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10/28 20:37 CDT Abada's hat trick helps Charlotte beat Montreal 4-0, clinch MLS Cup playoff berth Abada's hat trick helps Charlotte beat Montreal 4-0, clinch MLS Cup playoff berth CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- Liel Abada scored a career-high three goals in a 15-minute span and Charlotte FC beat CF Montreal 4-0 on Wednesday night to clinch a berth in the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs. Idan Toklomati had a goal and an assist for Charlotte (14-10-8), which snapped a three-game winless streak. Pep Biel added three assists. Abada had his first career hat trick and the third in club history, joining Toklomati and Daniel Rios. Montreal (6-19-7) is winless, with four losses, in its last five. Montreal has the fewest points (25) and worst goal differential (minus-30) in the Eastern Conference. Toklomati opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Allan Saint-Maximin, near the left corner of the penalty box, spun toward the end line to evade a defender and then played a perfectly-placed cross to Toklomati for a header from the center of the area. Abada subbed on for Rodolfo Aloko in the 65th minute and scored goals in the 67th, 79th and 83rd. The 25-year-old forward has all of his career-high eight goals this season since the All-Star break. Kristijan Kahlina had one save for Charlotte. Samsy Keita stopped three shots for Montreal. The 17-year-old made his second consecutive start.

Up next Montreal: Plays Saturday at New York City FC. Charlotte: Hosts Orlando on Halloween. ___ See AP's full MLS coverage here

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