Reds miss chance to eliminate Impact

MONTREAL— The Montreal Impact fought off elimination in dramatic fashion and now they have to do it all over again next week.

Montreal’s Ignacio Piatti scored two late goals as the Impact defeated rivals Toronto FC 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Montreal still has a chance of making the Major League Soccer post-season after the Columbus Crew lost 2-1 to Orlando City SC earlier Sunday. Orlando’s Sacha Kljestan scored from the penalty spot in the sixth minute of stoppage time to sink the Crew.

“Earlier this week the scenarios weren’t in our favour,” said Impact midfielder Samuel Piette.

“Our chances weren’t great. Now the probability is even higher. The message is the same, we need to win our last game. But there’s more hope now.

“We have to approach this last game as the biggest of our lives. It’s do or die right now.”

The Impact (14-15-4) are seventh in the Eastern Conference with 46 points, two points behind Columbus (13-11-9) with one game remaining for both teams.

Remi Garde’s men need to defeat the New England Revolution in the season finale next Sunday while Columbus would have to tie or lose at home to Minnesota United FC for the Impact to make the playoffs.

Elsewhere in the league, D.C. United clinched a playoff berth with a 3-1 win over New York City FC.

That score meant Montreal needed a victory against Toronto (9-18-6) to remain in the twoteam playoff race in the East.