Higuaín, Vassilev and Ulloa among players likely leaving Inter Miami
Inter Miami CF opted to decline 10 player contract options and allow three players to enter free agency on Monday as part of the club’s end of the season roster decisions.
With 19 players with guaranteed contracts set to return, the potential departures are highlighted by midfielders Federico Higuaín, Indiana Vassilev and Victor Ulloa, defenseman Brek Shea, as well as backup goaltender John McCarthy.
“Inter Miami would like to thank the players, coaches and staff for their work and contributions in the 2021 season,” said Chris Henderson, the chief soccer officer and sporting director for Inter Miami, said in a news release.
“The Club continues to work diligently to construct a team that will bring our incredible fans the success they deserve,” Henderson said. “We remain in conversations with several players about returning next year and aim to recruit exciting new talent that will help us achieve our goals.”
Federico Higuaín, the brother of Gonzalo, will be entering free agency with his contract expiring. Federico Higuaín started seven of his 25 appearances this season and finished tied for third on the team in goals scored (3) with Roldofo Pizzaro and Vassilev.
In addition, Vassilev and Shea will also enter free agency. Vassilev started seven games this season, scoring three goals in the 21 games he played this season, while Shea, a 17-game starter, scored two goals in the 30 contests he appeared in.
Starting 14 of the 21 games he competed in, Ulloa, who recorded two assists this
season, was one of the 10 players with their contract options declined.
Having served as the club’s backup goalie, McCarthy also had his contract option declined, after starting 12 of the 13 games he played in. McCarthy allowed 20 goals against him and had a 63.6 save percentage.
The other players that had their contract options declined include forward Josh Penn, midfielders George Acosta and Jay Chapman, defensemen Ventura Alvarado, Sami Guediri, Kelvin Leerdam and Patrick Seagrist and goaltender Dylan Castanheira.