Charlotte FC Forward Liel Abada Named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 35

CHARLOTTE, NC (Monday, November 9, 2026) - Charlotte FC forward Liel Abada was named to MLS team of the Matchday for Matchday 35 after the comeback draw against Inter Miami on Decision Day. This comes two matchdays after Abada recorded the third-fastest hat trick in MLS history last week against CF Montréal for Matchday 33. He now has five goals in his last three matches.

The Crown battled through a wild showdown on Saturday afternoon that led to a draw against Inter Miami, earning a point after leveling the match in the 90^th minute with a goal from Rodolfo Aloko. Even with this comeback from Charlotte, they remain fifth in the Eastern Conference and face off against Chicago Fire in the first round of the MLS Audi Playoffs.

Trailing 3-0 at half, Abada spearheaded Charlotte's comeback, scoring a goal in the 50th minute. Ashley Westwood delivered a ball to the back left corner post, where Tyger Smalls sent it past the faces of two defenders to Abada who finished with a goal, putting the Crown on the scoreboard.

Just five minutes later, a combination between Pep Biel and Abada entered center stage for the second goal of the afternoon. After a quick exchange, Biel sent a backwards pass to Abada, creating a clear path for the shot which the Israeli winger finished smoothly, continuing his hot streak and fueling the Crown's comeback.

The Crown will travel to Chicago for the first match of the best of three series against Chicago Fire in the first round of the 2026 Audi MLS playoffs.  Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at SeatGeek Stadium on Sunday, November 22. This match will be broadcast on Apple TV and FS1/Fox Deportes.

Game 2 will be held on Saturday, November 28 at Bank of America Stadium at 12:30. Game 3, if necessary, will return to Chicago on Wednesday, December 2.

See below for the Full team of the Matchday

F: Sam Surridge (NSH), Gonzalo Tapia (CLB), Liel Abada (CLT)
M: Albert Rusnák (SEA), Kaick (DAL), Braian Ojeda (ORL), Cavan Sullivan (PHI)
D: Mihail Gherasimencov (VAN), Lukas MacNaughton (STL), Zach Booth (RSL)
GK: Andrew Thomas (SEA)

Coach: Pablo Mastroeni (RSL)

Bench: Brian Schwake (NSH), Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (RBNY), Patrick Yazbek (NSH), Adri Mehmeti (RBNY), Nectarios Triantis (MIN), Kristoffer Velde (POR), Cheikh Sabaly (VAN), Quinn Sullivan (PHI), Robert Lewandowski (CHI)

NEXT AT HOME