Former MLS defender Calen Carr has suggested that Inter Miami made an error with playing Sergio Busquets at center-back against FC Cincinnati.
The 35-year-old defensive midfielder was paired with Sergii Kryvtsov at the back with Tomas Aviles missing from the game, with Busquets enduring arguably his worst performance yet since signing for Inter Miami.
The former FC Barcelona defender was painfully slow to Cincinnati’s attackers as Busquets was eventually sent off after picking up a second yellow card, leaving the pitch angry, as Inter Miami suffered their worst defeat in MLS history.
And Carr has suggested that Inter Miami made an error in starting Busquets in defense.
Carr claims Cincinnati were licking their lips at Busquets starting at center-back
Speaking on MLS Extratime, the former Houston Dynamo attacker highlighted how Cincinnati were probably counting their lucky stars when they saw Busquets lining up as a central defender for Inter Miami.
Given the amount of players Inter Miami have at the back, it’s no real wonder Busquets was drafted in to play the position, yet the decision could go down as a mistake from Tata Martino, with the Herons horribly exposed.
Carr said on Inter Miami’s loss to Cincinnati: “Once again, Lucho, just ridiculous in the box on that goal where he just turns [Sergii] Kryvtsov and Busquets. I feel like when Cincinnati saw that team sheet and they saw Busquets at center-back, they were like ‘all right, we’re going to have a good day.’
“That mobile front three with Yaya Kubo in the front, just that activity that Cincinnati have against those center-backs, that was always going to be a problem, and they obviously made Inter Miami pay.”
Inter Miami need new signings more than ever
With Nicolas Freire out for the remainder of the year with Aviles and Kryvtsov the only two natural center-backs in the squad, Inter Miami need new signings at the back more than ever before.
The record-breaking loss to Cincinnati highlighted just how badly Inter Miami need reinforcements if they’re to make a serious attempt at winning both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup.
And relying on the likes of Busquets to fill in the gaps just isn’t going to cut it for the Herons, who need natural players for cover in central defense, where titles and trophies can be won or lost.