Inter Miami draws 3-3 after surrendering 3-goal halftime lead
Charlotte FC equalized in the second half to force a tie in the regular season finale, keeping Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
By Tunde Bailey ·
Inter Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte FC on Saturday at Nu Stadium. The match marked the end of the Major League Soccer regular season. Miami surrendered a three-goal halftime advantage to allow the tie.
Ian Fray opened the scoring in the 14th minute after a corner kick. Luis Suárez added a second goal in the 33rd minute from close range. Rodrigo De Paul extended the lead to 3-0 in the 42nd minute with a shot from outside the box. Lionel Messi did not score in the match.
Charlotte FC responded quickly in the second half. Liel Abada scored twice, finding the net in the 50th and 55th minutes. Rodolfo Aloko sealed the tie in the 90th minute. He finished a rebound after Tyger Smalls struck the post.
Messi finished the season with 26 goals. He is positioned to become the first player in MLS history to win consecutive Golden Boot awards. The team allowed a 3-0 lead to evaporate for the second time this season. Orlando City previously rallied past Miami 4-3 on May 2.
Miami secured the second seed in the Eastern Conference with 60 points. New England fell to third place after a 1-0 loss at Orlando. Nashville set a new single-season points record with 77, surpassing Miami's previous mark of 74 from 2024. Nashville achieved this milestone with a 2-0 victory over Cincinnati.
The postseason begins on Nov. 20. Miami will host the No. 5 seed Charlotte FC in a best-of-three first-round series. The No. 2 seed holds home advantage for the opening game.
