A Look at Where We Stand - Part 1 - Departures

Let's Take a Look at Where We Stand - Part 1 - Departures 

Above is what will likely be the squad that takes the field on January 16th for training camp. 

First thing you'll notice - it looks a LOT different than the squad that finished the 2021 season on November 7th, 2021. 2 Designated Players are gone. Both starting CBs and our starting RB (in a 4 back formation) are gone. A fan favorite is gone (yes, he was my favorite too). Our backup goalie is gone. 

Change can be scary. However, change is also necessary. Inter Miami entered the 2021-22 offseason with a tall task - rebuild a flawed squad to fit Neville's system while dealing with a $1.13M decrease in GAM for the 2022 season due to the Matuidi sanctions. In order to achieve this, Chris Henderson and Phil Neville had to get to work - including making some very hard decisions in order to revamp the squad into a (hopefully) contender in 2022. 

Let's Look at the Moves that have Already Happened, Will Be Happening, or Need to Happen.

First - Departures: 

Options Declined: Ventura Alvarado, Jay Chapman, Sami Guediri, Kelvin Leerdam, John McCarthy, Josh Penn, Patrick Seagrist

Retired: Federico Higuain

Trade: Lewis Morgan, Dylan Castanheira, Julian Carranza

Loan: Nico Figal, Rodolfo Pizarro, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez

Buyout: Blaise Matuidi

That's 15 players from 2021's squad gone. 15!

Let's break down the 6 biggest departures of the offseason so far.

Lewis Morgan - Traded to NY Red Bulls for $1.2M in GAM. 

A hard, painful trade for any Inter Miami CF fan to swallow. Morgan was a fan favorite, the only player to play in (and START) every single match in IMCF history, and an overall amazing guy to chat with. However, he was also the most valuable player Miami had on the roster, and therefore it made him a player who was necessary to move in order to recoup GAM lost in the Matuidi sanctions and clear cap space. Miami had multiple offers on the table - domestically and internationally - for Morgan, including, per source, 2 greater than the amount received, but decided to send him to NYRB, where he will likely be slotted into a RF role and given the chance to thrive in the US's largest city. I wish him nothing but the best.

Julian Carranza - Loaned (Traded Technically) to Philadelphia Union for a 2022 Superdraft 2nd Round Pick 

This is likely the most surprising move of the offseason so far - moving Julian Carranza off the books to another club. Many (myself included) thought moving Julian and his 750k wages would be an impossible task - yet Neville pulled it off. By moving Julian, Miami has cleared 750k in salary and (while never official) opened a young DP slot.

Rodolfo Pizarro - 1 year loan with option to purchase to Monterrey 

A move that isn't surprising to anyone. Rodolfo never found his footing at Miami after being signed as the club's 2nd ever DP (1st senior DP) and it was increasingly clear he wasn't happy at the club at the end of the 2021 season - indicated by his liking of tweets aimed at his apparent dislike for fellow DP Gonzalo Higauin. Shortly after the season ended, Pizarro formally requested a transfer from the club, with a move back to Liga MX the preferred move. Pizarro got his wish and was loaned back to Monterrey. However, since Miami did not receive a loan fee for Pizarro's loan to Monterrey, his DP spot will NOT be available in the 2022 season. 

Nico Figal - Loan to Boca Juniors for 1 year with option to purchase

A move that is not yet official, but has been confirmed to me by multiple sources - Nico Figal will be loaned to Boca Juniors for the 2022 season, with an option to purchase at the conclusion of the loan. Figal was the CB most expected to stay on the roster for 2022 and partner with Makoun in the middle, however, when Miami was presented with an offer to clear Figal's wages for the 2022 season by returning him to his native Argentina, it was an offer they wouldn't refuse. 

Leandro Gonzalez Pirez - Loan to River Plate for 2 years with option to purchase

A move that is also not yet official, but has been confirmed to me by multiple sources - LGP will be loaned to River Plate for the 2022 and 2023 seasons, with an option to purchase at the conclusion of the loan. LGP was the CB most expected to go - as he was a guaranteed booking every match, and despite his ball playing ability, was seen as a liability while on the pitch. Miami had multiple offers within MLS for the sale of LGP, but when presented with an offer to return him to his native Argentina, LGP and Miami agreed that move would be best. 

Blaise Matuidi - Bought Out

A move that is also not yet official, but confirmed to me by multiple sources and reported by Michelle Kaufmann - Matuidi will be bought out after a disappointing 1.5 seasons with the club and being left out of the club's plans for 2022. Matuidi is a player that all IMCF fans will agree needed to go - he no longer had enough in the tank to play consistently and provide DP level quality that he was being paid for. Matuidi has been offered an off-field role with the club for 2022 and beyond, but it remains to be seen if he accepts this role and retires, or attempts to find another club for 2022.

Chris Henderson and his staff have been busy to start this offseason, but all of these moves have been necessary in order to allow Miami to have the cap space, GAM, DP spots, and roster spots to strengthen the squad ahead of the 2022 season. 

Tomorrow we will discuss part 2 of where we stand - Arrivals.