Miami ratings: Suarez and Busquets lead the Herons to a draw
Sergio Busquets filled in admirably at center-back, showcasing his versatility in a match where Lionel Messi was absent. Meanwhile, Luis Suarez extended his impressive goal-scoring run, maintaining his exceptional form in a thrilling draw.
Former Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez played key roles in leading a Messi-less Inter Miami to a hard-earned point against NYCFC on Saturday evening.
While this Miami side is still a work in progress, missing a player of Messi's caliber inevitably leaves a void. Last week's disappointing performance against the New York Red Bulls highlighted this fact. However, against NYCFC, Miami managed to secure a draw, a result that carries both positive and negative connotations when considering the broader context.
Suarez proved to be the standout performer for Inter Miami, notching his seventh goal of the season across all competitions, salvaging a crucial point for his side. Despite conceding one goal, courtesy of an Alonso Martinez strike following a defensive error by Jordi Alba, Miami showcased one of their best defensive displays of the season.
Overall, while the absence of Messi remains palpable, Miami's resilience in securing a draw against a strong opponent demonstrates signs of progress, particularly defensively, amidst their ongoing development as a team.
In a match where a former Barcelona star played a pivotal role on both ends, Luis Suarez found the back of the net for Inter Miami while Jordi Alba's error led to NYCFC's goal. However, it was another Barcelona legend, Sergio Busquets, who stole the spotlight with an exceptional performance for the Herons.
Tasked with playing at center-back, Busquets brought a newfound solidity to Inter Miami's previously vulnerable defense. His adaptability and effectiveness in this role could prompt coach Tata Martino to consider deploying him there again in the future, especially when the team is at full strength.
Despite missing key players across the field, Inter Miami managed to secure a valuable point. While some may view it as a disappointment, earning any points without Messi is commendable, particularly as the team looks ahead to crucial moments in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup. This result serves as a positive stepping stone for Miami as they navigate through the challenges of the season.
Inter Miami's players rating from Chase Stadium
Goalkeeper & Defense:
Drake Callender (6/10): Perhaps could have done better on the conceded goal, but overall had little else to contend with.
Jordi Alba (5/10): Marred by a costly giveaway leading to a goal, detracting from an otherwise standard performance from the former Barcelona star.
Sergio Busquets (8/10): Transitioned seamlessly into defense and delivered a standout performance, bringing composure to Inter Miami's backline and making a crucial tackle early in the second half.
Ryan Sailor (6/10): Given a rare start, Sailor performed admirably, displaying solidity in defense with little fault for the conceded goal.
Marcelo Weigandt (7/10): Despite his recent arrival, Weigandt immediately made an impact in defense. His performance suggests he could be a valuable asset to Inter Miami's defensive line.
Midfield
Diego Gomez (6/10): Didn't display the same level of dynamism and influence seen in previous performances. While not a poor showing, there's room for improvement.
Yannick Bright (6/10): Put in a solid effort, showing assertiveness in midfield until a knock forced him off early in the second half.
David Ruiz (7/10): Impressed, especially in the first half, with his composed ball control and ability to retain possession. Contributed some good shots on goal, highlighting his overall strong performance.
Attack
Robert Taylor (6/10): Demonstrated exceptional work rate and had several promising moments. Although he didn't directly contribute to a goal, he created several opportunities that could have resulted in one.
Luis Suarez (7/10): Displayed his trademark tenacity and goal-scoring prowess, constantly pressuring the NYCFC defense throughout the match. Despite numerous chances, he only managed to convert one, but his performance resembled vintage Suarez.
Julian Gressel (7/10): Showed his expertise as a dead ball specialist, as evidenced by his precise free-kick delivery for Suarez's goal. Gressel's ability to provide quality service was a key asset for the team.
Substitutes & Manager
Tomas Aviles (6/10): Stepped in for Bright after his injury and performed well defensively while also displaying composure on the ball.
Jose Casas de Abadal (6/10): Substituted in for Gressel but had limited involvement in the match.
Leo Alfonso (6/10): Entered the game in the 71st minute and had minimal impact.
Tata Martino (6/10): Martino's decision to deploy Busquets at center-back proved to be a masterstroke, contributing to a solid defensive performance. However, despite securing a point, there may have been missed opportunities to capitalize further against a struggling NYCFC side. The use of more attacking options like Leo Campana and Shanyder Borgelin off the bench could have potentially provided a more aggressive approach.
