CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Idan Toklomati recorded his first career hat trick, Kristijan Kahlina made three great saves to earn his 10th clean sheet of the season, and Charlotte beat Inter Miami 3-0 on Saturday night for its ninth straight regular-season victory.
Charlotte (17-11-2) tied Seattle’s 2018 MLS record for consecutive wins in a single season, excluding the shootout era.
Miami (13-6-7), which played its first regular-season match since Aug. 23, was without suspended striker Luis Suárez.
Kahlina denied Lionel Messi’s panenka attempt (a middle chip shot on a penalty kick) in the 32nd and Toklomati opened the scoring two minutes later.
Toklomati added another in the 47th on a redirection following Brandt Bronico’s nice centering pass.
After Miami dropped to 10-men following Tomás Avilés’ second yellow card in the 79th, Toklomati converted a penalty kick five minutes later for his 11th goal of the season.
Toklomati joined Andy Williams (1998) as the only players in MLS history aged 21 or younger to produce a goal contribution in seven-straight games. Toklomati also became the second player in Charlotte history to produce a regular-season hat trick, joining Daniel Ríos from 2022.
Charlotte head coach Dean Smith watched from the Bank of America Stadium stands due to suspension (yellow cards).
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