Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami summary: score, goals & highlights | MLS Decision Day
Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami: As it happened
Wild celebrations as Charlotte FC reach the playoffs
Charlotte's narrow victory over Inter Miami secured playoff qualification for the first time in franchise history! Check out the celebrations at the full-time whistle...
Which teams are in the MLS playoffs?
After a thrilling Decision Day in the East, the following Eastern Conference teams have all qualified for the playoffs: Cincinnati, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, Nashville, New York Red Bulls and Charlotte FC.
New York Red Bulls join Charlotte in the playoffs!
Ahead of the final round of games there were two spots up for grabs in the East. Charlotte's win over Inter Miami secured one and they will be joined by the New York Red Bulls, who scored a 93rd-minute penalty to leap-frog Montreal.
Incredible drama on MLS Decision Day!
Charlotte FC make the playoffs!
For the first time in franchise history, Charlotte FC will be playing in the post-season this year! They rode their luck in the final minutes but they have done it.
Kristijan Kahlina takes Charlotte to the playoffs!
This was the moment! With Charlotte needing a win to make the playoffs, goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina pulled off this incredible finger-tip save to keep his team ahead against Inter Miami.
Given the circumstances, you will not see a better save anywhere this season!
Full time! Charlotte close in on the playoffs
Charlotte FC have beaten Inter Miami and look to be heading into the playoffs! We're still waiting for other games to finish before that is confirmed, but it looks like a first-ever playoffs appearances for Charlotte!
Huge cheers as Charlotte win a free kick in the Inter Miami half! That could be enough to see them through and into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Chances! Inter Miami
Extraordinary! Charlotte FC are living very dangerously now, more chances for Inter Miami as the ball bounces around the penalty box but they can't quite find the final touch!
Goal kick to Charlotte. Just a minute remaining now!
So close! Inter Miami
WHAT A SAVE!
Unbelievable from Kristijan Kahlina, who denies Campana with a brilliant full-stretch save. The Charlotte goalkeeper is keeping his team in the playoffs!
Corner to Inter Miami.
Inter Miami are struggling to find any width without the likes of Robert Taylor and Facundo Farias to call upon. Everything is coming through the middle and it's making it easy for Charlotte to crowd them out.
Justin Meram
The Charlotte substitute picks up a booking for a tactical foul near to the Inter Miami corner flag.
Charlotte are starting to ease off with their high press a little now, perhaps an acknowledgement that the full time whistle is drawing closer now.
Chance! Inter Miami
Finally Miami get Jordi Alba in space on the left flank. He squares the ball for Leo Campana, but the Ecuadorian's swivelled finish is well off-target.
More nerves for the Charlotte crowd.
Sloppy play from both sides as the ball is won and lost in quick succession. Charlotte seem unwilling to play for time, continuing to press forward in search of a second goal whenever they get the ball.
Charlotte are continuing with their high-pressing style as we head into the final ten minutes of normal time. It's worked so far but it does look risky, especially with Lionel Messi poised to punish them on the counter attack.
With less than 15 minutes to play in the Eastern Conference regular season, Charlotte FC and Montreal are heading to the playoffs. The two New York teams and Chicago Fire will mis out.
After receiving treatment on the field, Karol Swiderski is replaced by Scott Arfield.
Another change for Inter Miami. Cremaschi and Gregore make way, Robinson and Arroyo enter the fray.
Karol Swiderski is down for Charlotte after taking a knock on the halfway line.
Big chance! Charlotte
Poor from Cremaschi to give the ball away but Charlotte take full advantage. Karol Swiderski is through on goal but can't quite sort his feet out and CJ dos Santos gets down well to save.
NYCFC boost Charlotte's playoff hopes
Everything's going Charlotte's way as Chicago go behind against NYCFC, courtesy of this outrageous strike from Julian Fernandez. Chicago are one of the teams that can overtake Charlotte with a win.
Charlotte are in the playoffs, as it stands.
Early opening from Meram as he strike an ambitious volley from the edge of the box. Easily saved by Kahlina.
There's also a double change for Charlotte as Vargas and Jozwiak are replaced by Meram and Dejaeghere.
Jordi Alba comes on for Inter Miami, replacing Noah Allen.
Close! Charlotte
Charlotte corner ball is whipped in and falls to Bronico on the edge of the box. He connects well but his effort flies over the crossbar.
There's a few substitutions being readied now, expect imminent changes for both sides.
Messi's free-kick strikes the wall and Charlotte get it cleared.
The hosts are straight up the other end on the counter-attack and Enzo Copetti wins a corner kick for his team.
Another chance for Lionel Messi now as he is fouled on the edge of the box, around 30 yards from goal, right of centre. Can he find an equaliser from here?
Off the woodwork! Inter Miami
Lionel Messi takes the free kick from a tight angle and whips it goalwards. The fierce delivery takes a deflection off a Charlotte player and Kahlina makes a brilliant reaction save to push the ball onto the crossbar.
Charlotte living dangerously now!
Kerwin Vargas (Charlotte)
Free kick to Inter Miami on the right of the box, at a very tight angle. Vargas blocked a Yedlin cross with his hand, giving Messi a chance to deliver...
Lionel Messi is playing very centrally now, as a more traditional attacking midfielder. Inter Miami have Cremaschi and Gomez on either side of Messi, with both full-backs given license to charge forward.
Charlotte come streaming forward, led by Swiderski. The Polish forward slips the ball to Kerwin Vargas but the Charlotte goalscorer can't find his way through a sea of bodies.
Inter Miami get the ball clear.
More good play from Inter Miami as DeAndre Yedlin charges forward down the right flank, whipping in a teasing low cross. Adilson Malanda gets a foot in to block the opportunity but he can only divert the ball out for a corner.
Messi takes, but it's easily cleared.
Lionel Messi is started to get into the game in the second half, finding space in the middle of the pitch and looking to take advantage of Charlotte's high line.
It will be interesting to see how long the hosts persevere with this risk-taking style of play.
If anything, that Messi disallowed goal seems to have stoked the crowd at Bank of America Stadium. This result would see the hosts through to the playoffs, but a single Miami goal could change that.
Goal disallowed! Lionel Messi
The Inter Miami captain races onto a through ball and brilliantly lifts the ball over Kristijan Kahlina and into the net.
Immediately the linesman's flag is raised and the goal is ruled out for an offside. Miami are starting to take advantage of Charlotte's high line.
Chance! Charlotte
Brilliant footwork from Brandt Bronico on the left wing, dancing his way into the penalty box. He looks to pull the ball back to Enzo Copetti on the six-yard box but Allen gets a foot in to clear the danger.
So, to recap: Charlotte are heading to the playoffs, as it stands, as this victory betters the current results of Montreal NY Red Bulls and Chicago Fire (all drawing)
But it would only take a single goal for Inter Miami to knock Charlotte out of the playoff places.
And we're back!
Inter Miami get us underway in the second half. No chances for either team, let's see what Inter Miami can muster in the final 45 minutes of their 2023 season...
The players are back out on the pitch for the second half. Can Charlotte see out the victory here and book their place in the post-season? We're about to find out...
Giakoumakis in the race for MLS Golden Boot!
It looked like Denis Bouanga had the Golden Boot wrapped up, but a first half brace for Georgios Giakoumakis has brought the Atlanta United striker within two goals of the leader. Lets see if he can draw level with Bouanga in the second half.
ICYMI: Kerwin Vargas gives Charlotte the lead
Will this prove to be the crucial moment for Charlotte? Young forward Vargas gave his side the lead early in the first half and could have booked their place in the playoffs.
As it stands Charlotte will make it to the post-season, but a single goal for Inter Miami could see them miss out. A fascinating second 45 minutes awaits us at Bank of America Stadium...
Peeep peeeeeep peeeeeeep
And that's halftime in Charlotte! With other results going their way, as it stands Charlotte FC are heading to the playoffs.
One interesting feature of the first half has been Charlotte's dedication to their man-marking style. Central defender Andrew Privett has been dragged so high up the pitch in a bid to track the Miami midfielders, leaving real space in behind for the visitors to exploit.
You would imagine that Tata Martino's halftime team talk will focus on that.
There will be two minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
It's been a pretty evenly balanced game so far, with few chances for either side. The chances that have been created have largely come from defensive lapses.
Better from the hosts as the battle hard for the ball on the edge of the Miami box. Byrne shows neat footwork on the right and curls in a deep cross towards Enzo Copetti in the middle. He can't direct his header with any power and the Miami goalkeeper claims the ball well.
Chance! Inter Miami
Real chance for Miami as Messi plays in Yedlin down the right flank. The right-back pulls a low cross back towards Sergio Gomez but the midfielder scuffs his right-footed effort.
The Charlotte backline are taking up some very advanced positions and are leaving space in behind.
Inter Miami are starting to control the game now looking comfortable in possession across the backline. Charlotte trying to slow the game down and prevent the visitors turning that possession into clear chances.
Messi gets on the ball again and drives towards the Charlotte backline. He looks to thread an eye-of-the-needle pass through to the on-rushing Cremaschi, but he can't quite find the young midfielder.
Brilliant play from Lionel Messi as he skips by two midfielders on the halfway line. He's dragged back and wins his team a free kick.
First flashes of inspiration from the Inter Miami captain.
Inter Miami goalkeeper CJ dos Santos has looked very confident and proactive with his passing tonight, but is taking some risks in possession.
Elsewhere in the West, Columbus Crew have equalised against Montreal. As it stands Charlotte are occupying the eighth-place Wild Card spot for the playoffs.
Let's see how things develop this evening...
We haven't seen much from Lionel Messi in the opening 28 minutes. Charlotte have done well to marshal the World Cup-winner so far, crowding him out in central areas.
Charlotte miss out on a great opportunity as Vargas opts to shoot from a tight angle, ignoring two teammates screaming for the ball on the edge of the box. Vargas immediately holds up a hand in apology, but he should have done better there.
Benjamin Cremaschi appears to have real freedom to push further up the pitch and run in behind the Charlotte backline. The midfield duo of Busquets and Gregore is being left to guard the defence, allowing greater fluidity for the attackers.
Adilson Malanda
Another booking, the third of the game so far, as the Charlotte defender stamps on Sergio Gomez on the halfway line. He's now walking a tight rope.
Kerwin Vargas opens the scoring!
Here's another look at that opener for Charlotte. What a noise in Bank of America Stadium! And what a celebration from Vargas!
Close! Charlotte FC
It was Karol Swiderski who took the kick and nearly doubled Charlotte's lead! His left-footed effort take a nick off the wall and flies just wide of the top corner.
The free kick is actually quite far out, close to 30 yards, but it looks like Ashley Westwood is going to have a go...
Gregore
The Inter Miami midfielder is booked after a mistimed tackle on Enzo Copetti on the edge of the box. Good shooting opportunity for the hosts now...
Charlotte come forward again after a cheap give-away from Benjamin Cremaschi. Gregore gets back to put a challenge in, but Inter Miami need to up their game here.
The home crowd is rocking at Bank of America Stadium.
That goal could not have come at a better time for Charlotte! Elsewhere in the East playoff rivals Montreal had just taken the lead against Columbus Crew, meaning that Charlotte would likely need a win to make the playoffs.
Just seconds later, they delivered!
GOOOOOAAAAL! Kerwin Vargas
The hosts have the breakthrough on Deadline Day and it's Kerwin Vargas once again! The ball bounced to the winger in the box and he showed great instincts to shift it onto his left foot and finish from close range!
Nearly an opening for Charlotte as a long ball over the top gives Karol Swiderski to sprint in behind. He looks to be in on goal until MLS debutant goalkeeper CJ dos Santos slides out to clear the danger.
Positive start for the 23-year-old.
It looks like Lionel Messi will be playing fairly centrally tonight, just off the more physical presence of Leo Campana. Sergio Gomez and Benjamin Cremaschi are playing slightly wider in the midfielder.
Gregore has looked good in the opening stages and could be a key player for Miami next season. The combative midfielder adds steel to Busquets' guile.
Ashley Westwood
One of the clearest bookings of the season as the Charlotte captain pulls back Gregore to extinguish an Inter Miami counter-attack.
Danger averted, but Westwood will have to be disciplined for the remainder of the game.
Offside: Benjamin Cremaschi
Inter Miami have the ball in the back of the net but it's ruled out for offside. Benjamin Cremaschi played a brilliant ball in for Leo Campana to finish but the young Argentine began the move in an offside position.
That's a let-off for Charlotte!
What a noise! We thinks there's at least 70,000 fanatical supporters in attendence tonight and they are making themselves heard for this crucial MLS clash.
And we're off!
The hosts get us underway for MLS Decision Day 2023! Let's see what drama we have in store...
We're nearly ready for kick-off at Bank of America Stadium! Both teams are out on the field and the stands are packed, Charlotte will get us underway...
One to watch: Leo Campana
Of course, the other Leo attracts most of the attention but the importance of the Ecuadorian striker should not be down-played. Campana has notched crucial goals for the team and turned provider when these two teams met on Wednesday, whipping in a brilliant left-footed cross to create the late equaliser.
One to watch: Karol Swiderski
The Polish forward leads the team for goals this season and has been the team's most consistent performer across a rollercoaster year for the team. He scored for his international team earlier this month and could be the difference-maker tonight.
Atmosphere building at Bank of America Stadium
There only around ten minutes to go until kick-off in North Carolina, as Charlotte FC prepare to take on Inter Miami for a place in the playoffs. We might have a record attendance tonight, and they will certainly make themselves heard.
Inter Miami prepare for final 2023 MLS fixture
The Herons are being put through their paces as kick-off approaches at Bank of America Stadium. Lionel Messi features from the start after missing the reverse fixture last Monday due to international commitments.
The Inter Miami captain will want to close out his debut MLS season in style.
It may be a road game for Inter Miami, but expect to see plenty of Lionel Messi shirts at Bank of America Stadium tonight. Messi-mania has taken over the country, as is clear to see at the Adidas store on Miami Beach.
The Inter Miami star now dominates the brand's store...
Charlotte vs Inter Miami on Decision Day in the East
For the final round of regular season fixtures all seven Eastern Conference fixtures will be played simultaneously. Charlotte need at least a point against Inter Miami - who welcome back Lionel Messi - to stand any chance of making it to the post-season.
Alongside Charlotte, any two of Montréal, New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire and New York FC can snatch a place in the playoffs.
We're in for a thrilling evening of MLS action!
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As Charlotte prepare to take on Inter Miami for a place in the playoffs we take a look at what each team in MLS needs to make it to the post-season. All of the fixtures in the Eastern Conference are set to kick-off within the next hour and the picture could change dramatically across the 90 minutes.
Here's how things stand ahead of the Decision Day fixtures...
Inter Miami in the house
After a hard-fought draw against Charlotte mid-week, Inter Miami will be looking to end a rollercoaster season on a positive note. The arrival of Lionel Messi transformed the team's performances and delivered a Leagues Cup triumph, but he wasn't quite able to lift them into the playoffs.
And here's the Charlotte FC starting XI...
Charlotte go into tonight's game needing at least a point to stand any chance of making it to the post-season. Designated Player striker Enzo Copetti has struggled for goals this season but he got a crucial opener in Wednesday's match, can he be the hero for Charlotte tonight?
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Good news for the bumper crowd expected in North Carolina tonight - Lionel Messi starts! It's a massive game for Charlotte with playoff qualification on the line and the home crowd is expected to break records...
Inter Miami starting XI
Here's the full line up for Inter Miami against Charlotte. Lionel Messi is part of a South American attacking trident, alongside Facundo Farias and Leo Campana.
Lionel Messi starts for Inter Miami!
We have confirmation that the Argentina captain will start for the Herons in their final MLS fixture of the season. Charlotte FC's path to the playoffs just got a little harder...
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Inter Miami's chances of making the post-season ended with a recent loss to FC Cincinnati, but Charlotte FC are one of ten teams still battling to make the playoffs on the final day. We take a look at the teams who have already booked their spots in Round One of the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs...
Who is in the team for Inter Miami?
We haven't yet had confirmed line ups from the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, but the Inter Miami social network team have dropped a few hints about the starting XI. Gregore Benjamin Cremaschi and Lionel Messi were all featured on the pre-game post.
Hello and welcome to AS USA on MLS Decision Day 2023.
We'll be bringing you all the latest from North Carolina as Charlotte FC take on Inter Miami in the final day of regular season fixtures. The hosts are battling for a place in the playoffs, while Miami will be playing their final game of the 2023 season.
Lionel Messi has returned from international duty and is expected to feature for the visitors. Team news to come shortly...