Drake Callender makes AWFUL error to leave Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on the brink of Champions Cup exit as he passes the ball to Monterrey’s Brandon Vazquez when trying to play out from the back
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made a humiliating mistake while playing from the back against Monterrey in the Champions Cup on Wednesday night – with USMNT teammate Brandon Vazquez intercepting his pass and scoring an easy goal.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami went into the match in Mexico trailing 2-1, but after a difficult start to the match, Callender’s mistake left the team on the brink of an exit.
Thomas Aviles played the ball back to his goalkeeper under minimal pressure and as Callender gained control of the ball, Vazquez approached slowly to reduce the goalkeeper’s passing angle.
Callender then attempted to pass the Monterrey striker, who intercepted the timid attempt and converted from close range to give him a 3–1 aggregate lead in the 31st minute.
‘Everyone wants to play at the back. It’s a gift, an unnecessary gift,” FOX analyst Alexi Lalas said at half-time, suggesting Callender should have hit the ball long.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made a terrible mistake while playing in the back
His pass was intercepted by Brandon Vazquez, who had an easy finish for Monterrey
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham traveled to Mexico for the match on Wednesday
Up to that point it had been a disciplined but ultimately promising performance for Miami, who welcomed Messi back into the starting line-up.
The Argentina World Cup winner started in attack alongside Luis Suarez as Miami owner David Beckham watched from the stands in Mexico.
Miami trailed 2-1 in the first leg and away goals counted, meaning Messi and his men needed three goals to advance in regular time and two to reach extra time.
Suarez thought he had one on the stroke of half-time, racing through on goal and sliding past Esteban Andrada with a left-footed shot before being rightly ruled out for offside.