Abada hat trick sends Charlotte into MLS playoffs

Charlotte FC defeated CF Montreal 4-0 on Wednesday to clinch a place in the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs, with substitute Liel Abada scoring three second-half goals for his first career hat trick. Idan Toklomati opened the scoring in the seventh minute, heading in a cross from Allan Saint-Maximin. Charlotte held a 1-0 lead when Abada replaced Rodolfo Aloko in the 65th minute. He scored in the 67th, 79th and 83rd minutes to complete the hat trick and extend Charlotte’s advantage to 4-0. Abada’s three goals came in a 16-minute span between his first and last, or 18 minutes from his entrance to his final goal. The 25-year-old became the third player to score a hat trick in Charlotte’s history, joining Toklomati and Daniel Rios. The win secured Charlotte’s playoff berth and ended a three-game winless run. The club reached 50 points, according to the match report, and qualified for the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made one save. Montreal’s Samsy Keita stopped three shots, while the visitors were shut out. Toklomati also assisted Abada’s second goal. Pep Biel recorded three assists for Charlotte, which scored four goals for only the...