MLS Playoffs 2013: Montreal Impact crash and burn 3-0 vs the Houston Dynamo

The Montreal Impact is eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs as the Houston Dynamo was the better team in every aspect of the game. Obliteration is the word to use and the Impact fell to the experience and talent of a Dynamo team that built itself to its current success.

Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls will be coming to BBVA Compass Stadium and not Stade Saputo for the Eastern Conference semifinal.

The start of the game was positive for Les Bleus as Marco Di Vaio was active around the Dynamo back-line with a few close calls and offsides. But that would last 10 minutes or so as the Dynamo took advantage of a rookie mistake by Matteo Ferrari and the Impact paid cash. Ricardo Clark gets the ball to Will Bruin who crucifies Troy Perkins for the first goal of the game.

Hernan Bernardello needlessly fouls Boniek Garcia in the box and Mark Geiger does not hesitate to call the deserved penalty kick. The Guatemalan Designated Player converts the penalty and the task was close to impossible for Montreal to pursue a miraculous comeback.

Being led 2-0 at the half, it was all about the Orange Crush as the Impact were desperately looking for a goal. With multiple chances to to score a 3rd goal, Houston received some help from Nelson Rivas as the Colombian defender was shown his second yellow card and took an early shower. He should have been red-carded on his initial yellow card after blatantly elbowing Giles Barnes in the face.

Will Bruin made it 3-0 after Matteo Ferrari blew a tire and his hamstring. Bruin easily beat Troy Perkins, who could not do much on that play. The game should have stopped there but then one shameful incident sparked another.

Andres Romero decided to kick the ball and Kofi Sarkodie after initially fouling Houston's right back. He was red carded but only after a mob of players joined in to exchange words and shoves. Di Vaio took it to the next level and put his hands around Corey Ashe's neck. Both Romero and Di Vaio were red-carded and this game could not have ended more horribly for the Montreal Impact.

Lineups

MTL - Perkins; Brovsky, Ferrari (c), Rivas, Camara; Bernardello, Warner (Felipe 62'); Pisanu (Romero 55'), Wenger (Paponi 62'), Mapp; Di Vaio

Subs: Bush, Lefèvre, Bernier, Arnaud

HOU - Hall; Sarkodie, Boswell Brunner, Ashe; García, Creavalle, Clark, Davis (c); Barnes, Bruin

Subs: Deric, López, Chabala, Weaver, Cummings, Driver, Carrasco

Goals

HOU - Bruin (Clark) 16'
HOU - Garcia 27'
HOU - Bruin 72'

Caution

MTL - Rivas 34'

Ejection

MTL - Rivas 70'
MTL - Di Vaio 90'
MTL - Romero 90'