Who are Inter Miami’s expansion draft picks? Get to know Ben Sweat, Lee Nguyen and others
Inter Miami’s roster is slowly beginning to take shape with five more players added earlier this week,
Still without a head coach, sporting director Paul McDonough took full charge of the MLS expansion draft with Inter selecting five players, all of which are likely to remain on the roster, according to McDonough.
Inter had first pick in the draft and didn’t disappoint with USMNT international Ben Sweat acquired from New York City FC, while Alvas Powell, Lee Nguyen, Luis Argudo and Bryan Meredith were also snapped up.
Below we take a look at each of Inter Miami’s newest players in more detail (Photos courtesy of MLS).
Ben Sweat
Sweat was taken number one in the draft, which won’t surprise most given the MLS experience he has picked up across the last two years with NYCFC, joining from Tampa Bay Rowdies in 2017.
The outside back is a USMNT international, and he’ll bring a real knowhow to the Inter Miami locker room having been part of a Eastern Conference-winning side in the season just gone.
In terms of playing ability, Sweat will likely be a starter for Miami, bringing plenty of dynamism in that outside back position.
He has the ability to get to the byline and got crosses in the box. Whether that fits Miami’s style, we will have to wait and see with no head coach appointed just yet, but there’s no doubt that the 28-year-old is a fine addition.
Alvas Powell
This is a less flattering pick, but that opinion may be shaped by the fact Powell comes out of the worst defense in MLS history at Cincinnati.
He enjoyed a much better time at Portland, though, where he made over 100 appearances in three years, and once again brings experience to South Florida.
Powell is an experienced Jamaica international, and a decent defender. He just needs the right men beside him – as his time at Cincinnati suggests – to protect him when he makes those powerful runs forward.
Lee Nguyen
Nguyen is a steal for Miami, and Paul McDonough won’t have been expecting to snag the experienced player in the third round.
The USA international joins Inter after achieving a sensational Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign with LAFC, and brings a wealth of experience with him.
Nguyen knows MLS inside-out after seven years in the league, and while at 33 years of age, he is not likely to feature in every game, he will play an integral role off the field, and in Miami’s midfield.
The once MVP candidate will likely be deployed in a more attacking role, but he also brings some diversity with him, being able to play in a deeper role if required. This definitely goes down as one of the more impressive picks.
Luis Argudo
Argudo doesn’t bring the same level of experience, and perhaps not talent, either, but he will prove to be a useful roster player.
He’s 23 years of age, and a player with plenty of diversity across the midfield, but he may not start regularly if Inter’s ambition is matched by their recruitment policy.
Argudo did okay last season for Columbus Crew, featuring in 21 games, but he hasn’t set the world alight, which is why he will have a lot to prove in South Florida.
In terms of off-the-field, Argudo speaks Spanish, which will prove useful in the locker room, given the nationalities Miami are likely to attract.
Bryan Meredith
Meredith is another of the experienced heads. The 30-year-old first joined the league in 2011, and although he has spent some time away during that spell, he is another who knows MLS inside-out.
He joins from Seattle Sounders, but he only made one appearance across two years at CenturyLink Field.
Behind Stefan Frei, Meredith hasn’t had a look-in, so we really haven’t seen what level he is at in recent years.
He will get the chance to prove himself at Inter, becoming the first goalkeeper to join the roster, but he will almost certainly face a fight for position with more promising goalkeepers as the club continues to add to its ranks.
