Forward Rodolfo Aloko volleyed a rebound into the net in the 90th minute Saturday, and Charlotte FC drew Inter Miami CF 3-3. Charlotte had been down 3-0 at halftime.
Forward Tyger Smalls, a halftime substitute, had hit the post from the middle of the penalty area. It was Aloko's fourth goal of the season and his second in two matches, the club said.
The point was not enough to pass the Chicago Fire. Charlotte finished fifth in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference at 15-10-9 with 54 points, behind fourth-place Chicago, according to the league's final standings. A win would have moved Charlotte to fourth.
"If we would have won the game today, we would have been in that top four, but proud of the boys as well," Charlotte coach Dean Smith said.
The two teams meet in a best-of-three first-round playoff series that opens at Soldier Field in Chicago, the club said. Chicago, as the higher seed, would host a third game if one is needed. The club said dates and times would be announced Sunday.
Miami scored three times in the first half at Nu Stadium. Ian Fray scored from close range in the 14th minute after a corner bounced off Charlotte midfielder Luca de la Torre, according to the club. Luis Suárez scored from another corner in the 33rd minute, and Rodrigo De Paul beat goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina from outside the penalty area in the 42nd.
"I'm disappointed with the defending," Smith said.
Charlotte had a goal taken away early in the match, when officials ruled the ball touched forward Idan Toklomati's hand before his pass to Liel Abada, the club said. "I don't understand handball rules anymore," Smith said.
Toklomati came off at halftime. Smith said he had stomach problems Friday and did not feel well enough to continue. Smalls replaced him, and Abada, a forward, scored twice in five minutes. In the 50th, he finished a cross from Smalls after midfielder Ashley Westwood switched play to the back post. In the 55th, he exchanged passes with midfielder Pep Biel and shot first time inside the left post.
Abada has 10 goals this season, joining Biel and Toklomati as Charlotte's three players with 10 or more, the club said. Biel's assist was his 18th, and he leads MLS in assists, the club said.