The goalkeeping dominoes in Major League Soccer are falling fast, and it appears Minnesota United has found its new No. 1.
Following the departure of 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair—who is reportedly headed to Inter Miami—a report from Tom Bogert indicates that the Loons have moved quickly to acquire goalkeeper Drake Callender.
According to emerging reports, Minnesota United has reached an agreement to bring the former Inter Miami and Charlotte FC shot-stopper to Saint Paul. If confirmed, this move would immediately fill the massive void left between the posts at Allianz Field.
The goalkeeper merry-go-round
This transaction appears to be the final piece of a complex goalkeeper shuffle across the league:
1. Dayne St. Clair departs Minnesota via free agency, reportedly signing with Inter Miami to chase trophies alongside Lionel Messi.
2. Drake Callender, who captained Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup title before being traded to Charlotte FC in August 2025, is now on the move again.
3. With Charlotte already boasting an established starter in Kristijan Kahlina, Callender’s brief stint in the Queen City seems to have been a holding pattern before this opportunity in Minnesota emerged.
Who are the Loons getting?
In Callender, Minnesota is getting a proven MLS starter with championship pedigree.
- Experience: The 28-year-old was pivotal in Inter Miami’s 2023 Leagues Cup run, winning the “Best Goalkeeper” award and converting a penalty in the final shootout.
- Shot-stopping: Known for his athleticism and reflex saves, Callender has been on the fringes of the USMNT picture, earning call-ups in 2023 and 2024.
- Chip on his shoulder: After losing his starting spot in Miami and spending the back half of 2025 as a backup in Charlotte, Callender arrives in Minnesota with a clear point to prove.
Analysis
This is a shrewd pivot by the front office. Replacing a fan favorite like St. Clair is never easy, but bringing in a goalkeeper of Callender’s caliber—someone who has handled the pressure of playing with global superstars and winning finals—mitigates the drop-off significantly. It allows the Loons to remain competitive in 2026 without handing the keys to an unproven prospect.
Tale of the tape: St. Clair vs. Callender
On paper, the transition from Dayne St. Clair to Drake Callender is a move from one elite athletic shot-stopper to another. Both keepers are 28 years old, standing 6’3″, with careers defined by high-profile penalty shootout heroics.
Here is the head-to-head comparison:
| Metric | Dayne St. Clair | Drake Callender |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 28 | 28 |
| Height | 6’3″ | 6’3″ |
| MLS experience | 6 seasons (all with MNUFC) | 4 seasons (Miami and Charlotte) |
| Career appearances (regular season) | 135 | 95 |
| Best season | 2025 (MLS GK of the Year) | 2023 (Leagues Cup Best GK) |
| Playing style | Elite reflex saves; high claim frequency | Vocal organizer; penalty specialist |
| Signature moment | 2022 All-Star Game MVP performance | Scored and saved PK to win Leagues Cup 2023 |
| International status | Canada (regular call up) | United States (fringe/rotation) |
While losing the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year is a blow, Callender offers a nearly identical physical profile with a slightly different mentality. St. Clair often relied on spectacular, acrobatic reflexes to bail out the defense. Callender is known for being more vocal in organizing his backline to prevent shots before they happen, though he proved in the 2023 Leagues Cup run that he can step up in the biggest moments.
From a roster construction standpoint, this is a “like-for-like” swap that keeps the Loons’ goalkeeping union strong without needing to develop a rookie in a high-pressure season.
We will update this story as official details on the trade compensation become available.
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