Emerson Rodríguez scored in extra time as Inter Miami rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat visiting Charlotte FC 3-2 on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Rodríguez's goal came in the 93rd minute and further spoiled what had been a stellar opening stretch to the game for Charlotte.
EMERSON RODRIGUEZ FOR THE LEAD
A late, late go-ahead goal for #InterMiamiCF! pic.twitter.com/BLPtJ8YrJO— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 17, 2022
Robert Taylor and Gonzalo Higuaín had the earlier goals for Inter Miami in the 59th and 72nd minutes, respectively. Gregore had assists on both tallies.
My goodness Robert Taylor. pic.twitter.com/1LCHxBfnpL
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 17, 2022
GONZALO.
Clinical from Higuain to pull #InterMiamiCF level. pic.twitter.com/PjZFaO4FPB— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 17, 2022
Yordy Reyna of Charlotte wasted no time in making an impact after a long weather-related delay, scoring in the opening minute for the first of his two goals.
Have a night, Yordy Reyna!
Can't curl one any better than this. pic.twitter.com/vBkvljvNSH— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 17, 2022
Charlotte aren't wasting ANY time.
Yordy Reyna in the first minute! #ForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/IcTcNjHNDB— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 17, 2022
Those were his first two goals of the season. Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina of Charlotte made three saves. Inter Miami (7-9-4, 25 points) is 2-3-1 in its last six games. Charlotte (8-11-2, 26 points) was denied a three-game winning streak. The start of the game was delayed for nearly 90 minutes because of weather.
Reyna posted a goal 27 seconds into the game on a shot from near the middle of the box. Karol Świderski's through ball set up the goal, and he was credited with an assist. The sequence happened so fast that Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender didn't have much time to react, as he was without defensive support. Reyna's second goal came in the 42nd minute, taking a shot from the left side and curling the ball into the upper-right corner of the net. He accepted a cross from Quinn McNeill to produce the goal.
Taylor used splendid ball control and an individual move through traffic to score Inter Miami's first goal. Higuaín, who was a substitute, notched his fourth goal of the season and his second in as many games to tie the score. He took Gregore's pass in the box and had a clear shot past Kahlina. Charlotte was issued five yellow cards in the second half, including four in a 12-minute span.
Callender made one save. Kahlina's best save came on Leonardo Campana's attempt from short range in front of the net shortly after the midway mark of the first half. Charlotte topped Inter Miami 1-0 on May 7 at home.
