Miami entered the match holding a one-point edge over the New England Revolution for second place in the Eastern Conference. A win would have locked up the second seed outright. Lionel Messi also had personal stakes, leading the Golden Boot race and sitting one assist behind FC Cincinnati's Evander for the league lead.

Charlotte nearly opened the scoring in the third minute, but a potential handball in the buildup triggered a video review. The referee consulted the pitchside monitor and disallowed the goal, keeping the match scoreless.

The visitors kept pressing, forcing Miami to absorb early pressure. The Herons eventually settled in, and in the 14th minute Messi delivered a corner that a defensive miscue redirected to Ian Fray, who tapped in from close range for a 1-0 lead.

Messi nearly doubled the advantage on a fast break, but Charlotte's goalkeeper pushed his shot out for a corner. Miami didn't wait long to convert another set piece: in the 33rd minute, Messi's corner was flicked on by Germán Berterame to Luis Suárez, who finished from close range to make it 2-0.

Dayne St. Clair preserved the two-goal cushion with a save on Charlotte's first shot on target since the disallowed goal. Just before halftime, Rodrigo De Paul struck a long-range shot into the bottom-left corner, with Telasco Segovia assisting, to send Miami into the break up 3-0.

The second half was a different story. Charlotte pulled one back five minutes after the restart, then struck again five minutes later to cut the deficit to 3-2, suddenly turning a comfortable Miami lead into a tense finish.

Miami had a chance to restore breathing room in the 70th minute, but Charlotte's goalkeeper made a sensational save to deny a fourth goal. The Herons continued to create chances but could not find an insurance goal.

In the 90th minute, Charlotte completed the comeback. A shot struck the post and fell to an attacker who tapped it in, leveling the match at 3-3. Messi nearly salvaged all three points moments later, but his left-footed breakaway shot hit the left post after beating the goalkeeper.

The final whistle confirmed the draw, capping a disastrous second half for Miami. The collapse was a familiar problem for the Herons, who struggled to close out matches throughout the season, and it served as a reminder of defensive and game-management issues heading into the postseason.

Despite dropping two points, Miami held on to second place in the Eastern Conference after Orlando City defeated New England. The Herons now turn to the MLS Cup playoffs, where they will face Columbus Crew in the first round.