Callender posted a heartfelt message on social media, directed at the fans and the club. “To my first professional club, Inter Miami, I want to thank you and everyone that I’ve met and had the opportunity to grow with throughout the last six years,” Callender wrote.

“I’m very proud of my time here and more importantly the relationships that I’ve built. We won trophies, we endured tough moments, and brought people together through this game. I wish everyone the best going forward.”

He closed by leaving a special message for the fans, who will surely miss him as much as he will miss them. “To the fans, you always supported me and I can’t thank you enough for all the love I’ve received during my time here.”

Callender’s journey in Miami

Drake Callender, the American goalkeeper, enjoyed a remarkable spell with Inter Miami. After joining in 2019, before their inaugural MLS season, he spent two years with Inter Miami CF II. By 2022, he had earned the starting job, showcasing his potential and establishing himself as a key part of the team’s defense.

His defining moment came in 2023 during the historic Leagues Cup campaign. Callender became the hero by delivering crucial saves, including a decisive stop in the penalty shootout of the final, and even scoring a penalty of his own. His performance earned him the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award and Man of the Match honors in the final, as Inter Miami lifted their first major trophy with Messi.

Callender’s career in Miami was one of steady growth. In 2024, he was instrumental in the team’s run to the Supporters’ Shield, highlighted by his athleticism and sharp reflexes that made him a fan favorite. His leadership and consistency helped him become one of the first two players in club history to reach 100 appearances.

Despite his success, Callender’s time with Messi and Inter Miami has come to an end. In a surprise move, the club traded him to Charlotte FC, receiving a significant amount of allocation money in return. The transfer marks the close of an era for a homegrown figure who rose with the club and played a central role in its biggest achievements.

Drake Callender, for instance, has enjoyed so much recognition since Messi came to South Beach that now he’s earned a call-up to the United States Men’s National Soccer Team for the 2024 Concacaf Nations League semifinals.

The goalkeeper’s presence in the list is quite remarkable considering Gregg Berhalter has mostly called European-based players on this occasion. Callender and Miles Robinson will be the only MLS representatives in the USMNT this month.

The Stars and Stripes will take on Jamaica on Thursday, March 21 at 7 PM (ET) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in one of the CNL semifinals. Mexico and Panama will battle it out for the other ticket to the final only a few hours later.

USMNT roster for 2024 Concacaf Nations League semifinals

GOALKEEPERS (3): Drake Callender (Inter Miami), Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City, Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest)

DEFENDERS (8): Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven, Kris Lund (Palermo, Mark McKenzie (Genk), Tim Ream (Fulham), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Yunus Musah (AC Milan), 7-Gio Reyna (Nottingham Forest)

FORWARDS (6): Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Tim Weah (Juventus)

The current crop of talented but shaky US keepers resides in Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath, Zack Steffen, Gabriel Slonina, Drake Callender, and Roman Celentano. All with their upsides but also glaring issues at the club level.

Here is a breakdown of what is going on with each USMNT goalkeeper and what could be next for each one of them as once again the USMNT number 1 spot looks to be up for grabs in the long term.

Matt Turner

A great shot stopper but woeful with his feet, Turner simply was not good enough to play at Arsenal and at Nottingham Forest showed that he is Premier League level, but clearly was never his manager’s first choice. Recently signed it will be up to Turner to regain his starting spot, after a good World Cup and some good Europa League matches with Arsenal, Turner has to make it work in a club like Nottingham Forest, it will be difficult for another Premier League club to take a gamble on a keeper who was not able to leverage having been at Arsenal.

Ethan Horvath

Nottingham’s third choice, behind Turner, it is really shocking to see there were no takers for Horvath who showed he can come up HUGE in big moments, for the USMNT and for his old club Luton Town. With a rumored move to MLS, it will be gut punch for a goalkeeper who has the level to be in Europe to have to start over in MLS, but yet before Brad Friedel moved to Liverpool, he played a year with the Columbus Crew. Ethan needs to start playing, especially when at times he has looked better than Turner with Luton Town.

Gabriel Slonina

The most talented keeper in the pool, Gabriel Slonina is making saves and showcasing his skills for a pretty poor Eupen side in Belgium. Slonina should be the heir apparent, but will Gregg Berhalter integrate a keeper who has the best skill set of any keeper in the pool? That remains to be seen, the Summer Olympics could be Gaga’s coming out party. The long-term reality is that Slonina should become the USMNT’s number one.

Drake Callender

The advantage of playing with Lionel Messi is all eyes are on you, Drake Callender was one of the few players that international media salvaged from a dreadful Inter Miami side before and since Messi’s arrival. Drake Callender knows how to make big saves, but at times is prone to being exposed by an Inter Miami defense that is amateur to comical at times. A move to Europe would benefit Callender in the long run and it will come if in 2024 he has a similar season and better numbers.

Roman Celentano

Not getting his credit is FC Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano, who had a solid season in MLS in 2023. Roman Celentano has been one of MLS’ best goalkeepers and was second in shutouts this season. At 23, Celentano could make a move to Europe soon and break through on a national team goalkeeper pool where spots 2 and 3 are up for grabs.

Zack Steffen

Left off of the 2022 World Cup roster because of rumors he would not have handled being on the bench under Turner, Zack Steffen’s club career is in limbo, with no place at Manchester City after huge blunders in his limited matches, a solid season at Middlesbrough did nothing for his World Cup chances, and even if he found a new club, it would most likely take a solid season before he gets back on the USMNT.