Charlotte FC 4-0 CF Montreal: Abada hat-trick clinches playoff berth

Liel Adaba scored a hat-trick as Charlotte FC clinched a playoff spot with a 4-0 victory over CF Montreal.

Idan Toklomati also got on the scoresheet at Bank of America Stadium, with Dean Smith's side securing at least a top six finish in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte almost scored after just 21 seconds as Toklomati's low drive was tipped around the post by Samsy Keita, but the striker eventually netted in the seventh minute, heading in from Allan Saint-Maximin's cross.

Montreal's only shot on target in the contest came in the 22nd minute, with Kristijan Kahlina equal to Hennadii Synchuk's header, while Pep Biel forced a save on the stroke of half-time 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, first curling in from Toklomati's lay-off before finishing off a well-worked move with Biel.

Philadelphia Union also booked their spot in 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 after their 4-1 victory over San Diego FC.

Charlotte record timely victory

After a three-game winless run in MLS (D1 L2), Charlotte have returned 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 in a club-record-extending fifth consecutive match.

Abada is the third Charlotte player to score a hat-trick, after Toklomati and Daniel Rios, while there was also a debut for former Everton and Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Kahlina only had to make one save, but it was his 150th of the season. He is the first goalkeeper since Joe Cannon in 2004 to make 150 saves in a single MLS regular season.

Charlotte have joined Inter Miami as the only MLS clubs to reach the 50-point mark in each of the last three seasons, and Smith's side could still finish in the top four of the East with two games left to play.