Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba sit as Inter Miami and Orlando City play to a 1-1 draw… hurting the Herons’ MLS playoff odds

Inter Miami CF and in-state rival Orlando City SC played to a 1-1 draw as Miami’s big three did not play in the game so they could pick up some rest.

Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba all sat out the matchup on Sunday.

Miami midfielder David Ruiz scored the opening goal in the 52 minute after putting a shot into the upper left corner of the net shortly after halftime.

The lead did not last long however as Orlando attacker Duncan McGuire tied the game up in the 66 with a right-footed strike after he found some space in the middle of the box.

After dropping points against Orlando, Miami has seen their chances of making the playoffs fade even further away as they currently sit 14th in the MLS Eastern Conference with 32 points.

Lionel Messi did not participate in the game so he could pick up rest amid the tough schedule 

Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also sat out the contest as they received a rest day for Inter 

Heading into Sunday’s contest Miami had been given a chance to make up a fair amount of ground in the playoff race after DC United, Montreal and Charlotte FC all suffered losses this weekend.

Montreal occupies the first playoff spot on 37 points, yet having played two games more than Miami.

The second playoff spot is occupied by DC, who are only on 36 points despite playing THREE more games than Miami.

The Red Bulls are just behind them on 34 points after their victory on Saturday, however Troy Lesesne’s team has also played 30 games.

That is the same for both Chicago Fire and New York City in 11th and 12th place, while Charlotte has just two points more than Miami having played 29 games.

Had Miami been able to pull off the shocking upset against Orlando, they would have shot up the table to 10th place.  

Miami also suffered a potentially more serious blow as Benjamin Cremaschi was subbed off in stoppage time due to an apparent injury although there has not been an update on his condition at this time.