Inter Miami Draws With Charlotte FC In Final Home Game Of The Season

DRV PNK Stadium- Inter Miami played to a 2-2 draw Wednesday night against Charlotte FC in their final home match of the season. Enzo Copetti and Kerwin Vargas scored for Charlotte with Nico Stefanelli and Robbie Robinson doing the honors for Miami. The two teams will meet again on Saturday night in North Carolina with Charlotte still in contention for a playoff spot.

Kick Off

The return of Gregore to the Starting XI was the night’s biggest story. Gregore returned to the pitch seven months after suffering a lisfranc injury against NYCFC on March 11.

Gregore back in the Starting XI for #InterMiamiCF …Stefanelli, Gomez, & Aviles get a chance to ruin Charlotte’s season…No #Messi𓃵 …#MLS pic.twitter.com/U0QYaY1lqG

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 18, 2023

Inter Miami was the better team for much of the first half, but it was Charlotte that got on the board first with an Enzo Copetti header off a Kerwin Vargas cross in the 45th minute.

Charlotte gets on the scoreboard with an Enzo Copetti header past Drake Callender…Yedlin gets put on skates by Vargas who sent the pass into the box…#MLS #InterMiamiCF  …Charlotte leads 1-0… https://t.co/OiFRHmhHsO

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 19, 2023

Fortunately for Miami Nico Stefanelli would get one back in stoppage time, pushing a Tomas Aviles cross past the Charlotte keeper.

The Herons get a goal back just before halftime…Toto Avilés bends a ball into the box that Nico Stefanelli puts into the back of the net…1-1…#InterMiamiCF  #MLS https://t.co/V04WjVAHix

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 19, 2023

A rather slow first half ended with fireworks, and the teams tied 1-1.

Playing For Pride

Despite being eliminated from the MLS playoffs Inter Miami’s squad was playing with pride, looking to knock off Charlotte but it would be Kerwin Vargas who would bash the Miami net in the 52nd minute to once again give the team from Carolina the lead, 2-1.

Vargas blasts a shot past Callender for the 2-1 Charlotte lead…The goal comes after a defensive mistake by #InterMiamiCF  on the left flank…Charlotte makes Miami pay with the lethal counterattack…#MLS https://t.co/jcqYv0GnCA

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 19, 2023

Miami would not give in and Robbie Robinson knocked in his first goal of the season finishing a lovely cross-in by Leonardo Campana. The Herons were not about to lose their last home game of the season.

Robbie Robinson ties the game for #InterMiamiCF  scoring off a nice Leo Campana 🔔 cross into the box…2-2 & Miami is looking to play the spoilers versus Charlotte…#MLS https://t.co/EXejPsRRi6

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 19, 2023

Robinson’s first goal of the season would be Miami’s last at home and provided the final 2-2 scoreline. The Herons tripped up Charlotte’s playoff hopes and can knock them out with a tie or win in Charlotte on Saturday.

Postgame

I asked Gregore if there was added motivation to play Charlotte FC on Saturday knowing that Miami could knock them out of the playoffs,

Motivation for Inter Miami is to play for Inter Miami…Motivation is wearing this jersey and to fight in every game.

I asked Gregore if the possibility of knocking Charlotte out of the playoffs provided extra motivation…

“Motivation for Inter Miami is to play for Inter Miami…Motivation is wearing this jersey & to fight in every game”…#InterMiamiCF #MLS pic.twitter.com/mLq2LufuDb

— Xavier Guerrero (@XGLAVOZ) October 20, 2023

Gregore is the heart and soul of Inter Miami, his absence because of injury left a huge void that Miami could never recover from. His leadership and grit along with his quality will without a doubt make Miami stronger next season. His answer to my question shows why he is highly regarded as a leader by his teammates and coaches.

Final Thoughts

I must say that Gregore played at a high level against Charlotte making it hard to believe it was his first game in months. The player fans know and love was back running all over the pitch kicking and clawing, doing everything he could to get his team a win. Miami could not get the victory, but what they did get was their fiery leader back.

Tata Martino has a plan for next season, and I think that plan means many of the players on the current roster will not be back next season. It’s going to be an interesting offseason in Miami with the rumors already starting to heat up.

Luis Suarez has been mentioned all season long as a possibility for the Herons. If he is to come to Miami, someone else must go. I’m looking forward to seeing what Chris Henderson will be cooking for next season, one where Miami will be rid of sanctions.