Should Nick Marsman, not Drake Callender, start for Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati?
Inter Miami's coaching staff may be considering a goalkeeper change after recent outings
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami is in sore need of goals, and interestingly enough a change in between the pipes on the other side of the field could be in the cards to help in that regard.
Twenty-three weeks of the MLS season have come and gone, and Inter Miami presently stands as one of the worst-attacking teams in the league. The South Florida side has found the back of the net just 22 times in 21 games — an output that is lowest in the Eastern Conference and second-lowest in the league — and has gone scoreless eight times in that stretch.
The lack of goals has been a concern for head coach Phil Neville and his technical staff for much of the year, and one potential change that they could make as soon as Saturday vs. FC Cincinnati to try and improve the team’s build-up and subsequently the attack is bringing goalkeeper Nick Marsman back into the fold.
Marsman has been out of Inter Miami’s starting lineup in MLS play since April 30, at first due to a nagging back injury and afterwards due to the impressive form of then-reserve Drake Callender. While Callender has shown not to be as adept with the ball at his feet as the experienced Dutchman, the younger netminder took the No. 1 spot with his at times game-changing saves.
Callender’s form has in recent weeks dropped from the high perch it was on, though, something the 24-year-old American recognized earlier this week.
“Do I want a couple of those back, some of the goals I have conceded? Yes,” said Callender on Tuesday. “But I think it really comes down to how I adapt and how I learn from the time that I get on the field. I do hold myself to a really high standard and in the past couple of games I feel like I probably could have shown up for my team a little bit more.”
If Callender is not producing the same level of shot-stopping as he was at the start of his run of appearances, could Neville and his staff be considering turning back to a now-healthy Marsman?
It is possible if not likely, especially since sputtering Inter Miami could use any and all help to improve its anemic attack.
“I think it was important for him to get minutes, to smell what game-time looked like,” Neville said on July 21 after the 31-year-old Marsman returned from injury to play in the recent friendly loss to FC Barcelona. “Everything that we know of Nick, his distribution was really good and we will need that in the next few weeks.”
Neville has long lauded Marsman’s ability to pass the ball, stating at one point last year that having the veteran in the lineup was like playing with an extra field player. It might make sense then if Neville turns to Marsman this weekend in a game vs FC Cincinnati that informally stands as a “six-pointer” — or a match against a direct competitor for a playoff spot.
Inter Miami, which sits three points behind seventh-placed FC Cincinnati in the standings, will be at home. The onus will be on the Herons to dictate the tempo, search for attacking solutions, and score the necessary goals that will give Neville’s men the needed victory.
Of course, preventing FC Cincinnati from scoring will also be part of the equation. It just remains to be seen which goalkeeper will be tasked with doing so.
Should Nick Marsman, not Drake Callender, start for Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati?
I think they do go with Marsman again Saturday. I don’t blame the losses on Callander but his form has dropped a little. We need to improve in attack any way we can - we have always struggled with goals - even in the Diego Alonso season.
We Need Marsman not only for his passing abilities/ vision but we also need a true stern vocal leader on the pitch who brings calmness to the defense when he's in tells them where to position properly. Both Keepers excel in different attributes but we need another veteran on this pitch that can lead from the back and put his in put during the water breaks and halftime