MIAMI, Nov 8 — Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami clung on for second place in the Eastern Conference with a wasteful 3-3 draw against Charlotte on the final day of the MLS regular season Saturday.
The Argentine superstar set up the first two goals at Miami’s Nu Stadium, both from corners, to procure the reigning champions home-field advantage in at least their opening two rounds of the playoffs.
Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul racked up three first-half strikes for Inter Miami before Liel Abada’s brace soon after the break sparked a comeback sealed by Rodolfo Aloko’s late strike in a game characterised by awful defending at both ends.
A single point proved enough. Miami finished the regular season second on 60, as third-place New England Revolution failed to take advantage with a surprise 1-0 loss at Orlando, finishing on 58.
