<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/"><strong>Lionel Messi</strong></a> has seen <strong>Inter Miami</strong> undergo significant changes during the 2025 summer transfer window, with goalkeeper <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/drake-callender/"><strong>Drake Callender</strong></a>’s departure the latest move. With just days left before the window closes, <strong>Messi is reportedly set to get another squad boost, this time from his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys</strong>.</p>



<p>On Monday, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/"><strong>Inter Miami</strong></a><strong> officially announced Callender’s move to Charlotte FC after he first joined the Herons in 2019</strong>. The goalkeeper was a starter and key contributor in Miami’s first trophies, including the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.</p>



<p>In 2025, however, <strong>Callender was sidelined for much of the season due to a groin injury</strong>. With Oscar Ustari and Rocco Ríos Novo now ahead of him in Javier Mascherano’s depth chart, a move in search of minutes was always on the horizon. Charlotte revealed details of the deal on its official website, noting Inter Miami will receive $750,000 in General Allocation Money split across two installments, with an additional $75,000 in conditional GAM possible, plus a percentage of any future sale or transfer.</p>



<h2>Inter Miami targeting Argentine talent</h2>



<p>According to Fabrizio Romano, <strong>Inter Miami are close to securing the signing of Mateo Silvetti from Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys</strong>. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is considered one of Argentina’s top young prospects, having already represented the U20 national team, and is now set to continue his development in MLS.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250819_WST_585557_mateo-silvetti-newells-old-boys-1200x675_a9a0f712.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Mateo Silvetti of Newell&apos;s Old Boys." class="wp-image-585566" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/19152526/mateo-silvetti-newells-old-boys-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/19152526/mateo-silvetti-newells-old-boys-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/19152526/mateo-silvetti-newells-old-boys-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/19152526/mateo-silvetti-newells-old-boys-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/19152526/mateo-silvetti-newells-old-boys.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Mateo Silvetti of Newell’s Old Boys.</figcaption></figure>



<p>As reported by journalist Uriel Lugt, <strong>Silvetti’s rights were purchased by an investor group four months ago</strong>, making an eventual departure from Newell’s inevitable. Inter Miami have moved quickly to strike a deal, which is expected to be finalized before the August 21 deadline.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/cristiano-ronaldo-reaches-third-final-with-al-nassr-how-many-has-lionel-messi-played-with-inter-miami/"></div>


<p>While his signing is imminent, Silvetti won’t be available right away. <strong>He is currently recovering from a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot</strong>, though he is expected to return to action by late-August.</p>



<p><strong>Silvetti will join a list of new arrivals that already includes Rodrigo De Paul</strong>, and he is seen as a creative replacement following Federico Redondo’s move to Spanish side Elche. Much like Facundo Farias before him, another young Argentine star is set to become a central part of Inter Miami’s long-term project.</p>

Lionel Messi reportedly to get squad boost from boyhood club as Inter Miami part ways with Drake Callender

Lionel Messi reportedly to get squad boost from boyhood club as Inter Miami part ways with Drake Callender - World Soccer Talk

destacadas

<p>On Tuesday, <strong>Inter Miami</strong> confirmed that one of the club’s most important players has left the organization to join another <strong>Major League Soccer</strong> team. This leaves <strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/">Lionel Messi</a></strong> without a teammate who played a crucial role in the team’s success in recent years.</p>



<p><em><strong>“<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-miami/">Inter Miami</a> CF announced today that goalkeeper Drake Callender has joined Charlotte FC,”</strong></em> the Herons said in an official statement on their website. With this move, the 27-year-old player leaves the club for the first time in his career to try his luck with an Eastern Conference rival.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/drake-callender">Callender</a></strong> began his journey with Inter Miami in 2019, ahead of the club’s debut MLS season, and eventually became a key figure for the team. In fact, he was the second player to reach 100 appearances with the Herons and now leaves with 118 games played across all competitions.</p>



<p>The goalkeeper’s importance became especially clear after Messi’s arrival in the United States. The team’s resurgence in the summer of 2023 was fueled in part by Callender’s performances, which were crucial to their <strong>Leagues Cup </strong>title that year. He also played 32 matches during the 2024 regular season, in which they captured the <strong>Supporters’ Shield.</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An icon who made every moment count from the very beginning. Thank you for everything, Drake. We wish you the best in this next chapter.<br><br>Read more here: <a href="https://t.co/Bksdh009nC">https://t.co/Bksdh009nC</a> <a href="https://t.co/XPqaZiALaA">pic.twitter.com/XPqaZiALaA</a></p>— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) <a href="https://twitter.com/InterMiamiCF/status/1957790270436594146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2025</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>However, at the start of the current season, Callender’s situation changed drastically. A string of physical issues, including surgery to repair a sports hernia in May, kept him from retaining his spot in the starting lineup. That, combined with the strong form of <strong>Oscar Ustari</strong>, meant Callender managed to play only three matches in 2025.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/lionel-messi-could-lose-inter-miami-teammate-reportedly-aiming-to-regain-fitness-for-2026-world-cup-qualifiers/"></div>


<h2>What are Inter Miami getting in return for Callender?</h2>



<p>In the announcement of Drake Callender’s arrival, Charlotte FC shared details of the deal on their official website. <strong>Inter Miami will receive $750,000 in General Allocation Money</strong>, split into two installments: $400,000 in 2025 and $350,000 in 2026. Additionally, the Herons <em>“could receive $75,000 in conditional GAM and will retain a sell-on percentage in the event of a future permanent trade or transfer.</em>”</p>



<p>Asked about the decision to bring in Callender, Charlotte FC’s general manager <strong>Zoran Krneta</strong> explained: <em>“<strong>His MLS experience and recent national team call-ups make him a key piece to help strengthen our goalkeeping core</strong> as we continue to build the strongest squad possible for the run-in, but also an eye towards the future.”</em></p>



<h2>Callender is now a direct rival of Inter Miami</h2>



<p>With his trade to Charlotte FC, Drake Callender is now set to compete directly with Inter Miami. Both clubs are currently in playoff position in the Eastern Conference, separated by just a single point: the Herons sit in fifth place with 45 points, while Charlotte FC are seventh with 44.</p>



<p>However, there’s a key difference between the two. Inter Miami still have three games in hand due to their participation in the <strong>FIFA Club World Cup 2025</strong>, and if they perform well in those matches, they could climb to the top of the standings.</p>

Lionel Messi loses key teammate as Inter Miami star leaves for another MLS team

Lionel Messi loses key teammate as Inter Miami star leaves for another MLS team - World Soccer Talk

<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lionel-messi/"><strong>Lionel Messi</strong></a> has recently seen <strong>Inter Miami</strong>’s squad strengthened by the arrival of <strong>Rodrigo De Paul</strong>, a signing that got off to a strong start for the Herons as they push for success after advancing to the next phase of the Leagues Cup. But with less than two weeks remaining before the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mls/"><strong>Major League Soccer</strong></a> transfer window closes, <strong>reports suggest another Miami player is drawing interest from multiple clubs</strong>.</p>



<p>One of coach Javier Mascherano’s biggest challenges this year has been the <strong>lack of squad depth during the first half of the 2025 season</strong>. Combined with recurring injury problems, the Argentine boss has often been forced to work with a limited group of players, and now that roster could take another hit.</p>



<p>According to transfer expert Tom Bogert, <strong>goalkeeper </strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/drake-callender/"><strong>Drake Callender</strong></a><strong> has attracted serious interest from several MLS teams willing to make a move for him</strong>. Callender is still recovering from the injury that sidelined him for most of the season, and he will need to regain full fitness before competing for a starting role again.</p>



<p>With a transfer value of <strong>€2.5 million</strong> (per Transfermarkt), Bogert reports that clubs have already held advanced talks with all parties involved, though no deal has been finalized. With only 12 days left in the summer window, <strong>Messi’s squad could be trimmed further before deadline day</strong>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250810_WST_583324_drake-callender-inter-miami-1200x675_d129d62c.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-583342" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/08/09203441/drake-callender-inter-miami.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>A challenging 2025 season for Callender</h2>



<p>After making <strong>42 appearances in 2024</strong> as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/inter-miami/"><strong>Inter Miami</strong></a>’s first-choice goalkeeper, Callender’s 2025 campaign got off to a rough start. An early-season groin injury prompted Inter Miami to <strong>re-sign Oscar Ustari</strong>, who had left the club in December, and also <strong>bring in William Yarbrough</strong>.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/is-lionel-messi-playing-vs-orlando-city-inter-miami-coach-mascherano-gives-key-update-ahead-of-florida-derby/"></div>


<p>Callender returned to action in late March after Ustari was injured against Atlanta United, starting on April 6 against Toronto FC. He played again on April 27 against FC Dallas, <strong>which turned out to be his last appearance so far this season</strong>. From that point, the groin issue developed into a more serious injury, ultimately requiring surgery.</p>



<p>On May 9, Inter Miami announced <strong>Callender had undergone successful surgery to repair a sports hernia</strong>. However, he has yet to make it back to the matchday squad. Mascherano has noted that while Callender has participated in some training sessions, <strong>lingering discomfort has limited him to just three appearances this year</strong>.</p>

Lionel Messi could reportedly lose another Inter Miami teammate before MLS transfer window closes

Lionel Messi could reportedly lose another Inter Miami teammate before MLS transfer window closes - World Soccer Talk

<p>It wasn’t that long ago that US goalkeepers were a common sight in the Premier League, playing first-team soccer week after week. Goalkeeper Brad Friedel made 450 Premier League appearances across several clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham, and Aston Villa. Tim Howard made 399 appearances in the Premier League, which included his time at Manchester United and Everton. Other goalkeepers played their part too including Kasey Keller (201 appearances), Brad Guzan (154), Marcus Hahnemann (115), among others.</p>



<p>So why all of a sudden is there such a scarcity of American goalkeepers playing in the best league in the world? Blame it on their feet.</p>



<p>Modern goalkeepers are a different breed than Friedel, Howard, Guzan and company. They have to be as skilled with the ball at their feet as the defenders lined up ahead of them. Many teams play from the back, which requires quick precision to keep the ball moving from player to player, including the goalkeeper. When done well, the goalkeeper becomes an integral part of the game, playing inch-perfect passes on the ground to lead his team forward.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, the current breed of US goalkeepers are failing in that department. So much so that opposition teams have capitalized on the poor ball control by American goalkeepers to turn that spit-second indecision into goalscoring opportunities.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The BEST USMNT goalkeeper in the Premier League: Tim Howard, Brad Friedel or Kasey Keller? | ESPN FC" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WzTPwbpze0s?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>US goalkeepers need to improve</h2>



<p>The list of goalkeepers who have poor ball-control skills reads like a who’s who of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> goalkeepers. Matt Turner, Zack Steffen, Ethan Horvath and Drake Callender have all made mistakes for their club teams. Horvath is no longer starting matches for Cardiff City, and after watching <a href="https://x.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1824824645079773250/history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this example</a>, it’s not hard to understand why. Turner is an excellent shot stopper, but <a href="https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1721900101788905522/video/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he’s no sweeper keeper</a>, which is one of the main reasons why he was moved out of Arsenal and eventually dropped by Nottingham Forest before moving to Crystal Palace where he’s been on the bench.</p>



<p>The same applies to Steffen, who Pep Guardiola pushed out to Middlesbrough not long after <a href="https://x.com/EmiratesFACup/status/1515342658134151175" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this mistake</a> so he could bring in Stefan Ortega as the backup for Emerson. Likewise, Drake Callender has come under a lot of criticism from Inter Miami fans last season for several mistakes, <a href="https://x.com/FOXSoccer/status/1778257375704543376" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">including this one</a>.</p>



<p>Playing at the highest level and having first-rate ball control skills isn’t easy. But in this modern game, it’s a noticable difference that separates the average goalkeepers from the best.</p>



<p>To be fair, you don’t often see the type of ball control skill mistakes that are made when you’re watching games in CONCACAF or MLS. That’s no slight on those two, but the game is played at a much faster pace in England. Hence the reason why it’s more likely to see those mistakes being made there.</p>



<p>For Turner, in particular, opposition teams in the Premier League caught on quickly to his poor ball control skills. So much so that you could see opponents pressing Turner in their attempt to make him spill the ball. When a team has a weakness that’s exposed like that, especially in the Premier League, coaches have to make the tough decisions which is why Turner, Horvath and Steffen have all been replaced at their respective clubs.</p>



<p>That’s to take nothing away from their shot stopper abilities, but in the modern game, top-level coaches expect goalkeepers to be well rounded in all areas.</p>



<h2>Why are there so few US goalkeepers who are good with their feet?</h2>



<p>So why then are US goalkeepers not as good with their feet as other top goalkeepers?</p>



<p>There are a few reasons why. In the past, there have been a lot of really good American goalkeepers because they were raised playing American sports, all of which require good hand skills. Other than soccer, I can’t think of any American sports that require expert skills with your feet.</p>



<p>With CONCACAF and MLS games playing a slower style of soccer, US goalkeepers don’t get as much practice making split-second decisions in fast-paced games. Yes, it can be coached but real game situations are the best way to improve.</p>



<p>Thankfully, hope is on the horizon. Barcelona recently signed Diego Kochen to a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2028. Among his many skills, 18-year-old Kochen is reportedly very skilled as a sweeper keeper. Since he’s gone through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, that isn’t surprising. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Diego Kochen - Insane Saves, Passing &amp; Dribbling 24/25" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9DJRGafbhaY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>He could be one for the future to lead the next generation of US goalkeepers in the top European leagues. Meanwhile, there’s always the chance that MLS goalkeepers such as Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte and others could adapt to a faster game. Overall though, Kochen seems like the best bet given his time at Barcelona.</p>



<p><em>Photo credit: George Frey&nbsp;/&nbsp;Stringer / GettyImages</em></p>

Why are there so few US goalkeepers who are good with their feet?

Why are there so few US goalkeepers who are good with their feet? We focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the current generation.

featured

Latest news from Drake Callender. Find out about all the news related to Drake Callender on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Drake Callender"

News

Lionel Messi reportedly to get squad boost from boyhood club as Inter Miami part ways with Drake Callender

News

Lionel Messi loses key teammate as Inter Miami star leaves for another MLS team

News

Lionel Messi could reportedly lose another Inter Miami teammate before MLS transfer window closes

News

Why are there so few US goalkeepers who are good with their feet?