Pellegrini in limbo with Inter Miami’s season to begin Sunday
Inter Miami kicks off its second season at home Sunday against the Los Angeles Galaxy, and midfielder Matias Pellegrini remains in limbo as to his status with the team.
The club reportedly paid a transfer fee of more than $7 million to get Pellegrini from Argentine club Estudiantes in the summer of 2019. He was the team’s first “Designated Player,” a classification given to highpriced players.
MLS allows only three DPs per team, and Inter Miami is carrying four (Rodolfo Pizarro, Blaise
Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain the others) so one will have to leave or change salary status.
In the meantime, the club might have to loan or trade Pellegrini, most likely to another MLS team. Brazil would be another option. Most other leagues’ transfer windows have closed. MLS has a new
U-22 initiative, but it is unclear if Pellegrini, 21, would qualify due to his salary.
One new player expected to play a crucial role is Brazilian midfielder Gregore, signed from Bahia last month to a four-year contract.
The 27-year-old central midfielder has “a great engine,” said sporting director Chris Henderson, who has had his eye on Gregore for years. He will be paired as a holding midfielder with Matuidi and will bring stability to that area.
— MICHELLE KAUFMAN Elsewhere: Pep
●
Guardiola shared an emotional moment with goalscorer Phil Foden as Manchester City ended its run of failure in the Champions League quarterfinals, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 for a 4-2 aggregate win. Guardiola reached the semifinals with City at the fifth attempt, matching the club’s best ever result under his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini in 2016.
... Real Madrid secured its return to the Champions League semifinals after a two-season absence by holding Liverpool to a 0-0 draw, protecting a 3-1 advantage from the first leg.
... The U.S. women’s national soccer players have asked a federal appeals court to overturn a lower court decision throwing out their lawsuit seeking equal pay to the men’s team. Players led by Alex Morgan asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the part of their suit that U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner threw out last May when he granted a partial summary judgment to the U.S. Soccer Federation. The 9th Circuit estimates that oral arguments in civil appeals will be scheduled 12-20 months from the notice of appeal and 9-12 months after written briefs have been completed.
ETC.
College basketball: University ● of Miami basketball players Isaiah Wong and Kam McGusty announced they will enter their names in the NBA
Draft, but maintain their college eligibility to keep that door open. Wong was the Hurricanes’ leading scorer as a sophomore with 17 points per game. Wong and McGusty can be evaluated by NBA scouts and then have until mid-July to decide whether to stay in the draft or return to college. The draft is July 29.
— MICHELLE KAUFMAN ... Arkansas signed coach
Eric Musselman to a new, five-year agreement that could keep him with the Razorbacks through the 2028 season. Musselman will receive $4 million in annual compensation, with additional compensation available based on longevity and “success in the SEC and NCAA Tournament.”
College baseball: Anthony
● Vilar delivered the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the host University of Miami (18-11) a 3-2 win over Florida Gulf Coast.
College football: Florida
● athletic director Scott Stricklin said he anticipates Gators football games at full capacity during the 2021 season. Last season, the COVID-19 pandemic and Alachua County ordinances limited capacity in the Swamp to 17,000 fans or roughly 20% capacity to meet social distancing guidelines for fans entering and exiting the stadium, using bathrooms or purchasing concessions. The stadium seats up to 88,548.
NFL: Free agent defensive
● end Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Cleveland, joining All-Pro end Myles Garrett on the defensive line and a team looking to go deeper in the playoffs this season.