Major League Soccer,
Round 34
-
Venue
- Nu Stadium
-
Referee
- Rubiel Vazquez
Ian Fray 14′
Luis Suárez 33′
Rodrigo De Paul 42′
Liel Abada 50′
Liel Abada 55′
Rodolfo Aloko 90′
Inter Miami squandered a three-goal half-time lead as Charlotte FC produced a remarkable second-half comeback to earn a 3-3 draw at Nu Stadium.
Goals from Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul appeared to have put the hosts on course for a comfortable win, but Liel Abada struck twice in five minutes before Rodolfo Aloko completed the turnaround in the 90th minute.
Charlotte thought they had made the perfect start when Abada volleyed home after just five minutes, but VAR ruled the goal out following a handball by Idan Toklomati in the build-up.
Miami took advantage of that reprieve in the 14th minute when Lionel Messi’s corner caused confusion inside the penalty area.
Luca de la Torre inadvertently directed the ball towards his own goal, allowing Fray to volley past Kristijan Kahlina from close range.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute through another Messi corner.
German Berterame helped the delivery across goal, where Suarez was waiting to finish from close range.
De Paul then made it 3-0 nine minutes later, collecting Telasco Segovia’s pass before drilling an excellent low effort into the bottom corner from 35 yards.
However, Charlotte emerged transformed after the interval.
Abada reduced the deficit in the 50th minute, converting from close range after Tyger Smalls volleyed Ashley Westwood’s cross back across goal.
The winger struck again just five minutes later following a clever exchange with Pep Biel, who backheeled the ball into his path for a precise finish into the bottom corner.
Miami almost restored their two-goal cushion when Messi chipped Kahlina, but Henry Kessler produced a vital goal-line clearance.
Suarez also wasted a promising opportunity after being picked out by Riquelme, scuffing his effort wide.
Those misses proved costly as Charlotte completed their comeback in the final minute of normal time.
David Schnegg delivered a cross into the penalty area, where Micael’s defensive header fell to Smalls.
The substitute struck the woodwork with a powerful effort, but the rebound dropped perfectly for Aloko to volley past Dayne St. Clair at the near post.
Inter Miami
Charlotte
The Major League Soccer Table
Eastern Conference
- Position 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 : Promotion – MLS (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)
- Position 8, 9 : Promotion – MLS (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)
Upcoming fixtures for Inter Miami and Charlotte
ℹ️ No team fixtures found.
ℹ️ No team fixtures found.
