Inter Miami 1-1 Charlotte FC: summary, score, goals, highlights | MLS
Inter Miami - Charlotte FC: As it happened
Inter Miami held at home by Charlotte FC.
The Herons' hopes of breaking the MLS single-season points record were dented by a third consecutive MLS draw, this time at home to Charlotte FC.
Dean Smith's visitors were impressive throughout and took the lead early in the second half when Karol Swiderski managed to deflect the ball past Drake Callender from close range. In response Miami quickened the pace and they drew level through Lionel Messi, who found space on the edge of the box and rifled the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
There were chances for both teams in a frenetic final half an hour but the most glaring of the lot fell to Luis Suarez in the tenth minute of injury time. Messi and Jordi Alba combined to unlock the resolute Charlotte defence but the Uruguayan skied his effort from close range.
Another underwhelming performance from Inter Miami, who will need to show improvement if they are to progress deep in the playoffs.
Full time: Inter Miami 1-1 Charlotte FC
It ends all square at Chase Stadium. Lionel Messi scored to level for the Herons but Luis Suarez squandered a glorious late chance.
Luis Suarez misses a huge chance for Inter Miami!
How did he miss?
Lionel Messi floats a ball over to Jordi Alba on the left. He plays a perfect first-time pass across the face of goal for Suarez, who fires over the crossbar from two yards out!
Incredible drama at the death here.
We're over the designated nine minutes now, but there have been some stoppages late on. Can Miami find one last chance?
Dogged defending from Charlotte as first Luis Suarez and then Lionel Messi see chances slip past them. Brilliant defensive work from Dean Smith's side!
A loose ball on the edge of the Charlotte box falls to Benjamin Cremaschi and he belts the ball well over the crossbar, nearly clearing the stand behind the goal.
Charlotte go right up the other end and forge a chance of their own. Kerwin Vargas finds space in the box but his curling effort is off-target, a real opportunity wasted.
Glorious chance for Leo Campana!
That was the one!
Matias Rojas slides the ball through the Charlotte backline and finds Campana in on goal. The Ecuadorian strikes it firmly but Kahlina stands big to block the shot. Big chance for Campana to clinch it.
Can Inter Miami grab the three points late on here?!
They're pinning Charlotte back in their own box, looking to work an angle in the box for Messi, Suarez and Campana.
It's David Ruiz, Ian Fray and Benjamin Cremaschi coming on for Inter Miami.
Yannick Bright, Diego Gomez and Tomaz Aviles come off.
There's a break in play as stadium security are forced onto the field to tackle an autograph-hunting supporter.
Inter Miami ready some late changes.
We're going to have nine minutes of added time at the end of the 90.
A rather cross is curled in by Jordi Alba but Adilson Malanda miscues his clearance and boots it out for an Inter Miami corner kick.
The cross is swung in by Alba but headed clear.
We're into the final two minutes of normal time now.
Reminder, Inter Miami really need a win today to keep their hopes of an MLS points record alive.
Inter Miami are starting to turn the screw now.
First Lionel Messi twists and turns in the box, trying to make space for a shot.
The ball is worked out to Jordi Alba on the left. He curls in a lovely, arcing cross but Kahlina comes out well to claim it.
Charlotte get the ball clear.
The free kick is a poor one and comes to nothing for Charlotte.
Anyway, those Charlotte substitutions... Djibril Diani, Jamie Paterson and Iuri Tavares come on. Liel Abada, Junior Urso and Brandt Bronico come off.
Charlotte FC make a triple change. We'll bring you those substitutions just after this free kick for Charlotte...
Change for Miami. Federico Redondo off for Leo Campana.
Tomas Aviles
The young defender is booked for hauling down Patrick Agyemang on the edge of the Miami box.
Silly booking from the young defender, who has now received 13 yellows this season.
Watch: Lionel Messi goal levels things for Miami.
Here's a look at that goal from Lionel Messi, sweeping the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the box.
Charlotte FC have the ball in the back of the net but the assistant's flag is up!
Brilliant break from Abada and Vargas with the latter passing the ball into the back of the net. But the offside call was a correct one.
It's all happening now!
VAR decision - NO PENALTY, NO RED CARD
After viewing the incident on the VAR screen the referee has opted to reverse his decision.
No spot kick for Inter Miami and no second yellow for Malanda.
On we go...
VAR check
Hold on! Did Malanda get a toe on the ball before clattering into Gomez?
The referee is heading over to have a closer look...
Adilson Malanda
The Charlotte defender was the one making the tackle and he receives a second yellow card. He's off!
Penalty to Inter Miami!
Diego Gomez is tripped as he bursts through on goal! Referee points to the spot!
Sensational pass from Sergio Busquets to find Jordi Alba in space in the box. The opening is there for him but he opts to cut back inside and is dispossessed. Chance gone.
Adilson Malanda
The Charlotte defender is booked for a tussle with Luis Suarez.
That seems harsh, the Uruguayan definitely made the most of the contact.
Marcelo Weigandt
The Miami defender goes into the book for a late foul on Abada.
Now Charlotte are pushed into a substitution.
Biel Mas and Karol Swiderski are replaced. Kerwin Vargas and Patrick Agyemang come on.
Lionel Messi goal levels it for Inter Miami.
There's been a real shift in the Argentine's play in the last ten minutes, as if riled up by that Charlotte opener.
Messi had a couple of decent sightings before but he made no mistake with that last one.
GOOOOAAAAAAAAL! Lionel Messi
You can't give him two chances!
Just moments after he'd been denied from a similar range, Lionel Messi finds another pocket of space on the edge of the box and rifles the ball into the bottom corner.
All square!
Good save from Kahlina to spring to his right and palm a long-range Lionel Messi effort wide of the target. Corner kick to Miami.
Watch: Karol Swiderski goal puts Charlotte ahead.
Did he mean it? It's difficult to say for sure, but you can guarantee that Charlotte head coach Dean Smith won't care.
Lionel Messi comes close with a header.
The Argentine is upping the pace now, looking to drive his team onwards.
He drops deep an plays the ball out to Alba on the left. Messi ghosts into the box and Alba finds him with a cross but the No. 10's header is easily saved.
First change of the game for Inter Miami. Julian Gressel is off, replaced by Matias Rojas.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAL! Karol Swiderski
It's not pretty but the visitors have the lead. It's DP striker Swiderski who has Dean Smith's side ahead!
Sergio Busquets is forced into some real defender to clear a dangerous cross from Liel Abada from the left.
The former Celtic man has impressed so far this evening.
Diego Gomez
The Inter Miami midfielder has stayed down after a collision in the box. He's now receiving treatment from the medical staff.
Inter Miami come again, finding the head of Luis Suarez in the box. He nods the ball down for Lionel Messi but his left-foot strike is well saved by Kahlina.
Tomas Aviles plays a brilliant ball over the top to Suarez, who brings the pass down instantly. He curls in a quality cross towards Gomez but the young midfielder can't quite reach it.
Charlotte are continuing to hold their own at Chase Stadium, knocking the ball around with real confidence at the start of the second half.
No substitutions and no obvious changes from either team at the break.
And we're back!
Charlotte get the second half underway at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami struggle to break down Charlotte.
The Herons have looked tired in the opening 45 minutes, missing the dynamism needed to find a chink in this resolute Charlotte backline. Lionel Messi had the best opening of the game but, with recovering defenders baring down on him, opted to strike a tame effort from 18 yards out.
Half time: Inter Miami 0-0 Charlotte FC
We're going to have no stoppage time at the end of the first half.
Goalless at the break in Miami.
Again, Liel Abada finds himself in space on the left of the Inter Miami box and makes room for a shot. He strikes firmly through the ball but it's wild, soaring over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
Inter Miami try to play through the Charlotte defence with Gressel and Suarez but the passes are a little sloppy, a little too imprecise, and the opening fizzles out.
Story of the first half for the Herons.
Charlotte FC break with Abada on the left wing, charging forward and cutting inside onto his right. He finds Urso in the middle but he takes too long on the ball and sees it pinched off him.
Another wasted opening for the visitors.
Into the final five minutes of the first half, can Miami get something going before the break?
Neat work from Charlotte FC again, playing through the midfield to find Junior Urso on the edge of the box. He takes aim from 25 yards but the effort is wild and flies well over the crossbar.
With Inter Miami toiling away against Charlotte, some of the party atmosphere has drained from Chase Stadium. The visitors have done a brilliant job to dampen the home crowd here.
And just like that, Messi and Suarez nearly create something.
Messi drops into the No. 10 role to pick up the ball and slides a lovely ball through to Suarez, who flicks the ball onto his right foot and fires just wide of the post.
The assistant's flag is up, but it was a nice move from the Herons.
Diego Gomez is dropping back to make a midfield four whenever Inter Miami are out of possession, leaving Messi and Suarez stranded up front.
Inter Miami see another spell of pressure break down and Charlotte are back on the attack, gradually passing their way up the field.
That's been an issue for Inter Miami in the opening stages. They haven't managed to build any sustained pressure in the Charlotte half.
Neat one-two from Gressel and Suarez on the edge of the box, sending the Uruguayan running in behind the Charlotte backline. He clips a cross into the middle but no one's there to meet it.
Charlotte take the game to Miami in opening stages.
Halfway through the first half, this game has been surprisingly even.
Inter Miami have dominated the possession but Charlotte have fashioned some real openings with quality crosses and quick break. Dean Smith will be happy with this start.
Inter Miami win a free kick in the Charlotte half and Messi spots an opportunity. He takes the kick quickly, clipping the ball over the defence for Gomez to run on to.
Gomez bares down on goal but he's crowded out by recovering defenders and Charlotte manage to clear.
Again, another swift break from Charlotte leaves Inter Miami struggling at the back. The visitors have a 3-on-2 in the Miami box but Liel Abada takes a heavy touch and the chance disappears.
We're only 20 minutes in and we're already seeing huge spaces appearing in the midfield, making the game feeling very end-to-end.
This has harmed Inter Miami in recent days and they've dropped points late on because of it!
Nearly an opening for Miami as Gomez wins the ball high up and finds Suarez on the edge of the box. Suarez slides the ball through to Messi but the Argentine takes a surprisingly loose touch and Ream gets back to pinch the ball back.
Brilliant pass from Westwood to find Byrne in space on the right flank. He curls in a cross towards Swiderski in the middle but the No. 9 can't bring the ball down and the chance goes begging.
Another chance goes begging for the visitors.
It's end-to-end now.
Miami come forward with Jordi Alba, who tries to loft a volleyed cross into the box. He miscues his effort but it causes panic who the Charlotte goalkeeper, who watches it bounce just wide of his back post.
Another dangerous ball from Charlotte FC, this time from Biel Mas on the right flank. Again, it's a teasing delivery but again there's no one in the middle to finish the chance.
Charlotte need more from Swiderski there!
Long ball forward from Charlotte finds the head of Karol Swiderski, who tries an outrageous flicked header to beat Callender. His looping effort spins up into the air and onto the roof of the net.
Inter Miami break with Diego Gomez on the left. He makes good progress to surge into the box but is a little indecisive and can't find a teammate in the middle.
Good work from Abada on the left flank, cutting inside onto his right foot and curling in a low cross. It causes panic in the Miami defence but there's no one there to finish.
Big chance for the visitors!
Lionel Messi misses one-on-one!
SLick move from Inter Miami sets Messi running in on goal. He's behind the backline but chooses to shoot from 18 yards and sees his effort saved from Kahlina.
Messi took that very early, probably fearing that he didn't have the pace to take it much further.
Good work from Liel Abada to pinch the ball off Alba and win Charlotte a throw-in on the right flank. A chance for them to get the ball under control.
It looks like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are starting as a two up front, operating as an old fashioned strikerforce.
First bit of quality from Miami with Messi sliding the ball out to Alba on the left. Alba zips a low pass across the face of goal but Diego Gomez can't turn it home.
Good opening for the hosts.
Inter Miami are playing with Sergio Busquets as part of the central defensive pairing alongside Tomas Aviles. Yannick Bright is dropping into defence for the build-up.
Finally a few touches with Charlotte, who immediately look for Brandt Bronico on the left flank. He darts inside and wins a free kick for his team.
Solid start for Inter Miami, who knock the ball around the midfield coolly. Charlotte FC sit back in defence.
And we're off!
Inter Miami get things underway.
Inter Miami - Charlotte FC team news.
Moments to go until kick-off now. Here's one final look at the two teams...
Inter Miami ready for action.
The Herons could essentially wrap up the Supporters' Shield with a win tonight. They can do so mathematically against Columbus Crew next week, but a victory this evening would be a big step forward.
The teams are out!
The players of Inter Miami and Charlotte FC are out on the field ahead of kick-off at Chase Stadium.
Lionel Messi and Ashley Westwood shakes hands with the referee.
With just four Matchdays remaining in the regular season, the race for the MLS Golden Boot is really heating up. Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are among the names in contention but there's a former Premier League star at the top of the charts as it stands...
Just minutes to go until kick-off at Chase Stadium.
The scene is set. The stands are packed. We're nearly ready for the off in South Florida, as Inter Miami take on Charlotte FC.
Watch: Charlotte FC breeze past New England
They weren't up against much opposition, but Charlotte showed what they could do in last weekend's 4-0 win over the Revolution. This goal from Kerwin Vargas was the icing on the cake, a brilliant team goal with an inch-perfect finish.
Lionel Messi has been making memories throughout his stellar career and has lift his mark on MLS during his time in the league. This heart-warming video shows the Argentine taking the time to chat with sick children in Miami.
Can Charlotte FC pull off a shock against Inter Miami?
Charlotte FC are coached by former Aston Villa and Norwich City boss Dean Smith, who has overseen real growth during his time in charge. Speaking ahead of kick-off Smith insisted that his team wouldn't be overly focused on Inter Miami, although they would seek to slow him down in possession.
Kick-off fast approaching at Chase Stadium.
The Herons have the chance to bounce back this evening and have named a full strength team to take on Charlotte FC.
The players are out on the turf for the warm-ups in Miami. Kick-off around 20 minutes away now.
Charlotte in the house.
Amid all the talk of Inter Miami's record hunt, the importance of tonight's game for Charlotte FC should not be underestimated. They have shown improvement under Dean Smith this season and Charlotte find themselves just four points off fourth place, within reach of home advantage for the post-season.
A victory against Miami this evening would be a real confidence boost for the Crown.
After a decade in English soccer, Ashley Westwood swapped the Premier League for MLS when he made the move to North Carolina.
Over the summer we spoke to the Charlotte FC captain about the decision to leave England, his impressions of MLS and his ambitions with his new team.
Inter Miami look to return to winning ways.
The Herons have now failed to win two consecutive games, a long stretch by their incredible 2024 standards. After draws against Atlanta United and New York City FC, can they clinch the three points today?
The Supporters' Shield could be wrapped up in the coming days, but the big prize is still to play for. Inter Miami will be focused on the playoffs and Tata Martino insists that Lionel Messi will be hitting top form when it really matters...
Charlotte FC name full-strength XI.
And here's how the visitors line up. Former Premier League star Ashley Westwood captains the team. DP striker Karol Swiderski retains his place up front, despite an impressive performance from Patrick Agyemang off the bench midweek.
Inter Miami team news.
Here's how Tata Martino's side line up this evening. No major surprises, all of Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba named in the starting XI.
Inter Miami players close to suspension.
While we await official team news for Inter Miami, here's a look at their suspension situation.
The Herons are without Noah Allen due to accumulation of yellow cards. However they have a number of players who are just one booking away from a suspension, including Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba.
Luis Suarez goes blonde!
We've seen plenty of soccer players go for a shocking blonde look in recent years, Lionel Messi included, but who would've expected this? The 37-year-old Luis Suarez is experimenting with a new look.
Platinum blonde for the Golden Boot winner? We'll find out...
How many teams would have their all-time record goalscorer unable to force his way into the team. That's the fate that has befell Inter Miami striker Leonardo Campana, who came off the bench last week to break the club's all-time goals record.
Who are Inter Miami playing today?
The Herons continue their Supporters' Shield pursuit at home against Charlotte FC. Here's the full MLS schedule for Matchday 35, which features plenty of exciting clashes...
With so many attacking talents at Tata Martino's disposal, the Inter Miami head coach has a tough job keeping his squad happy as we approach the business end of the season.
Will he be tempted to rest Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez ahead of the post-season? Here's how the Herons could line up...
Charlotte FC touch down in Florida.
Despite talk of Hurricane Helene disrupting tonight's game, the players and staff of Charlotte FC made to Miami safely. Conditions may be a bit breezy, but we're definitely going to see MLS action.
Is Lionel Messi fit to play for Inter Miami?
“The more full games Leo [Messi] plays, the better he will get. Obviously Leo doesn’t need to do different physical work in training, but rather a competitive rhythm every time he plays 90 minutes."
"That gives me an idea that he’s going to be in very good shape for the playoffs, because in addition to the games he plays with us, he also has games with the national team. So we have a lot of hope that he’ll be in very good shape for the playoffs”.
Inter Miami look to return to winning ways.
Strangely, Inter Miami's form has actually dipped since the return of Lionel Messi three games ago. The Argentine starred in his first game back but the Herons have gone on to draw the two following fixtures, losing pace in their pursuit of the MLS single-season points record.
First things first. While we will have live coverage right here, you can also follow Inter Miami - Charlotte FC with Apple TV+ and the MLS Season Pass. Here's everything you need to know...
Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami - Charlotte FC in MLS.
I'm Will Gittins, US soccer correspondent, and I'll be taking you through the action from Chase Stadium. Away we go!