Inter Miami CF Part Ways With Kamal Miller And Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
Inter Miami CF have traded centerback Kamal Miller to the Portland Timbers. As part of the deal Miami has received; an international roster spot, a sell on percentage if Miller is sold outside of MLS, $625,000 in GAM split across the 2024 and 2025 MLS seasons, as well as potential for another $150,000 in GAM for certain performance based incentives. Kamal Miller has proven to be one of the top centerbacks within MLS over the last few seasons between his time in Orlando, Montreal, and Miami. The 2022 MLS All Star, Canadian Championship winner, and Leagues Cup champion will now head to the pacific northwest to help lead a new look Timbers backline. Miller reunites with Phil Neville who is the manager that initially brought him to Inter Miami last season. The Canadian International defender has 132 career games between his time in MLS, scoring 3 goals and 4 assists.
The 26 year old Miller joins a strong Timbers defensive core that includes the likes of Dario Zuparic, Zac McGraw, Miguel Araujo, and Larrys Mabiala. I expect Kamal Miller to be the starting centerback next to Dario Zuparic. There is even a chance that Phil Neville plays a back three for Portland taking over next year. If so, Kamal Miller could be a left centerback next to Zuparic and Zac McGraw. The Timbers really have put together a strong centerback core for Neville. I think that the Timbers should play with a back three, allowing the likes of Claudio Bravo and Juan David Mosquera to get forward more without having to worry about defensive openings.
Inter Miami CF also sold centerback Leandro Gonzalez Pirez to River Plate down in Argentina. Pirez was on loan with River Plate last season and the club decided to pick up the permanent option this off-season. The Inter Miami centerback core now consists of Tomas Aviles, Sergi Kryvstov, Chris McVey, Ryan Sailor, and Ian Fray. I would expect Aviles and Kryvstov to be the starting duo for Miami next season, but I think another centerback is needed for this club if Miami wants to hit the heights that everyone is thinking they should hit next year.
