The Montreal Impact had never managed to defeat the New York Red Bulls in Harrison prior to Sunday, but the Canadian club bucked that trend at the most opportune time to its place in the final four.
The Impact captured a historic 2-1 win against the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, giving Mauro Biello’s team a 3-1 aggregate win to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in the club’s history.
The visitors took the lead six minutes into the second stanza, putting the Red Bulls at a massive disadvantage at home. Ignacio Piatti notched his second goal of the postseason in the 51st minute after getting past Red Bulls defender Chris Duvall and blasting a shot past Luis Robles.
Bradley Wright-Phillips did his best to pull the Red Bulls back into the match and notched a goal for the hosts with under 15 minutes remaining following a cross from second-half substitute Daniel Royer from inside the penalty area.
Piatti locked up the tie in the 85th minute with his second of the day, sealing the Impact’s spot in the conference final.
After a physical opening quarter hour, the Red Bulls nearly took the lead in the 20th minute when Gonzalo Veron was taken down in the penalty area by Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush. However, Bush avenged his critical mistake by stopping Sacha Kljestan’s ensuing spot kick, keeping the match scoreless on the afternoon.
With Sunday’s win, the Impact advance to the Eastern Conference finals and will face the winner of Toronto FC’s semifinals clash with New York City FC.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Ignacio Piatti continues to light it up in the postseason, adding two more goals to his name on Sunday afternoon which helped the Impact knock out the Eastern Conference’s top seeded club.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
It was Piatti’s brilliance in front of goal that gave the Impact the win, but Evan Bush‘s first-half save on Sacha Kljestan from the penalty spot prevented the Red Bulls from building any early momentum.
MATCH TO FORGET
Despite having a brilliant regular season, which included a league-leading 20 assists, Sacha Kljestan failed to break down the Impact defense on Sunday and his penalty miss proved crucial for the Red Bulls.
The Redbulls are the most overrated team in the league. I am not saying they are not a good team, but their strategy consists of the high press. Once broken, they collapse. The NYRBs are dirty, cry babies and winers, right up to Marsch. #Weak #Overrated
Hey R. Obviously you’re an NYCFC fan. Just curious, how’d they do yesterday? #bittermuch?
Enormously disappointing for NYRB. Congrats to Montreal Impact and their traveling supporters.
Trying not to overreact but hard not to. BWP was the Golden Moot of the legs. He couldn’t score when it mattered. Sacha Klestjian,…well,…there is so much to saw. He is a paper tiger. I cannot understandably Marsh has him taking PKs. It is obvious he cannot take the pressure. He is the easiest guy to ‘ice’ in pro sports. He is a very good supporting player,…but to have him in the MVP mix is absurd.
Great run by the club,…seven straight playoffs,…lots of wins and points but nothing really to show for it and the window on this team is closing fast. Ali Curtis,…if your out there,….off-load Veron and try to find a real #10 for a DP. Make a big play for a big player. How is it that LA has Keane, Dallas has Diaz and Seattle has Lodeiro? Anyway,….hoping for Colorado or Seattle v NYCFC.