Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami live score, updates, highlights as Lionel Messi hits the crossbar

CHARLOTTE, NC — Lionel Messi wraps up his 2023 season as Inter Miami travel to Charlotte FC for the final game of the regular season.

While the match may be meaningless for Inter Miami, who have already been eliminated from the postseason, the Decision Day meeting is absolutely gargantuan for the hosts, who are still in the thick of the playoff race and need to win to have a chance at extending their campaign.

Charlotte sit level on points with D.C. United in the final playoff spot, only behind on the wins tiebreaker, but with so many teams logjammed in the middle of the standings, a draw would almost certainly not be enough to lift the Queen City side high enough for a postseason berth.

For his part, Messi is set for a long, well-earned offseason break, and is thought likely to play a role here to put a bow on a memorable campaign that fell just short with a late playoff comeback.

These two teams met Wednesday in Florida, playing to a 2-2 draw as Robbie Robinson scored an 84th-minute equalizer for Inter Miami, and just three days later they will meet again with similar yet seemingly heightened stakes.

MORE: When do Lionel Messi, Inter Miami begin 2024 season?

The Sporting News is live on site in Charlotte, NC for the Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami match, providing real-time score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami live score

Kickoff: 6:09 p.m. ET / 3:09 p.m. PT
Location: DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Referee: Guido Gonzales

Starting lineups:

Charlotte FC (4-4-2, right to left): 1. Kahlina (GK) — 14. Byrne, 29. Malanda, 34. Privett, 3. Uronen —  7. Jozwiak (Meram, 67′), 8. Westwood, 13. Bronico, 18. Vargas (Dejaegere, 67′) — 11. Swiderski (Arfield, 75′), 9. Copetti (D. Jones, 89′).

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): 29. Dos Santos (GK) — 2. Yedlin, 6. Aviles, 31. Miller, 32. Allen (Alba, 67′) — 26. Gregore (Arroyo, 67′), 5. Busquets, 30. Cremaschi (R. Robinson, 67′) — 10. Messi, 9. Campana, 8. D. Gomez.

MORE: A closer look at Inter Miami’s offseason friendlies, including Newell’s Old Boys & tour of China

Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami live updates, highlights, commentary

Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami: Second Half

89th min: Christian Lattanzio has decided to shut it down, bringing on a center-back in Derrick Jones to replace his striker Enzo Copetti. Dejaegere is the only man up forward for Charlotte FC as they look to hold this lead and reach the MLS playoffs.

86th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Leonardo Campana was in space at the top of the penalty area, and all he had to do was corral the square ball from Jordi Alba who’s free down the left, but it slips under his feet as he tries to turn and shoot! A huge missed opportunity for Inter Miami to level this  match late!

82nd min: This match has devolved into a back-and-forth tradeoff of failed through-balls. Lots of attacking impetus, but very little final product. Brecht Cejaegere has a weak shot blocked by Kamal Miller.

74th min: There’s a stoppage as Karol Swiderski receives treatment in midfield. Meanwhile, Inter Miami make a double change with Dixon Arroyo entering for Gregore, and Robbie Robinson coming on for Benja Cremaschi. Swiderski is withdrawn after coming off the field, with Scott Arfield entering as Christian Lattanzio goes midfielder for striker.

The attendance is announced, with 66,101 people in Bank of America Stadium. It’s a really good crowd! They will all be pleased with the news that the Chicago Fire are now trailing NYCFC, which is another small step towards Charlotte securing a playoff spot. They still have to hang onto this lead, though!

Our fuel 👏 pic.twitter.com/Gia0jI4zTN

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) October 21, 2023

72nd min: Chance, Charlotte FC! WHAT A SAVE BY CJ DOS SANTOS! The Inter Miami goalkeeper comes out to challenge a one-on-one with Brandt Bronico, and he smothers the shot well! Bronico had only the keeper to beat, but comes up short with his attempt to put the hosts 2-0 up.

67th min: After Brandt Bronico blasts a shot over the Inter Miami crossbar, Charlotte FC head coach Christian Lattanzio makes a double change, swapping out both wingers, bringing on Brecht Dejaegere and Justin Meram in place of Kamil Jozwiak and Kerwin Vargas.

Inter Miami counter by bringing on Jordi Alba for Noah Allen.

64th min: A nervous energy wafts over the crowd as Lionel Messi is fouled about 28 yards from goal, well within his range. After a long wait while the referee sorts out the wall, Messi blasts his shot straight into the line of Charlotte players.

I don’t know what Tata told them at halftime because Miami looks infinitely more threatening now than they did in the first 45.#InterMiamiCF

— Alex Windley (@aaw_1998) October 21, 2023

62nd min: Chance, Inter Miami! Inter Miami have a very dangerous free-kick just inches outside the penalty area on the right edge. Lionel Messi stands over this, but there’s really no room to shoot, as it comes at an incredibly tight angle.

So what does Messi do? HE SHOOTS, AND HITS THE CROSSBAR! It hits the underside of the frame and pings out! So unlucky!

PHEW. pic.twitter.com/s6PRzWWHXM

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) October 21, 2023

57th min: Charlotte FC have had a lot of defending to do in their own penalty area, but Inter Miami just cannot work a shot. Lionel Messi has been blanketed for much of the game, forcing other visiting players to do the bulk of the work.

😂😂😂#Messi #InterMiamiCF #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/FvYV8b7J30

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 21, 2023

49th min: Chance, Inter Miami! Lionel Messi has the ball in the back of the net, but it’s ruled out for offside! It’s a glorious chip from the Argentine, who had been fed in wonderfully by a textbook vertical feed from Sergio Busquets, but he’s well off on replay. The finish was delicious though, as he chipped Kristijan Kahlina.

More good news for Charlotte, as Columbus goes in front of CF Montreal 2-1, making the pathway to the playoffs that much more open. As of now, all they have to do is hold onto this lead!

48th min: Chance, Charlotte FC! Inter Miami are sloppy at the back, and it nearly sees Enzo Copetti in for a shot, but Brandt Bronico’s short cutback to him along the byline is just picked out at the last moment by Noah Allen! Bronico had gotten by a Kamal Miller slide very well.

Kickoff: They’re back under way for the final 45 minutes of Lionel Messi’s 2023 MLS season, while Charlotte are in good position to extend theirs…although a lot can happen in 45 minutes! No changes for either side just yet.

45 minutes down in the East.

If scores hold, Charlotte and Montreal are IN the Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/FjkItSlFdu

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023

HALFTIME: Charlotte FC 1-0 Inter Miami

A very sloppy, physical match has Charlotte FC in front at the break. It’s been really messy from both sides in midfield, especially Inter Miami who have struggled to create anything in the attacking third. Lionel Messi had just 28 touches in that first half, as the visitors really struggled to get him on the ball in open spaces with which to work.

The hosts have been extremely poor at holding leads this season, dropping a whopping 25 points from winning positions this season, but if they can maintain this lead, they have a great shot at the postseason.

All other teams they need to drop points are all level, as the Chicago Fire and NYCFC are both scoreless at the break, while CF Montreal are level 1-1 with the Columbus Crew. Charlotte need two of those three teams to drop points if they are to reach the playoffs, regardless of their own result.

First we celly, then we dance 🪩 pic.twitter.com/ARDyxqHsWC

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) October 21, 2023

Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami: First Half

45+2 min: Leonardo Campana finds Inter Miami’s first shot on target of the match, delivering a curler from deep that is far too central and can only find the safe arms of Kristijan Kahlina, who barely has to move to make the elementary save. It’s been a very poor half from Inter Miami in the attacking half.

40th min: Inter Miami have their biggest opening in front of goal yet, but Gregore completely flubs his attempt to put a shot on frame, barely making contact with his wild swing from about 15 yards out. The Brazilian won’t want to watch that one back.

38th min: Chance, Charlotte FC! Kerwin Vargas sends in a delicious cross from deep on the left flank seeking both Charlotte FC strikers, but the ball just grazes over the head of Enzo Copetti and falls into the goalkeeper’s grasp before Karol Swiderski can reach it. Not far!

36th min: Lionel Messi finally gets on the ball in space and drives towards the penalty area, feeding a vertical ball through for a streaking Benja Cremaschi, but it’s just out of his reach and slides harmlessly through the defenders to Kristijan Kahlina.

30th min: There’s a long lull in the match as both sides spend long stretches on the ball with very little motivation to go forward, while the defensive side also shows a serious lack of interest in winning the ball back. When they do get forward, both sides resort to sending in speculative crosses.

Lionel Messi has just 17 touches for Inter Miami so far, he’s barely been involved.

Idk who brought the Big 10 vibes to Bank of America Stadium but this Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami match has been putrid so far.

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 21, 2023

24th min: Adilson Malanda picks up a booking for a late tackle on Diego Gomez in midfield. Referee Guido Gonzales, who has the most yellow cards shown per match this year in MLS, is living up to his reputation.

22nd min: The Bank of America Stadium crowd collectively “oooh’s” and “ahhhh’s” as Jere Uronen steps around Lionel Messi in possession. Messi really didn’t try all that hard to dispossess the Charlotte FC defender, but the home fans enjoyed it anyways.

18th min: Chance, Charlotte FC! Charlotte FC have a free-kick and Inter Miami see Gregore booked for a foul about 30 yards from goal. Karol Swiderski and Enzo Copetti both stand over the ball, and it’s the latter to take, firing a blistering delivery that just fizzes wide of the top-left corner. A well-struck effort!

Great news for Charlotte, as the Columbus Crew have brought their match with CF Montreal back level! As it stands, Charlotte are IN the playoffs, but there’s a lot of soccer left.

13th min: GOAL! CHARLOTTE FC! The hosts lead on a messy finish from Kerwin Vargas! It’s bounced around in the Inter Miami penalty area before Enzo Copetti squares it to Vargas in a tiny bit of space. The winger takes a very good first touch around DeAndre Yedlin and fires a left-footed shot past CJ Dos Santos that tucks inside the far corner.

It is far from the first time DeAndre Yedlin has been exposed this season, and it gives Charlotte FC a massive lifeline in the MLS playoff race. Now, can they hold on? Their biggest weakness this season has been maintaining leads.

Kerwin Vargas scores and backflips!

A dream start for @CharlotteFC against Inter Miami. pic.twitter.com/eNcyLlxtLq

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023

10th min: Inter Miami control a long spell of possession in the Charlotte FC attacking half, but they do very little with it as there’s no room for Sergio Busquets or Lionel Messi to make anything of it. The crowd boos. Eventually, there’s a Charlotte break as the visitors lose possession cheaply near midfield, but CJ Dos Santos comes way out of his penalty area to clear.

Bad news comes through for the hosts as CF Montreal take a very early lead on the Columbus Crew. Montreal are one of three teams that Charlotte need to drop points today if they are to have a shot at the playoffs.

4th min: A very early yellow card is shown to Ashley Westwood, who tussles with Gregore for no less than 40 yards up the middle before finally the whistle blows. Westwood was doing all he could to keep Inter Miami from countering after a giveaway, and the referee was doing all he could to play advantage.

The result is a comical challenge that lasts forever and sees Westwood nearly have to rugby tackle the Inter Miami midfielder to stop his run.

2nd min: Chance, Inter Miami! Leo Campana has the ball in the back of the net, but the flag is up for offside! The replay shows it’s VERY close, with the flag up on Benja Cremaschi on the initial delivery, but after a quick VAR check, play continues. It’s an early warning shot for the hosts!

Kickoff: The final 90 minutes of the regular season are under way! Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will be done at the end of this match regardless, but Charlotte FC will hope they can extend their campaign by at least another few days.

The hosts must win to have a shot at the playoffs, and they need a good amount of outside help as well.

Spooky szn.@CharlotteFC fans coming out strong with the TIFO. pic.twitter.com/oiUw11UqYZ

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023

Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami: Pre-match commentary, analysis, stats, and more

15 mins to kickoff: Lionel Messi will make his final regular season appearance for Inter Miami, to be followed by four months away from competitive club action as Inter Miami are eliminated from playoff contention. Yet it’s not a full offseason for Messi.

He will have to stay fit for international duty with Argentina in November, including a huge game against rivals Brazil. To do so, Inter Miami have arranged an early-November mini-tour of China that includes matches against two top flight Chinese clubs.

In February, he’ll play a friendly against his boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys to help gear up for the 2024 season. It’ll be a longer offseason than he’s used to, but not totally devoid of football.

#Messi𓃵 warming up in Charlotte. Kickoff in a half-hour.#InterMiamiCF #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/v5HYvWeGBZ

— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 21, 2023

30 mins to kickoff: Today is a huge chance for backup goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos, a 23-year-old former Philadelphia Union academy player who joined Inter Miami last offseason from Benfica’s reserve squad.

Depending on how well he takes his chance, earning his first minutes of the season, it could also be a big call in the MLS playoff race. It will give Charlotte FC attackers a reason to test the Inter Miami net early and often.

CJ Dos Santos with a massive save to help #InterMiamiCFII pick up two points on the road👏💗🖤 pic.twitter.com/ANIC74mVV5

— Inter Miami CF II (@Intermiamicfii) August 1, 2022

45 mins to kickoff: Lineups are finally in, and Messi starts for Inter Miami, but Jordi Alba is on the bench despite coming on as a substitute in Wednesday’s match. Gerardo Martino has decided to give CJ Dos Santos a look in goal in a meaningless season finale, starting him over Drake Callender.

Charlotte FC goes with a 4-4-2 with Karol Swiderski and Enzo Copetti up top, meaning Ben Bronico and Ashley Westwood will have a lot of work to do to keep control of the midfield, outnumbered by Gerardo Martino’s 4-4-3.

📍Checking in from CLT#CLTvMIA | 6PM ET | #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV pic.twitter.com/q9gmXupzhF

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 21, 2023

1 hour to kickoff: While we wait for today’s lineup announcement, a look at today’s official Guido Gonzales, who isn’t afraid to go to his pocket. He’s issued the second-most yellow cards of any MLS referee this season with 107 bookings, just behind Lukasz Szpala (who has officiated the most matches of any other MLS official), and he has issued the most yellow cards per game of any MLS referee at 5.1 bookings.

He officiated Charlotte FC’s 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union a month ago, but somehow this will be the first time he’s refereed an Inter Miami game this season.

However, Gonzales was the fourth official for the U.S. Open Cup final, which means he has been working a game with Lionel Messi and will be familiar with how to officiate with the Argentine on the field. And if you think that’s not a thing, trust me, it’s a thing.

Congratulations to the U.S. Open Cup Finals Referee Crew! Job well done!

Referee: Jon Freemon
AR1: Cam Blanchard
AR2: Logan Brown
4th Official Guido Gonzales Jr.
Reserve AR: Ryan Graves
VAR: Younes Marrakchi (not pictured)
AVAR: TJ Zablocki (not pictured) pic.twitter.com/SvhgtUgwm8

— Official Sports International (@OSI_Page2) September 28, 2023

1 hour 15 mins to kick: A huge crowd gathered outside the Inter Miami team hotel earlier, waiting to see a glimpse of Lionel Messi and his squad depart for Bank of America Stadium. The attention he draws is next level!

Check out the crowd to see Messi leave the team hotel in Charlotte. 📷 @JakeElijah30 pic.twitter.com/lA7LSNIC6y

— Ryan Elijah (@ryanelijah) October 21, 2023

1 hour 30 mins to kick: The weather in Charlotte, North Carolina is sensational for today’s match. It’s currently 70 degrees without a cloud in the sky, and will probably be around 68 degrees at kickoff. You couldn’t ask for a better setting to close out Inter Miami’s season and see Charlotte put its best foot forward in the playoff race.

Absolutely gorgeous day for footy in the Queen City 👑 pic.twitter.com/aLtv3fTWE6

— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) October 21, 2023

1 hour 45 mins to kick: Charlotte FC’s task today is clear — the hosts MUST WIN if they are to make the playoffs. The best Charlotte can do with a draw here is 10th, which isn’t quite good enough for a postseason berth.

Charlotte FC also require significant outside help. Should they beat Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, they also need two of the following three teams to drop points of any kind: NY Red Bulls (at Nashville SC), Chicago Fire (at NYCFC), and CF Montreal (at Columbus Crew).

If they get two of those teams to drop points, they finish ninth and would play away in the wild card round. If all three of those teams drop points, Charlotte would finish eighth and host the wild card match. They cannot finish seventh or higher to earn a bye, so they’ll have to do it the hard way.

Tonight’s clinching scenarios for the Eastern Conference. 🔢 pic.twitter.com/QFUOP3r42U

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023

2 hours to kickoff: Lionel Messi and his old Barcelona buddies are all in the Inter Miami squad and are available for selection today.

If this were any ol’ regular season matchup, it would be more likely that Messi would come off the bench given his recent involvement with the Argentina national team just days ago, hoping to manage his minutes. However, since this is their final match of the year, it is far more likely that he is deployed from the start for a 90-minute show to cap the campaign.

Catching a flight to Charlotte 👋✈️ pic.twitter.com/S67pPLNvQU

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 20, 2023

Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami lineups & team news

The toughest decision for Charlotte FC head coach Christian Lattanzio was to sort out how to get both Enzo Copetti and Karol Swiderski involved up front. Copetti started and scored in Wednesday’s draw, but it was hard to keep Swiderski on the bench for long given his recent form, and he starts too in a 4-4-2.

Swiderski’s inclusion comes at the expense of Belgian No. 10 Brecht Dejaegere.

Midfielder Ben Bender is out with a knee injury, while young Brazilian striker Vinicius Mello remains sidelined with a leg problem. Derrick Jones is back from a yellow card suspension in Wednesday’s game, and is available for selection here.

Charlotte FC starting lineup (4-4-2): Kahlina (GK) — Lindsey, Malanda, Privett, Byrne — Jozwiak, Westwood, Bronico, Vargas — Copetti, Swiderski.

Charlotte FC subs (9): Marks (GK), Agyemang, Arfield, Dejaegere, Gaines, Jones, Lindsey, Meram, Tuiloma.

All three of Inter Miami’s star players are fit and available for this match, including Lionel Messi. His former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are also ready to go, with Alba having returned from his hamstring injury with a substitute appearance in Wednesday’s draw. Messi and Busquets start, but Alba can only muster a place on the bench.

Central defender Serhiy Kryvtsov is absent with a hamstring injury, meaning Kamal Miller will partner with young Tomas Aviles as they did on Wednesday. Drake Callender is the regular starting goalkeeper, but in a meaningless season finale, Gerardo Martino has decided to give CJ Dos Santos a chance to impress.

Ian Fray, Franco Negri, and Corentin Jean remain in long-term recovery from ACL tears, but Gregore returned to a starting role on Wednesday after missing much of the year with a broken foot, and is back in the XI today. Oddly, Josef Martinez does not appear in the Inter Miami squad at all, not even on the bench.

Inter Miami starting lineup (4-3-3): Dos Santos (GK) — Yedlin, Aviles, Miller, Allen — Gregore, Busquets, Cremaschi — Messi, Campana, D. Gomez.

Inter Miami subs (9): Callender (GK), Sailor, Alba, McVey, Mota, Arroyo, R. Robinson, Farias, Stefanelli.

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