Messi was largely contained by Charlotte and Miami looked rudderless without suspended striker Suarez on the pitch

Lionel Messi missed a penalty and the wheels quickly came off for Inter Miami as they slumped to a second straight 3-0 defeat, falling Saturday night to surging Charlotte FC.

Miami started well, pushing higher up the pitch than usual and creating early chances. Jordi Alba forced Kristijan Kahlina into a point-blank save in the sixth minute, and the Herons continued to press until earning their first MLS penalty of the season in the 31st minute.

With regular taker Luis Suárez suspended for his role in a Leagues Cup brawl against Seattle, Messi stepped up. The 38-year-old tried a Panenka, but Kahlina read it all the way. Seconds later, Charlotte punished the miss when Idan Toklomati capped off a blistering counterattack to put the hosts ahead.

Toklomati wasn’t finished. Early in the second half, Wilfried Zaha sliced through Miami’s defense on the flank and set up the Israeli striker for his second. In the 84th minute, Zaha drew a penalty from Sergio Busquets and, in a show of generosity, handed the ball to Toklomati to complete his first MLS hat-trick.

The result put Charlotte into the record books with a ninth consecutive league win, matching the MLS mark. Miami, meanwhile, are now winless in three of their last four.

GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Bank of America Stadium.

Goalkeeper & Defense

Oscar Ustari (5/10):

Not much he could do on either goal, and wasn't challenged to make saves otherwise. 

Ian Fray (4/10):

Made one strong run in the second half, but was largely ineffective, especially when lined up against Zaha. Subbed off for Marcelo Weigandt in the 70th minute. 

Tomas Aviles (3/10):

The first goal was out of Miami's control as it came in a counterattack, but the second was inexcusable as Toklomati split past both centerbacks with ease. Was sent off in the 79th minute after picking up a second yellow as he tried to grab Charlotte's striker. 

Maxi Falcon (4/10):

Same as Aviles and not as effective as usual. Didn't respond when needed. 

Jordi Alba (6/10):

One of Miami's few bright spots, connected on four key passes and almost scored in the opening 10 minutes. 

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Rodrigo De Paul (5/10):

De Paul was one of the world's best box-to-box midfielders before arriving at Miami, and for whatever reason, he continues to be used wide by coach Javier Mascherano. He was largely accurate on his passing, but was invisible when it came to performing the way a wide player should – creating off-dribble and penetration. 

Yannick Bright (4/10):

Didn't help Miami stop the counterattack on the first goal and didn't have his usual impact in the center of midfield. Pulled for Noah Allen after 55 minutes. 

Sergio Busquets (3/10):

Connected on 87 percent of his passes, but none of those served as a spark on attack. Eliminated any chance of a rally for Miami by fouling Zaha in the box to concede a penalty.

Telasco Segovia(4/10):

The only wide player on the pitch to start the game for Miami, Segovia followed suit when it came to the poor showing from the midfield. Outside of one shot on target, he was invisible before being pulled for Daniel Pinter. 

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Tadeo Allende (5/10):

Quietly, the best player on attack for Miami, and had two shots on target – but couldn't get past a determined Kahlina.

Lionel Messi (3/10):

As pedestrian as he's ever looked in MLS, this was a poor outing from the legend – his second in a row following an equally quiet showing in the Leagues Cup. His missed penalty changed the momentum, giving Charlotte a spark. Despite Miami largely controlling possession, Messi never got going. Without Suarez to worry about, Charlotte put two to three bodies on Messi with every touch and dared his teammates to do the scoring. That strategy was effective.

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Noah Allen (5/10):

Came on for Bright but didn't change much in the contest. 

Daniel Pinter (4/10):

Made his MLS debut after starring in MLS Next, which is always a great moment. But ineffective otherwise. 

Marcelo Weigandt (4/10):

He was worse than the player he replaced.

Javier Mascherano (2/10):

The best managers find a way to get their teams back on track after an embarrassing defeat, yet Inter Miami sustained their second-straight 3-0 loss. That's unacceptable considering the 14-day break the club had between losing the Leagues Cup final and this match. Mascherano's relationship with Messi will likely keep him in this job, but the manager looked tactically out of his depth.