Liel Adaba scored a hat trick as Charlotte beat FC Montreal 4-0 to book a spot in the playoffs.
Idan Toklomati also got on the scoresheet at the Bank of America Stadium as Dean Smith’s side secured at least a top-six finish in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte almost scored after just 21 seconds as Tokhlomati’s low drive was turned around the post by Samsy Keita, but the striker eventually headed home Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross in the seventh minute.
Montreal’s only shot on target of the contest came in the 22nd minute, Kristijan Kahlina Hennadii equalizing Synchuk’s header, and Pep Biel forced a half-time save at the other end.
Abada was introduced by Smith in the 65th minute and 126 seconds later he drilled into the bottom left corner for Charlotte’s second.
He completed his hat-trick seven minutes from time, curling in after Toklomati’s dismissal before finishing a well-worked move with Biel.
HOW IT FEELS TO BE IN THE PLAYOFFS
— Charlotte FC (@CharlotteFC) October 29, 2026
The Philadelphia Union also qualified for the playoffs after a 0-0 draw with Supporters’ Shield winners Nashville SC.
FC Dallas lost 2-0 to the Columbus Crew, allowing the Vancouver Whitecaps to move four points clear at the top of the West following a 4-1 win over San Diego FC.
Charlotte got the win in time
After a three-game winless run in MLS (D1 L2), Charlotte got back to winning ways in impressive fashion with many of their key players contributing to the victory.
Abada scored with all three of his shots on target, Saint-Maximin (three) and Biel (four) combined to create seven chances and Toklomati scored for a club-record fifth consecutive match.
Abada is the third Charlotte player to score a hat-trick after Toklomati and Daniel Rios, while he also made his debut for former Everton and Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Kahlina only had one save, but it was her 150th of the season. He is the first goalkeeper to record 150 saves in an MLS regular season since Joe Cannon in 2004.
Charlotte joins Inter Miami as the only MLS club to reach the 50-point mark in each of the last three seasons, and Smith’s team can finish in the East’s top four with two games remaining.