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:

Sergio Busquets, B-

[KEN] New York City FC negated Busquets in the first half, ensuring at least one and usually two players shadowed the world-class playmaker. Miami coach Tata Martino moved Busquets higher up the field after halftime, forcing the Pigeons to choose between pulling back line defenders out of position or giving the Spanish legend room to receive the ball. Once Busquets got the ball, the Herons’ offense did begin to be more aggressive; lack of quality in the final third again plagued the Herons.

Inter Miami CF midfielder Sergio Busquets (5) saw more of the ball after halftime on Saturday. | Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

[MATT] I think most teams have figured out a way to stop Inter Miami isn't to put three players on Lionel Messi, but to clog up the ability of Busquets. He's the real maestro on the pitch... whether Messi is playing or not. He has a keen ability to find players in space and push an attack from the midfield. Martino was correct to put pressure on New York by changing up Busquets' playing position in the second half.