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 rival Orlando City SC drew 1-1 as Miami’s big three did not play in the match so they could get some rest.

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

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

The lead did not last long, however, as Orlando forward Duncan McGuire leveled the game in the 66 with a right-footed strike after finding some space in the center of the penalty area.

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

Lionel Messi did not participate in the match so he could get some rest from the tough schedule

Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets also stayed out of the match as they were given a rest day for Inter

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

Montreal occupies the first play-off spot with 37 points, but has still played two more games than Miami.

Second place in the playoffs is occupied by DC, who only has 36 points despite having played THREE more games than Miami.

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

That’s the same for both Chicago Fire and New York City in 11th and 12th, while Charlotte has just two points more than Miami after playing 29 games.

If Miami had been able to handle the shock loss to Orlando, they would have risen to tenth place.

Miami also suffered a potentially more serious blow when Benjamin Cremaschi was subbed off in stoppage time due to an apparent injury, although there is no update on his condition at this time.