Inter Miami might lose Messi AND Suarez during Copa America. Here’s what we know
Memo to Inter Miami fans: Enjoy dynamic duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in May, because come June, both top MLS scorers could be taking a hiatus from the league while they play in the Copa America tournament.
They could miss as many as seven MLS games in June and July, depending on how far their national teams advance.
There was never any doubt that Messi, captain of Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad in 2022, would be on the roster for the upcoming Copa America, which kicks off June 20, is being played across 14 U.S. cities and concludes July 14 with the championship game at Hard Rock Stadium.
Argentina is the defending Copa America champion, and Messi is expected to be a major attraction at the Albiceleste’s three group stage games in the Copa opener vs. Canada in Atlanta on June 20, the June 25 game against Chile in New Jersey, and the June 29 game against Peru at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
But Suarez’s status with the Uruguay national team is not as clear. The 37-year-old “Pistolero” (gunslinger) has not played in his national shirt since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Coach Marcelo Bielsa left Suarez off the roster for a pair of March friendlies, but according to reporter Rodrigo Romano of DSports in Uruguay, Suarez, who has scored 10 goals in 11 MLS games, was included in the provisional roster for the Copa America.
“Bielsa called up 35 players. With a minimum of 35 and a maximum of 55, he opted for the minimum. Luis Suárez is included,” Romano reported Wednesday.
The deadline for participating teams to submit their preliminary rosters was May 5. The final roster for each nation is due by June 12. Provisional rosters can be anywhere between 35 and 55 players, and the final roster cap is 23 players.
Suarez, who joined Inter Miami in June, has been among the league’s best players. He has 12 goals and seven assists across all competitions and is tied with Messi atop the MLS Golden Boot race with 10 goals. If he makes the final Uruguay roster, he would not have to travel far for the first game, as Uruguay plays Panama at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on June 23.
Other Inter Miami players who could be called up for national team duty include goalkeeper Drake Callender (USA), midfielder Matias Rojas (Paraguay), and forward Leo Campana (Ecuador).
Miami games that fall from mid-June to late-July are: on the road vs. Philadelphia on June 15, home vs. defending MLS champion Columbus on June 19, on the road vs. Nashville June 29, on the road vs. Charlotte July 3, on the road July 6 vs. Cincinnati, home vs. Toronto on July 17 and home vs. Chicago on July 20.
Because of the potential absences, coach Tata Martino has been stressing how critical it is for Inter Miami to rack up points in the standings early in the season, which it has. Miami leads the Eastern Conference and the Supporters Shield race with 24 points and leads MLS with 32 goals and a plus-14 goal differential.
Alba back from injury
Jordi Alba, who missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, returned to training Wednesday morning. His status for the road game Saturday at Montreal is unknown, but he participated in practice with the team.
Franco Negri has been filling in at left back for Alba and said he has learned a lot from the former FC Barcelona star.
“I have learned from Jordi’s calm demeanor and the time he takes to make decisions because I tend to be more anxious,” Negri said. “I am trying to learn from all of them, from Busi, Suarez, Leo, mainly how calm they are on the ball and trying to see the field the way they do. The passes they make are ridiculous, it motivates you to have them as teammates and my main takeaway has been their calmness on the field.”
Negri, Freire mourn death of Menotti
Inter Miami’s Argentinean players commented on the death this week of Cesar Luis Menotti, the legendary player and coach of Argentina’s 1978 World Cup championship team.
“He was a grand figure in Argentina and all of the soccer world is mourning,” Freire said. “He had a big impact on our style of play and we have to respect his family and send condolences from all the players.”
Negri added: “A very tragic loss for the entire soccer world because he was well known world-wide. In my case, I was at his school studying to be a coach, so, his fundamentals, his way of playing the game was highly respected. A lot of the world’s coaches have said it, so may he rest in peace.”
Negri said he completed his courses to be a coach after three years in the program and all he has left to get his license is his on-field training hours. He is also studying for a master’s degree in sport administration.
“As players we do have obligations, but in the afternoon we have plenty free time and I wanted to prepare myself for the future to stay in the sport,” Negri said.
This story was originally published May 8, 2024 at 4:35 PM.