Impact scores 2 away goals against Alajuelense, qualifies to CONCACAF Champions League Final

A dream has now become reality as the Impact has booked its ticket to the CCL final after going past Alajuelense on a 4-4 aggregate score. It's the first time that a Canadian club makes it to a CCL final and only the second MLS club in the current form of the tournament.

Hard fought first half

As expected, Alajuelense was very aggressive early on and tested Evan Bush with a few shots outside the box and dangerous free kicks. It did not deter the Impact's ambitions to get a precious away goal, even though it had difficulties to hold on the ball in the midfield. If Nigel Reo-Coker was not perfect earlier this season, it was Calum Mallace that was making errand passes and not being able to follow the fast pace imposed by the home team.

The game was very aggressive with a few dangerous tackles and exchanged words of diplomacy. But the Impact would let the ball do the talking via Jack McInerney as he scores the half's only goal at the 42nd minute, tapping a Dominic Oduro cross.

Difficult second half

Alajuelense made it interesting as it score the equalizer off a direct free kick, within minutes of the start of the second half and did not stop there. Off a corner kick,  the home team takes a 2-1 lead with enough time to start their own version of La Remontada.

To stop the bleeding, Klopas brings in Patrice Bernier and Andres Romero to create more balance on the pitch and it paid off. Following a smart counterattack, Bernier finds Romero in the box who takes his time to dribble his way closer to the goal and scores the tying goal,

2-2

The last 20 minutes were difficult to watch if you are rooting for the Bleu-Blanc-Noir. Alajuelense takes a 3-2 lead and bombarded Bush's box with crosses and shots to eventually score a 4th goal in the dying minutes of extra time but it would not be enough for Alajuelense.

Montreal is going to the CONCACAF Champions League final.