Inter Miami saw the return of Lionel Messi this weekend, yet the Herons have been exceptional in recent months without their star attacker.
The Florida franchise booked their ticket into the post-season play-offs in emphatic fashion this summer with Messi missing nearly three months of soccer for Inter Miami due to the Copa America and an ankle injury.
With the likes of Luis Suarez, Diego Gomez and Leonardo Campana stepping up for Inter Miami in a big way in Messi’s absence, the Herons have shown how good they can be even without the greatest player to ever live.
And Julian Gressel has now hailed one Inter Miami star after what he’s done in recent weeks.
Drake Callender’s Inter Miami performances praised after becoming a father
Speaking to WSVN 7 News, the USA international praised his Inter Miami teammate, Drake Callender, for keeping up his incredible level of performance between the sticks despite becoming a father for the first time.
Callender has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS this season with the 26-year-old playing a key role for Tata Martino’s side in their play-off push and their bid to create MLS history in the regular season.
And Gressel has been in awe with what he’s seen from Callender this season, with the former Columbus Crew star saying: “He’s bouncing back and gone through a lot the last few days, obviously.
“It’s been a little bit of a whirlwind for him but awesome to see him kind of step in like that and come up big when we need him. And that’s what he’s done for the whole season. I’m really happy for him.”
Herons would not be where they are now without Callender
Inter Miami have shown this season they are on course to become the greatest MLS side in history with a record points total within their grasp as the Herons look like the favorites to win MLS Cup later this year.
Yet whilst the attack have won all the plaudits, Callender’s form in goal for Inter Miami has been just as important, with the USA international showcasing why he’s one of the best keepers in the division.
At just 26, Callender is a young shot-stopper who has the potential to become a legend for Inter Miami, and this season has seen the Californian-born star take his game to new and exciting levels.