Miami: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami secured second place in the MLS Eastern Conference despite surrendering a three-goal advantage in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Charlotte FC on the final day of the regular season on Saturday.

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Messi provided assists for Miami's opening two goals, both coming from corner kicks, as the defending champions looked set for a comfortable victory at Nu Stadium. However, a second-half fightback from Charlotte, led by Liel Abada's brace, followed by Rodolfo Aloko's 90th-minute equaliser, denied the hosts all three points.

Ian Fray, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul scored in the first half to put Miami firmly in control. Fray opened the scoring in the 14th minute after a Messi corner caused confusion in the Charlotte defence. The ball fell to Luca de la Torre, whose attempted clearance went awry, allowing Fray to capitalise.

Messi turned provider again in the 33rd minute when his corner found Suarez unmarked near the post. The Uruguayan forward guided his header into the net to double Miami's lead.

De Paul extended the advantage before the interval, finding space outside the box to fire a low long-range effort into the bottom corner.

Charlotte, however, came back strongly after the break. Abada reduced the deficit by finishing Tyger Smalls' cut-back following Ashley Westwood's aerial pass.

Messi had an opportunity to restore Miami's three-goal cushion but sent a header wide from close range. Charlotte made him pay moments later when Abada completed his brace in the 55th minute, finishing first-time after a neat exchange with Pep Biel.

The visitors completed their comeback in the 90th minute. Aloko reacted quickest after Smalls' effort struck the post and turned in the rebound to make it 3-3.

Messi struck the woodwork in stoppage time as Miami pushed for a winner, while Aloko came close to snatching all three points for Charlotte with a powerful effort that hit the outside of the net.

The draw was enough to keep Miami in second place with 60 points. New England Revolution, who could have overtaken them, suffered a 1-0 defeat against Orlando City and finished third with 58 points.

Miami will now face Columbus Crew in the opening round of the playoffs. The result also ensures the defending champions home-field advantage through at least their first two playoff rounds.

Nashville SC finished top of the overall standings with a record 77 points after beating FC Cincinnati 2-0, setting a new MLS points record.

Messi, meanwhile, remains on course for a second consecutive MLS Golden Boot. His 26 goals this season leave him in a commanding position, with FC Dallas forward Petar Musa needing five goals in his side's later fixture to deny the Argentine the award.

Elsewhere, Western Conference champions Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Montreal 2-0 to secure the second overall seed. The result means Vancouver would have home advantage in a potential repeat of last year's MLS Cup final against Inter Miami.

Columbus Crew also secured a place in the main playoff bracket with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Chicago, scoring late to finish seventh and avoid the wild-card round.