Lionel Messi equalized in the second half and Inter Miami earned a 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday night.
Miami (19-4-8, 65 points) tied for the third straight time after a five-game winning streak from July 17 to September 17. 14.
Charlotte (11-11-9, 42 points) was denied two straight wins, which would have marked the club’s first winning streak since mid-June. However, Charlotte FC is undefeated in its last two matches after a three-match skid.
Messi tied Saturday’s game in the 67th minute when he fired a laser shot from beyond the box that eluded diving Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina to make it 1-1.
It was Messi’s 15th goal of the season, and he now trails Luis Suarez by two goals for the team lead. It was also Messi’s third goal in four matches since returning from a two-month absence following an ankle injury.
Miami then appeared to win a penalty in the 75th minute as it looked to take the lead, but the call – and a subsequent second yellow card to Charlotte FC’s Adilson Malanda – was overturned upon further review.
Moments later, Charlotte appeared to lead 2-1, but Liel Abada found himself offside in the build-up.
Messi’s goal canceled out a Charlotte score in the 57th minute. A Brandt Bronico pass into the box was redirected into the net by Karol Swiderski for his third goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Kahlina made seven saves, including several critical ones in the second half to keep Charlotte in the game.
Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender faced just two Charlotte FC shots, saving one as both teams finished the night with a point despite strong chances in stoppage time. second half.
Nathan Byrne had Charlotte’s other assist. Marcelo Weigandt and Sergio Busquets were credited with assists on Messi’s goal.
–Field level media
 Match Analysis){kind=link}