Lionel Messi missed a penalty as Inter Miami fell 3–0 to Charlotte FC on Saturday night, as the North Carolina side picked up their ninth straight win in MLS regular-season action.
Idan Toklomati scored a hat-trick for The Crown with goals in the 34th, 47th and 85th minutes, helping head coach Dean Smith’s side clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs, while also tying the 2018 Seattle Sounders for the longest win streak in MLS history outside of the modern era.
Inter Miami were short-staffed on the night, only dressing 15 outfield players and two goalkeepers due to a mix of injuries and a three-match suspension to striker Luis Suárez for his conduct following the Leagues Cup final loss to Seattle.
Late on, things became even more dire personnel-wise, as young center back Tomás Avilés picked up a second yellow and earned a red card in the 79th minute.
Here are s takeaways from Miami’s 3–0 defeat against Charlotte FC.
