Inter Miami dropped two points in the final match of the Major League Soccer regular season, surrendering a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Charlotte FC. The result secured the club the second seed in the Eastern Conference and home-field advantage in the opening playoff round.
Despite a commanding first-half performance, Inter Miami was held to a 3-3 draw by Charlotte FC at their Nu Stadium, La Nación reported. The Florida side built a three-goal advantage before the break but conceded three unanswered goals in the second half, including a late equalizer. Inter Miami finished the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference with 59 points, one more than New England Revolution, which lost 1-0 to Orlando City.
Rodrigo De Paul with an absolute golazo! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/xvMfEVwSLT
Inter Miami Clinches Second Seed With Late Draw
The draw was enough to secure the second position, which guarantees Inter Miami home-field advantage throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs. The team will face Columbus Crew, with the first leg at the Nu Stadium, the second in Columbus, and a potential third match back in Miami if needed. Nashville SC clinched the Supporters Shield with 77 points, finishing as the top team in the league.
In a match that swung dramatically, Inter Miami dominated the opening 45 minutes. Rodrigo De Paul scored a “golazo” with a superb right-footed strike from outside the area in the 41st minute, putting the home side 3-0 up at halftime, TyC Sports reported. The lead appeared insurmountable, but Charlotte mounted a strong comeback in the second half.
Luis Suárez goals are inevitable. @InterMiamiCF makes it a 2-0 lead over @CharlotteFC. pic.twitter.com/YpvwR3F8nf
Charlotte Mounts Second-Half Comeback
Charlotte FC began the second half with renewed energy and reduced the deficit to 3-2 with a goal from Liel Abada. The visiting side continued to press and found an equalizer in the 88th minute when Rodolfo Aloko scored to make it 3-3, securing a point on the road. The draw means Charlotte finishes the regular season in ninth place in the conference.
Inter Miami had a chance to win the game in the final minute of stoppage time. Lionel Messi, who played the full 90 minutes, made a surging run from the right flank, cutting inside and unleashing a left-footed shot that struck the far post, Olé reported. The near miss ended a dramatic match that saw Inter Miami blow a significant lead but ultimately secure its desired playoff positioning.
Messi Nears Historic Golden Boot
For Messi, the match was another step toward a historic individual achievement. The Argentine forward leads the MLS in scoring with 26 goals, putting him four ahead of second-place Petar Musa of FC Dallas, who has 22 goals in one fewer game, La 100 reported. If Musa does not score at least four goals in the final match of the season, Messi will become the first player in league history to win the Golden Boot in consecutive seasons.
Messi’s performance in the 2026 season, when he scored 26 goals, put him on track to repeat as the league’s top scorer. Now, with 26 goals this season, he is poised to etch his name into the record books again. His 55 goals over the last two seasons are also the second-highest total in that span, trailing only Josef Martínez’s 58 goals with Atlanta United in 2018 and 2019.
IAN FRAY WITH THE OPENER 👊⚡ pic.twitter.com/EyO5SLXgjF
Playoff Format and What’s Next
The MLS playoffs begin on November 20, with the first round contested as a best-of-three series. The semifinals and conference finals, however, will be played as single matches, with the higher-seeded team hosting, according to league rules. The MLS Cup final is scheduled for December 18.
Inter Miami’s focus will now shift to the playoff matchup against Columbus Crew. The club will be hoping to build on its strong regular-season form, which has seen Messi challenge for both the Golden Boot and the league’s Most Valuable Player award for the third season.
Inter Miami's Playoff Result Explained
- Did Inter Miami win its final game?
- No. Inter Miami drew 3-3 with Charlotte FC after leading 3-0 at halftime.
- What does the result mean for Inter Miami’s playoff position?
- The draw secured Inter Miami the second seed in the Eastern Conference, guaranteeing home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
- How many goals did Lionel Messi score in the final match?
- Messi did not score a goal but had a late effort that hit the post.
- When do the MLS playoffs start?
- The MLS playoffs begin on November 20, 2026.
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