MLS expert Matt Doyle has suggested that one Inter Miami youngster has struggled this season despite the Florida franchise’s form.
The Herons sit top of the Supporters’ Shield standings at the halfway point of the regular season, with Inter Miami the most productive team in front of goal with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading the attacking with ferocious efficiency.
Yet despite all the headlines and the records the attack have created this season, issues at the back have remained a problem, with Inter Miami shipping 27 goals in 18 league matches, the joint-eighth highest in all of MLS this year.
And one player in the backline has been signaled out for criticism this season.
Tomas Aviles highlighted as weak point in Inter Miami’s defense
Writing for MLS’s official website, Doyle noted that teenage defender Tomas Aviles has struggled at points this season, with the 19-year-old center-back still learning the ropes of playing in MLS.
Whilst Aviles has enjoyed some good moments this season, it’s clear that the youngster has struggled for the majority of the year, with Inter Miami’s defensive structure simply not accommodating enough for the teenager.
Indeed, Aviles is a player with a lot of potential, with former Inter Miami star Kieran Gibbs tipping the defender for a big future, yet it’s clear that the youngster will need support this summer if he’s to return to his best.
Doyle wrote: “The defense is poor in open play – young Toto Aviles in particular has struggled – and beyond poor on restarts. That’s why Messi & Co. have had to author so many comeback wins in the first place.”
Inter Miami must sign a new partner for Aviles this summer
Aviles’ form has taken quite a hit since the season-ending injury to Nicolas Freire, with the Argentine defender forming a good partnership with the teenage defender after some teething issues this season.
And this summer, Inter Miami must make it their main mission to sign a new center-back partner for Aviles, with Sergii Kryvtsov simply not cutting it at the moment at the back for the Herons.
With Aviles having bags of potential, signing the ideal partner for the 19-year-old could be what transforms Inter Miami’s defense around, with the Argentine in need of a new teammate to help dominate at the back.