Charlotte FC's Stock Up, Stock Down: The Crown clinches playoff spot behind a Liel Abada hat trick
By Billy McGee - @iambillymcgee
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Charlotte FC has officially clinched a spot in the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 4-0 win over CF Montréal. The win marks the club’s largest margin of victory against an MLS opponent since the 6-1 win against New York Red Bulls on March 21, 2026.
Here’s a look at our Stock Up, Stock Down from Charlotte FC’s playoff-clinching win:
Stock Up
Liel Abada - The DP winger became the third player in Charlotte FC history to score a hat trick, doing so within 18 minutes of being substituted on for Rodolfo Aloko in the 65th minute. All three of his goals came in similar places, taking advantage of the opportunities given to him and finding the back of the net on three of his four shots. Abada had stretches this season where the end product just wasn’t there, struggling to get the ball past the keeper on big chances, seeing three get in the net should do wonders for his confidence going into the most important games of the season.
Idan Toklomati - The 22-year-old striker has been on fire since the team’s 3-3 draw against Toronto FC on August 19, scoring 10 goals and assisting another three in the 12 game span, including six goals in his last five games. He got the scoring started with an early goal against Montréal and assisted one of Abada’s goals to bring his season goal contribution total to 20.
Defense - After a stretch of games where the defense allowed an abundance of chances and goals against, the Crown took on the last placed team in the Eastern Conference and kept their first clean sheet since the 0-0 draw against Houston on September 5. Charlotte FC held Montréal to 10 shots with just one shot on target. The unit needed a get right game going into two crucial games against Orlando City SC and Inter Miami to end the regular season.
Abdoulaye Doucouré - The 33-year-old midfielder made his Charlotte FC debut as a late sub, coming on in the 84th minute. Although he only made a short appearance, Doucouré impressed. He went a perfect 12/12 on accurate passes, including an accurate long ball and three passes into the final third. His performance could be an indicator of good things to come from the Malian midfielder as the playoffs near and he works his way into better game shape where he could play more minutes.
Dean Smith - The Charlotte FC manager has now led the club to an outright playoff berth in all three seasons that he has been with the club and with the win became just the second coach in MLS history to reach at least 50 points in each of his first three seasons.
