trades.

 

Inter Miami have already started building up their roster and have been linked to some major moves. With top priority in both of these drafts, the pieces seem to be falling well for Inter in its inaugural season.

 

The 2019 MLS Expansion Draft will take place on November 19th where both Inter Miami and Nashville will be coming away with up to five players from teams already in the MLS (Exempt teams are D.C. United, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, and the New York Red Bulls.) Only 12 players are allowed to be protected by each team, so it seems almost a sure thing MLS proven talent will be headed to South Beach.

 

Silva signing shows Inter Miami roster coming together

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The Independent has reported that Inter Miami CF are likely to sign David Silva. From the beginning the club was almost built off the idea that they would bring in at least one major name to be the face of the franchise.

David Silva, a World Cup winner and recent Premier League champion, and someone who at the age of 33 played in over 40+ games for the champions of English soccer, is an ideal place to start.

Since 2010, Silva has been a dominant player for Manchester City whos been very consistent at the highest level.

After his arrival from Valencia, City have won four Premier League titles with Silva making a major impact every year. He’s a creative midfielder who excels at keeping the ball at his feet and is one to make all the right passes.

If Silva joins Inter Miami, owners David Beckham and Jorge Mas will be looking to build a team around his quality midfield abilities.

That team that will allegedly be around Silva has already taken shape. Matias Pellegrini, Julián Carranza, Christian Makoun, David Norman Jr. and Miami Native George Acosta are the first five official signings, with Pellegrini being the first reported designated player for Inter. Silva would likely take up the second of the three DP spots on the roster.

A designated player on an MLS roster is one whose earnings do not count fully towards the salary budget. The MLS allows teams up to three players per roster to be these said designated players, and clubs will use these spots for known stars and incoming young talent.

In Pellegrini’s case, he will be considered a young designated player, and the salary charged to the budget will be $150,000. For someone like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will make over $7 million this year from LA Galaxy, the club’s salary budget is only charged $480,625. The MLS salary budget for the clubs senior roster, up to 20 players, is $4,240,000.

At 19 years of age, Matias Pellegrini will be joining Inter Miami from Estudiantes, an Argentine first division side. In his first season with Estudiantes he was responsible for 4 goals and 1 assist in 19 games. He’s a young talent who is bound to be developed by Inter, and he’ll have to look forward to playing on the left wing next to Julián Carranza, who happens to be Argentine as well.

Also 19, Julián Carranza is heading to Miami from Club Atlético Banfield, another Argentine first division side. Carranza is a young talent who worked his way up from Banfield’s U20 side all the way to the first team in a matter of a couple years.

The last two seaons, Carranza has played in a total of 32 games for Banfield, and has managed to slot in 19 goals and give off 9 assists on top of that. An extremely impressive record at any level of football. He’ll look to be that goal scoring threat for Inter come 2020.

Christian Makoun, another 19 year old (are we seeing a pattern here?), is a center back who will be coming over to South Florida after playing with Juventus in Italy, and Zamora, a club from his home country of Venezuela.

This was Inter Miami’s first defensive signing, and like their first pair of players, will look to be developed as a young star in the club’s early years.

The first North American acquisition for Inter happens to be a Canadian International whos currently on loan at Pacific FC.

David Norman Jr. plays in the Canadian Premier League, but has been on the mainstage of the MLS whilst playing for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The 21 year old is a known attacking midfield player, whos had 3 appearances for the Canadian U23 side.

And with the clubs most recent signing, they’ve decided to sign yet another 19 year old player, George Acosta. A United States international whos hometown happens to be Miami, Acosta will be headed over from Austin Bold FC, a USL Championship club. Acosta has spent time in Argentina playing with Boca Juniors, and scored a goal in the U17 World Cup with the US.

It seems as though youth is the priority here, and the five officially announced young players will be joining Inter Miami CF in January 2020.

If David Silva were to sign, he’d likely miss a couple of months of the season as the Premier League would be in full swing come January. A mid season transfer for Silva in the Summer Window of 2020 is something for Inter fans to really get excited for. If not, youth talent and the conception of an MLS club in South Florida has already seemed to do the trick.