Clinical Impact down Red Bulls to advance to conference championship

The Montreal Impact are moving on to the Eastern Conference Championship for the first time in franchise history, with Ignacio Piatti scoring twice to defeat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 at Red Bull Arena. Sunday's result saw the Impact advance with a 3-1 victory on aggregate.

Matteo Mancosu's first-leg rocket goal proved the difference at Stade Saputo and set up a second leg where the Red Bulls needed to win by at least two goals without conceding any of its own.

The Red Bulls had an early chance to do just that when they were awarded a 21st-minute penalty, with MVP finalist Sacha Kljestan stepping up to take the spot kick but saw his effort thwarted by Montreal shot-stopper Evan Bush.

Piatti opened the scoring in the 51st minute with a sublime left-footed shot crafted by a few clever twists and turns that left a pair of Red Bulls defenders flat-footed.

Bradley Wright-Phillips cut the aggregate lead in half with a goal of his own in the 77th minute, but it would not be enough to stave off the Impact.

Piatti added a second in the 85th minute, with Dominic Oduro sprinting down the left wing and finding substitute Didier Drogba in the middle. The Ivorian then picked out an onrushing Piatti on the right with a deft pass and Piatti buried the effort with ease.

The Impact now advance to the Eastern Conference Championship where they will face the winner of the Toronto FC - New York City FC series. Toronto holds a 2-0 aggregate lead over NYCFC, who hosts the Reds at Yankee Stadium on Sunday with a full host of star players on display.

Impact fans will be salivating at the chance to take on bitter rival Toronto FC in the final, setting up a 401 Derby finish to the Eastern Conference and also sending the first Canadian team to the MLS Cup final regardless of the winner.