Abada hat trick sinks CF Montréal 4-0 in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Liel Abada scored three goals in a 15-minute span as Charlotte FC beat CF Montréal 4-0 on Wednesday night and clinched a berth in the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs.

Idan Toklomati opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a header, finishing a cross from Allan Saint-Maximin, and also had an assist. Abada came off the bench in the 65th minute for Rodolfo Aloko and scored in the 67th, 79th and 83rd minutes. It was his first career hat trick and the third in Charlotte history, after Toklomati and Daniel Rios.

Pep Biel added three assists for Charlotte, which snapped a three-game winless run. Abada, 25, has all eight of his goals this season, a career high, since the All-Star break.

Montréal remains in a deep slump. The club has lost four of its last five games, and its 25 points and goal difference of minus-30 are the worst in the Eastern Conference.

Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Samsy Keita made his second consecutive start and stopped three shots. Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made one save.

Montréal plays at New York City FC on Saturday. Charlotte hosts Orlando City on Halloween.

The loss is the latest in a difficult stretch for the Quebec club. CF Montréal was blanked 2-0 by Nashville at Stade Saputo last weekend, and before that earned a 1-1 draw with the Sounders in Seattle. Earlier in October we looked ahead to the club’s Canadian Championship final against Forge FC.

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Via The Associated Press and ESPN match data. Original report.