Recap: Columbus Crew 3-1 Montreal Impact (4-3 agg)

The statistics did point to the fact that home teams win during the playoffs and the Columbus Crew did just that. A 3-1 win against the Montreal Impact book their place in the Eastern Conference Championship. The Bleu-Blanc-Noir cinderella story would stop in Ohio.

The Crew dominated possession and relied on strong organization to keep the Impact at bay,  especially after taking the lead early in the game thanks to Kei Kamara. As the Impact was able to send more balls upfront, the bleu-blanc-noir players were rewarded via a Dilly Duka goal that looked offside, off a scramble in the box.

In the second half, the Impact took control of the game and was looking to score that killer second goal at MAPFRE stadium. A higher block helped put more pressure on the Crew but no goals. But a dramatic and tense situation occurred when Laurent Ciman was called for a clumsy foul on Finlay,  gifting the home team a penalty kick. Kamara's attempt was saved by Ohio-native Evan Bush, shifting momentum towards the Impact.

After a few scoring chances,  not all convincing,  Montreal bunkered down but was punished. Finlay scores the 2-1 goal making the aggregate score 3-3.

The game went into extra-time.

The first half was all Black &  Gold as the home team had more than a handful of chances to take the lead. As the Impact was defending to keep the 3-3 aggregate scoreline,  the Crew continued to push more and more. Though Montreal had a few half-scoring chances, it was Kei Kamara that scores and give a 3-1 lead  off a header with less then 10 minutes left.

That goal would end up qualifying the Crew to Eastern Conference Championship against the New York Red Bulls.