Charlotte Independence staged a stunning late comeback to beat Portland Hearts of Pine 3–2 in USL League One action on Wednesday, with Stéfano Pinho scoring twice deep in stoppage time to snatch all three points.

Charlotte took the lead in the 20th minute when Jon Bakero finished off a chance created by Clay Dimick. The Independence controlled the first half despite picking up two early yellow cards — Reudd Manin in the 15th minute and Kevin Riascos in the 35th — but couldn't extend their advantage before the break.

Portland came out a different side after halftime. Matteo Kidd equalized in the 59th minute, and just six minutes later Michel Poon-Angeron turned the game on its head to give the Hearts of Pine a 2–1 lead. The visitors looked set to hold on, even after Poon-Angeron was booked in the 80th minute.

Then came the dramatic finale. With the match stretching well into added time, Pinho pulled Charlotte level in the 90th-plus-six minute, converting from a Javen Romero delivery. Portland barely had time to regroup. Two minutes later, Pinho struck again — this time fed by Bakero — to complete the turnaround and send Charlotte to a 3–2 victory.

It was a gut-wrenching collapse for Portland, who had done the hard work of overturning an early deficit only to concede twice in the dying moments. For Charlotte Independence, the result is the kind of late drama that can define a season, delivering three points that looked all but lost.