Major League Soccer (MLS) has come under fire for its decision to reject a request from the New York Red Bulls to postpone their upcoming match against Inter Miami. The request was made due to both teams having several players away on international duty, a common occurrence during FIFA international windows. Despite the growing number of teams missing key players, MLS has chosen to continue playing matches as scheduled.
Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino expressed his disappointment with MLS’s decision to deny the request for postponement. In a press conference on Friday, Martino revealed that both teams would be without six players each who had been called up by their national teams. This includes Miami midfielder Diego Gómez (Paraguay) and goalkeeper Drake Callender (U.S. men’s national team), as well as the Red Bulls’ captain Emil Forsberg (Sweden) and defender John Tolkin (U.S. under-23).
Martino acknowledged that missing key players due to international duty is a challenge that teams must navigate. He cited the example of Venezuela’s two central midfielders who both play in the MLS, emphasizing the disadvantage teams face when important players are unavailable. Despite the setbacks, Martino remained confident in his team’s ability to field a competitive lineup in the upcoming match.
One of the most notable absences from the upcoming match is eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. Initially called up by Argentina for international duty, Messi sustained a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of both club and country commitments. Martino revealed that Messi, along with fellow teammate Leonardo Campana, would have been unavailable even without the injury due to national team call-ups.
The focus for Messi’s recovery is now on ensuring his fitness for Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchups against Mexico’s Monterrey. Martino provided an update on Messi’s progress, stating that the Argentine star is gradually improving and getting closer to a return to the pitch. The team remains hopeful that Messi will be available for the crucial upcoming fixtures.
The ongoing issue of international duty clashes with MLS matches raises questions about the league’s commitment to ensuring competitive balance. Several top leagues around the world opt to postpone matches during FIFA international windows to alleviate the burden on teams missing key players. MLS’s decision to maintain its regular schedule underscores the challenges faced by clubs with international call-ups.
As more players from MLS clubs are called up for national team duty, the league may face continued pressure to reevaluate its stance on postponing matches. The absence of star players like Messi highlights the impact of international fixtures on club competitions and the subsequent strain on teams. Moving forward, MLS may need to consider alternative approaches to handle player availability during international windows.
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