Watch: Drake Callender reacts to news that he will break Inter Miami record

Drake Callender was one of the unsung heroes of Inter Miami’s incredible run to the 2023 Leagues Cup last summer. The goals of Lionel Messi fired them to the triumph and made the headlines, but Callender’s goalkeeping performances played a key role in the success.

Now Callender stands on the brink of breaking Inter Miami’s all-time appearance record. The 6ft2 keeper has made 86 first team appearances for the club, leaving him joint-top with teaMMAte Robert Taylor, who is currently out with a muscle injury.

Assuming that Callender features against the New England Revolution this weekend, and that Taylor does not, the Miami goalkeeper will leap into first place in the all-time rankings. The 25-year-old was alerted of this milestone in a press conference on Wednesday and admitted that he had not realised that he was close to the record.

“I didn’t know that,” Callender laughed. “That’s some cool news. Having been with the club since the inaugural season until now, playing in my 87th Game, shows you how time flies.”

Has Drake Callender ever played for USMNT?

The Sacramento-born stopper was first called up by the United States national team in April 2023. He was an unused substitute in a friendly against Mexico and is yet to make an appearance for USMNT in any of his call-ups to the national team.

Callender was selected again in August 2023, just days after winning Leagues Cup. He was called up for the CONCACAF Nations League finals earlier this year but is still yet to make an appearance for USMNT.

He looks set to be involved in this summer’s Copa América and USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter will want to give him some international experience in the pre-tournament friendlies against Colombia and Brazil. Callender was asked about his international ambitions and the Miami keeper insisted that he’s first concentrating on his performances at club level.

Callender explained: “I think the way that I get called back in is by being consistent and playing well here with my team. So I think it’s a kind of day by day approach to where I just take care of Business and do the best that I can.”