Three Up, Three Down: Ruiz is steady in 1-1 home draw; management gets thumbs down for price hikes

Inter Miami’s Tomas Aviles headed in a good corner kick from Robert Taylor late in stoppage time Saturday to salvage a 1-1 draw against New York City FC. THE Herons played without Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, again, but remain four points below the playoff cutoff with four matches to play. After each match, I pick the Herons’ most — and least — impactful three players and site co-expert Matt Clark tells us why I’m right or wrong. Here we go:

Three up

David Ruiz, B+

The young homegrown midfielder was the Herons’ most consistently reliable player on the pitch last night. Ruiz showed improved passing and decision-making and, while he did over-dribble at times, he didn’t turn the ball as a consequence. And he almost — I know, almost doesn’t count — almost gave Inter Miami an unlikely win, banging a shot off the underside of the bar late in stoppage time that struck just on the wrong side of the goal line. So close!

Inter Miami CF midfielder David Ruiz (41) dribbles the ball against New York City FC in Saturday’s 1-1 tie at DRV PNK Stadium. | Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

So close is right. I was looking for an "A" player in this match and, like Ken, couldn't find one. It wasn't the cleanest night for Ruiz, but he was better than average. When you are without your best player... better than average is good enough.