Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino revealed on Friday that a plea from the New York Red Bulls to reschedule their upcoming game was turned down by MLS. This decision was made despite both teams facing the absence of several key players who are on international duty. MLS is one of the few top leagues that does not observe FIFA international breaks, leading to a situation where numerous teams are without their star performers. In the upcoming match between the Red Bulls and Miami, each side will be without six players who have been called up by their respective national teams. Martino expressed his disappointment by stating, “We received a request from Red Bulls to postpone this match and we agreed, but the federation didn’t approve.”
Among the players missing out due to international commitments are Miami midfielder Diego Gómez (Paraguay) and goalkeeper Drake Callender (U.S. Men’s National Team), while the Red Bulls will be without their captain Emil Forsberg (Sweden) and defender John Tolkin (U.S. U-23 team). Lionel Messi, who recently joined Miami, will also be absent from the game after picking up a hamstring injury following his call-up to the Argentina national team. Martino acknowledged the difficulties posed by these absences, stating, “We knew that we were not going to have for this week several players who are with their national teams… We can’t count on them but we can still put together a competitive team.”
Messi, a multiple Ballon d’Or winner, sustained a hamstring injury during Miami’s recent match against Nashville in the Concacaf Champions Cup. As a result, he was sidelined for their subsequent league fixture against D.C. United. Martino remains optimistic about Messi’s recovery, emphasizing that the goal is to have him fully fit for the upcoming Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal clashes against Monterrey on April 3 and April 10. Providing an update on Messi’s condition, Martino mentioned, “A few days ago he was back out on the pitch. He’s getting better every day, so we’ll have to wait and see how he goes…”
The current scenario highlights the challenges faced by MLS teams during international breaks. While international duty is a prestigious opportunity for players, it can significantly disrupt the rhythm of club competitions. The denial of the request to postpone matches puts additional strain on teams missing key players. As Martino suggested, the league may need to reconsider its stance on playing through FIFA international windows to ensure a level playing field for all teams. Adapting to the evolving landscape of global football is essential for the long-term growth and competitiveness of MLS.