Charlotte FC Rallies From Three Goal Deficit to Draw Inter Miami 3-3 in Regular Season Finale

Inter Miami Draws in Regular Season Finale

Inter Miami blew a three goal halftime lead and settled for a 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC on Saturday in its Major League Soccer regular season finale, despite appearing to be in complete control for much of the first half.

Lionel Messi was held scoreless as Miami surrendered three second-half goals, including Rodolfo Aloko’s equalizer in the 90th minute, to finish the regular season with a disappointing result heading into the MLS Cup playoffs. Messi finished the regular season with 26 goals and is poised to become the first player in MLS history to win consecutive Golden Boot awards.

Inter Miami Builds Three Goal Halftime Lead

Miami wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, with Ian Fray putting the hosts ahead 1-0 in the 14th minute following a corner kick. Luis Suárez doubled the advantage in the 33rd minute, tapping the ball home from close range after Germán Berterame headed Messi’s corner toward goal.

Rodrigo De Paul made it 3-0 in the 42nd minute with a shot from outside the penalty area, giving Inter Miami a commanding halftime advantage and putting the team in position to close out the regular season with a victory. However, the second half brought a dramatic turnaround as Charlotte mounted an unlikely comeback.

Charlotte FC Completes Dramatic Second Half Comeback

Liel Abada sparked Charlotte’s rally by scoring in the 50th minute before striking again five minutes later to cut Miami’s lead to 3-2. Inter Miami struggled to regain control as Charlotte continued pushing for an equalizer.

The visitors finally found it in the 90th minute when Aloko put away a rebound after Tyger Smalls struck the post, completing the comeback and securing a 3-3 draw. It marked another frustrating collapse for Miami at Nu Stadium. The last time Inter Miami surrendered a 3-0 lead at home was May 2, when Orlando City rallied to earn a 4-3 victory.

Inter Miami Finishes Second in Eastern Conference

Despite the draw, Inter Miami secured second place in the Eastern Conference with 60 points after third-place New England suffered a 1-0 loss to Orlando City. Nashville defeated Cincinnati 2-0 to finish with 77 points, breaking Miami’s MLS single-season points record of 74, which the club established in 2024. Miami will enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, while Charlotte FC secured the No. 5 seed.

Up Coming Matches for Inter Miami and Charlotte FC

Inter Miami will open its best-of-three first-round MLS Cup playoff series at home as it begins its postseason pursuit. Charlotte FC will enter the series as the fifth seed and look to carry the momentum from its dramatic comeback into the playoffs. The MLS Cup playoffs begin Nov. 20, with both teams preparing for another opportunity to make a run at the championship.