Inter Miami vs Charlotte summary: score, goals, highlights | MLS
Inter Miami vs Charlotte: As it happened
Charlotte FC were left frustrated after conceding late on against Inter Miami to leave their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
The visitors took the lead shortly before halftime as Enzo Copetti found the breakthrough. However in the final minute of added time Miami were level when Nicolas Stefanelli applied a clinical finishing touch to a brilliant Tomas Aviles cross.
Both teams came out of the blocks sharply in the second half but it was Charlotte who edged back in front, Kewin Vargas finishing well at the back post.
The visitors knew that a win would leave them in a commanding position on the final day but their playoff hopes were dented with the concession of yet another late goal. Miami substitute Robbie Robinson ghosted into the Charlotte box to finish coolly from close range.
In the final minutes it was Miami who came the closest to finding a late winner, but Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina saved his team from a late collapse.
Charlotte FC throw the lead away late on
A fascinating game ends all square in Fort Lauderdale and Charlotte will be devastated to have missed out on all three points. The visitors led twice and twice conceded at the end of the half to allow Miami back into the game. All to play for when the two sides meet in Charlotte on Saturday.
Peeep peeeeeep peeeeeeep
It's full time at DRV PNK Stadium, the scores are level for Inter Miami's final home fixture of the season.
As we head into the final few minutes of added time it is Inter Miami who look the more likely to find a winner. Kristijan Kahlina has proved his value in the second half and has made a number of key saves for Charlotte.
Close! Inter Miami
Nearly a late winner for Miami as Robbie Robinson's right-footed shot is tipped wide by Kahlina. The young winger has looked dangerous since coming on.
Charlotte look quite content with the draw now and are taking their time over throw-ins, looking to run down the clock.
Leo Campana does well to win a free kick for Inter Miami on the edge of the box.
There will be a minimum of six minutes added time at the end of the second half.
That goal has really got the crowd going again and Inter Miami are in the search for all three points now. There's another half chance for Diego Gomez but the Miami midfielder drags his effort.
How crucial could that be for Charlotte FC as they go in search of the playoffs. They have been vulnerable to late goals this season and that curse strikes again at DRV PNK Stadium.
Will either side find a late winner?
GOOOOOAAAAAL! Inter Miami
Leo Campana picks up the ball on the right and whips the ball into the box. Robbie Robinson ghosts in between Charlotte defenders and has an easy tap-in from close range.
That's the equaliser!
Chance! Charlotte
Brilliant play from Meram on the left, who leave Yedlin for dead with some neat footwork. Meram squares the ball for Swiderski but his curled effort is straight at Callender.
Miami survive.
Busquets releases Gomez on the left wing and he looks to find Robinson, sprinting into space in the box. The Miami midfielder's cross is blocked and Charlotte get the ball clear.
There's a bit of frustration for Inter Miami now as they struggle to get anything going. Charlotte are doing well to kill the game, despite the passionate home support.
Can Miami muster something in the final ten minutes?
Tomas Aviles
The young Inter Miami defender is booked for a clumsy challenge.
We're into the final 15 minutes of normal time and Charlotte are closing in on a crucial three points. A victory tonight would almost guarantee their place in the playoffs.
It's been a promising start from Robinson, who wins a free kick for his side with some neat footwork. He will look to combine with Jordi Alba down that left flank.
Another change from the hosts as Robbie Robinson replaces goal-scorer Nicolas Stefanelli.
The game is starting to open up now and Charlotte are looking more dangerous after those substitutions. Copetti does well to win his team a corner.
Brandt Bronco
The Charlotte midfielder cynically pulls back Jordi Alba as Inter Miami look to mount a counter attack.
Close! Charlotte
Swiderski combines well with Copetti on the edge of the box and strikes a fierce volley. Callender has it covered but can onto palm the ball wide for a corner kick.
With their grasp on the game slipping, Charlotte make a double change.
Swiderski and Meram come on to replace Vargas and Dejaeghere.
And just like that, Jordi Alba surges up the left flank and delivers a teasing low cross along the penalty box. Charlotte clear for a corner kick but Alba is furious that there was no Miami forward taking a chance on that.
It looks like those two substitutions will be like-for-like changes, but Inter Miami will be delighted to have Jordi Alba back in the team. There's space on the flanks if Miami can find him.
Double change for Inter Miami as Jordi Alba and Jean Mota come on to replace Gregore and Noah Allen.
Nicolas Stefanelli
Inter Miami have the ball in the back of the net but Stefanelli is ruled to have been offside. The pressure is really building now!
Huge chance! Inter Miami
Noah Allen is played through on goal and has all the time in the world to pick his spot. He aims low but Kahlina spreads himself well and makes the crucial save.
The Miami youngster had to score that!
Nearly an opening for Charlotte as there's a mix-up between Miller and Callender at the back for Miami.
Chance! Inter Miami
That really should have been an equaliser for the hosts as the ball is worked through to Nicolas Stefanelli in the box. The Miami forward looks to curl the ball into the bottom corner but Kahlina gets down brilliantly to make the save!
GOOOOAAAAAL! Kewin Vargas
Charlotte's early pressure tells for the visitors and they restore their one-goal lead.
Jozwiak sprints onto a through ball on the right and sends a low cross into the Miami box. Vargas latches onto the pass at the far post and rifles past Callender.
Lively start to the second half in Miami as Charlotte go in search of a goal. Once again both side are looking to press from the front and it's making for very entertaining viewing.
Gregore
The Inter Miami midfielder is booked after catching Byrne with a flailing arm.
VAR check the decision, but is content with the yellow card.
Chance! Charlotte
More shaky play from the Miami backline as Kamal Miller loses the ball on the edge of his own box. Brecht Dejaeghere latches onto the loose ball but can't beat Callender in the Miami net.
Chance! Charlotte
Less than a minute into the first half there's a golden chance for the visitors!
Dejaeghere does well to play in Vargas on the left but the wideman's right-footed shot is comfortably saved by Callender. He should have done bettter.
And we're back!
Charlotte FC get the second half underway at DRV PNK Stadium.
No changes for either side at the break.
The players are back out at DRV PNK Stadium for the second half.
We've got a fascinating second 45 in store...
ICYMI: Inter Miami equalised on the stroke of half time
Charlotte thought they had done enough to lead at the break but Inter Miami got one back through Nicolas Stefanelli in the seventh minute of injury time. A neatly-taken goal from the Miami forward.
ICYMI: Enzo Copetti gave Charlotte the lead in Miami
The Charlotte FC Designated Player has struggled for goals this season but found the breakthrough at DRV PNK Stadium. He broke the deadlock with a brilliant glancing header.
Stefanelli back with a bang
The Inter Miami winger returns to the team after recovering from injury and has levelled the score for his team.
And that's half time!
It was a fiercely-contested first half that burst into life in the final minutes with a goal for both sides. It's perfectly poised at the break!
GOOOOAAAAL! Inter Miami
Inter Miami have the equaliser in the final seconds of the first half! Brilliant finish from Nicolas Stefanelli at the back post to fire the ball home.
All square!
The corner kick is easily cleared by Charlotte. One last chance for Miami, maybe?
Gregore has really grown into the game in the first half and is starting to get his team moving forward up the pitch. He looks for Allen on the left wing and forces a corner for Miami.
Just one minute remaining of the first half...
Diego Gomez gets a talking to after a full-blooded tackle from the Miami midfielder. It's been a fiercely-fought game in the opening 45 minutes.
Charlotte will be desperate to keep this lead until the break! They probably need one win from either of their last two fixtures and have taken a massive step toward that crucial three points here tonight.
There will be a minimum of six minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
Inter Miami 0-1 Charlotte FC
Charlotte have the lead in a crucial game at DRV PNK Stadium. Their DP striker has given their playoff push a massive boost!
GOOOOOAAAAL! Enzo Copetti
Charlotte take the lead with a deft finish from their DP striker! Vargas whips in a cross from the left and Copetti glances the ball into the far corner.
That's the break-through!
That was really poor from Adilson Malanda to allow Campana to steal in behind him and run in on goal. The Charlotte defender desperately tried to stop Campana getting a clear sight of goal and appeared to pull him back in desperation.
Check complete, no foul; but that could very easily have been a free kick and a red card. Huge moment in this game!
Huge appeals as Leo Campana nips in behind the Charlotte backline and crumples beneath a challenge from Malanda.
That'll be checked by VAR, Campana is furious!
Vargas looks to curl a cross in toward Copetti in the middle, but Miller is there to flick the ball away.
Charlotte has looked energetic in the middle of the pitch but haven't found that cutting edge just yet.
It's been a fairly even start at DRV PNK Stadium. Both teams have committed to the high-pressing style and they're cancelling each other other so far.
Charlotte have probably had the better of the play, but Miami had the best opening with that chance for Gomez. A fascinating game so far.
Good play from Campana to hold the ball up and allow his teammates to push further up the pitch. They work the ball out to Noah Allen on the left. The young full back takes a touch into the box and fires in a left-footed shot, but Kahlina saves comfortably.
Charlotte win a corner ball on the right and captain Westwood swings the ball in. Allen clears for Inter Miami and sets Farias sprinting down the left wing.
The visitors get players back and win the ball back.
Another decent opening for Inter Miami as the work the ball to Leo Campana on the edge of the box, but the striker fires well over the crossbar from distance.
Chance! Inter Miami
Brilliant play from Farias, who runs in behind the Charlotte backline. He looks up and threads the ball into the on-rushing Sergio Gomez in the middle of the box, but the young midfielder's effort goes wide of the post.
A real let-off for the visitors there.
Inter Miami enjoy a nice spell of possession, with some good rotations from their new-look midfield. Charlotte are continuing to press intensely.
It's a waste of a good opportunity as Westwood curls the ball harmlessly over the crossbar.
Sergio Busquets
The Inter Miami midfielder is booked for a dangerous high boot on the edge of the box. Charlotte win a free kick in a very dangerous position, left of centre.
Ashley Westwood to take...
The noise in DRV PNK Stadium has ramped up again with the decision to rescind that penalty. Can Miami get on top now?
NO PENALTY
After consulting the screen the referee has reversed his decision! No penalty, the game will restart with Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender.
The decision is being checked by VAR! It was difficult to see if the ball made contact with chest or arm.
The referee's going over the the pitch-side screen...
Penalty to Charlotte!
Spot kick awarded for a handball by Kamal Miller. The Miami defender was sliding to block a cross and is adjudged to have made contact with his arm.
There's a real battle emerging between Yedlin and Vargas, which the Inter Miami right back has had the best of in the opening stages. Nevertheless, he'll have to be at his best to keep Vargas quiet.
Decent opening for Charlotte as Westwood finds Jozwiak with a raking diagonal pass. His first touch takes him past Allen but Miami get players back to smother the danger.
Brilliant noise in DRV PNK Stadium, where Lionel Messi is in attendance! The 36-year-old returned from last night's exploits with Argentina to watch the team's final home game of the season.
Nearly a catastrophe at the back for Charlotte, who are put under pressure by the Miami frontline. Ashley Westwood does well to bring the ball out of defence and get his team on the offensive.
Both teams looking to play out from the back.
Charlotte, too, are working hard out of possession and are looking to win the ball back high up the pitch. But with Sergio Busquets in the Miami midfield they risk being picked apart by the Spaniard.
It will be interesting to see if Charlotte can isolate Busquets with Jordi Alba or Messi in the team.
Good work from Leo Campana to close down the Charlotte defence and win the ball back for his team. Miami will be delighted to have his presence back up front.
And we're off!
Inter Miami get us underway in their final home fixture of the season.
How do the MLS playoffs work?
Charlotte are still hoping to make it to the post-season and they can edge even closer closer with a win at DRV PNK Stadium tonight. This year's format has been tweaked, with the introduction of two 'Wild Card' spots in each Conference.
Here's what that means for the teams in playoff contention...
There's just ten minutes to go until kick-off at DRV PNK Stadium for the MLS clash between Inter Miami and Charlotte. We will be bringing you full live coverage of the game right here, but you can also watch the game.
Here's everything you need to know to stream Inter Miami vs Charlotte...
Charlotte FC out to make supporters proud
It's do-or-die for Charlotte FC in the final two games of the regular season. They are just one point outside of the playoff places and should make it to the post-season with at least one win over Inter Miami in this double-header.
The pressure's on now. Heavy is the head that wears The Crown.
The players are now out on the pitch for the warm-ups. The Inter Miami crowd will be delighted to see Gregore step foot on the pitch for the first time in seven months.
The 2022 Inter Miami Player of the Year has been a key player for the club but has missed out on the team's transformation this season. The tough-tackling midfielder is straight back into the starting XI after returning from injury and takes the captain's armband.
Preparations underway in Miami
There's around half an hour to go until kick off at the DRV PNK Stadium and both teams are preparing for a fascinating encounter. Inter Miami are without Lionel Messi, but are boosted by the return of a number of players from injury.
Meanwhile Charlotte go into the game looking to take a giant leap into the playoff places. They are a point adrift as it stands, but have played at least one game fewer than the teams around the,.
There's no Lionel Messi for Inter Miami tonight, as the Argentine is still away on international duty. However the 36-year-old has confirmed that he will be involved in the team's final game of the season, the return fixture against Charlotte on Saturday.
Could Messi be the one to extinguish Charlotte's hopes of making the playoffs?
And here's how Charlotte FC line up...
The hosts may be out of playoff contention but there's everything on the line for Charlotte in their last two fixtures. They can still qualify for the playoffs if they win their remaining games, a double-header against Inter Miami.
Inter Miami starting XI to face Charlotte
As expected, Tata Martino has named a strong side for tonight's game. Leo Campana leads the line up front, while Gregore wears the captain's armband on his return from injury after seven months out.
Inter Miami arrive at DRV PNK Stadium
For the final time this season, the Herons arrive in Fort Lauderdale. Jordi Alba returns from injury and is seen walking in alongside long-time friend Sergio Busquets. Also back in contention tonight is Gregore, the Brazilian midfielder who has missed the last seven months due to injury.
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/diarioas/LTBKMTLYK3UUSIKGHD3PPU3X54.jpg)
Inter Miami will close out their MLS campaign with a double-header against Charlotte FC. Their faint hopes of making the playoffs were extinguished with the recent defeat to FC Cincinnati, but Miami will be eager to finish a season of great progress on a positive note.
Miami's options are strengthened by the return of Jordi Alba and Leo Campana from injury...
Hello and welcome to AS USA! We'll be bringing you full live coverage of Inter Miami vs Charlotte in both teams' penultimate game of the regular season.
We'll have team news from the DRV PNK Stadium very shortly...