Inter Miami threw away a three goal lead as Charlotte FC fought back to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw in their final regular season MLS match at Nu Stadium on Sunday.
Rodolfo Aloko scored in the 90th minute to complete Charlotte’s comeback after Liel Abada had struck twice in the second half.
Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul had given Lionel Messi’s side a comfortable 3-0 lead before the break. However, Miami failed to protect their advantage as Charlotte produced a remarkable second half.
The visitors thought they had made the perfect start when Abada found the net in the fourth minute. But VAR ruled out the goal, giving Miami an early escape. The hosts took advantage of that decision and went ahead in the 14th minute through Fray.
Suarez doubled the lead in the 33rd minute before De Paul added a third nine minutes later. Miami entered the break with a commanding advantage after scoring three times from four shots on target.
Charlotte, however, returned with renewed energy after the interval. Abada pulled one back in the 50th minute with a close range finish. Just five minutes later, he struck again from outside the penalty area after receiving a pass from Pep Biel. His effort found the bottom corner and reduced the deficit to 3-2.
Miami tried to regain control by making changes in midfield. Yannick Bright replaced David Ayala before Riquelme Fillipi and Matias Galarza came on for German Berterame and De Paul.
The hosts also created chances to restore their two goal advantage. Casemiro headed wide from a Messi corner, but Charlotte continued to push forward.
Charlotte made three changes in the 69th minute, bringing on Aloko, David Schnegg and Abdoulaye Doucoure as they searched for an equaliser.
The visitors kept the pressure on Miami, who struggled to regain the control they had enjoyed in the first half. Their persistence finally paid off in the 90th minute when Aloko struck from the centre of the penalty area to make it 3-3.
The late goal stunned the home crowd and completed a remarkable comeback for Charlotte, who had looked out of the contest at half time. Despite five minutes of added time, neither side could find a winner.
The result left Miami frustrated after they had appeared to be heading towards a comfortable victory, while Charlotte earned a valuable point through their second half fightback.
