Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami live score, updates, highlights as Lionel Messi starts against playoff hopefuls

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.

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.

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, 8. Westwood, 13. Bronico, 18. Vargas — 11. Swiderski, 9. Copetti.

Inter Miami (4-3-3, right to left): 29. Dos Santos (GK) — 2. Yedlin, 6. Aviles, 31. Miller, 32.