Inter Miami draws with Charlotte after leading 3-0 and secures 2nd place in MLS East

Inter Miami secured second place in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Eastern Conference after a 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC on Saturday, November 7, 2026, in the final round of the regular season. Playing at home, the team led by Lionel Messi took a 3-0 lead in the first half, but suffered a comeback from the opponent in the second half in a match marked by defensive errors on both sides. The hosts' advantage began to build at the 14th minute of the first half, when Ian Fray opened the scoring after a scramble in the box caused by a Messi corner kick. At the 33rd minute, Luis Suárez headed in a cross from Messi following another corner kick. Before halftime, Rodrigo De Paul took advantage of the visitors' passive defense and hit a long-range shot to make it three. In the second half, Charlotte reacted quickly. Liel Abada scored at the 5th minute and again at the 10th. The final equalizer came at the 45th minute of the second half, when Rodolfo Aloko capitalized on a rebound off the post to seal the 3-3 draw. In stoppage time, Messi hit the post and nearly secured the win, while Aloko came close to completing the comeback for the visitors. Despite the draw, the point earned was enough for Inter Miami to finish the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference, totaling 60 points. The third-placed team, New England Revolution, was defeated 1-0 by Orlando City and finished the campaign with 58 points. With the result, Inter Miami secured home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs and will face the Columbus Crew in the opening of the knockout stage. Nashville SC finished as the sole leader of the conference, with 77 points.