MLS
Martino’s Miami conundrum with Messi and other key players absent
The Florida franchise has a week without games as Tata Martino’s squad regroup without key players heading to the Copa América.
There is no let-up in the schedule for Inter Miami as the MLS season rolls on despite high profile tournaments such as the European Championship and the 2024 Copa America set to commence imminently.
Leo Messi is already training with the Argentina team and midfielder Matias Rojas, who has impressed since joining from Corinthians in April, is likely to be named in Paraguay’s Copa squad. Striker Leo Campana is also expected to be called up by Ecuador.
Benjamin Cremaschi has been named in the US Olympic soccer team’s roster for a June squad meet-up, while Finnish winger Robert Taylor is on friendly duty with Finland as is Ukrainian centre-back Serhiy Kryvtsov with the defender not being selected by Rebrov for the national team ahead of their Euro 2024 campaign which offers some respite to Martino.
Everything points to veteran Luis Suárez not being called up by Marcelo Bielsa with Uruguay which will be a small bonus for Tata Martino with the coach now facing a key stage of the season without key personnel.
Next up for Inter Miami is an away game against Philadelphia Union with the coaching staff having to make a decision on sticking with the traditional 4-3-3 formation or modifying given the absences with the Herons set to lose the bulk of their attacking firepower.