- Ignacio Piatti (74' Pen, 89')
Ignacio Piatti double leads Montreal past Toronto to keep playoff hopes alive
The Montreal Impact's MLS playoff hopes are alive -- barely -- following a 2-0 win over visiting Toronto FC Sunday.
Montreal came into the game in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, four points back of D.C. United and five back of the Columbus Crew.
D.C. United clinched a playoff spot with a 3-1 win over New York City FC, but Columbus dropped a 2-1 game to Orlando, leaving the Crew with a two-point lead over the Impact heading into the final games of MLS' regular season.
If Montreal can win at New England next week and Columbus loses or ties at home against Minnesota, Montreal will advance to the playoffs.
After it took a goal away from Montreal in the first half, the MLS video review system gave Montreal its first lead in the Impact's final home game of the season at Stade Saputo.
In the 73rd minute, Ignacio Piatti appeared to be fouled in the Toronto penalty area by Eriq Zavaleta, but the official made no call. The video assistant referee felt otherwise and called for a review. Following a quick look, the referee made the decision to award the Impact a penalty kick.
Piatti made the most of the chance, cleanly knocking home the kick from the spot for the 1-0 lead in the 74th minute.
Piatti made it 2-0 in the 89th minute, sealing the win and keeping Montreal's hopes alive.
The first half saw each team with one solid scoring chance.
Montreal appeared to take a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute, but the goal was called back following a video review that showed Quincy Amarikwa in an offsides position.
Toronto nearly got on the board first in the 24th minute when Sebastian Giovinco found himself behind the Montreal defense, but Evan Bush made the save on the shot, keeping the game scoreless.
Bush finished with four saves to tally his 10th shutout of the year, a new career high.
Game Information
MLS Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter Miami CF | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | +5 | 15 |
| New York Red Bulls | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +4 | 15 |
| Philadelphia Union | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | +5 | 13 |
| Columbus Crew | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 13 |
| FC Cincinnati | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 12 |
| Atlanta United FC | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | +5 | 11 |
| Charlotte FC | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 11 |
| CF Montréal | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 10 |
| Toronto FC | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -4 | 10 |
| D.C. United | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -3 | 9 |
| New York City FC | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 8 |
| Orlando City SC | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -5 | 8 |
| Nashville SC | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | -5 | 7 |
| New England Revolution | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -8 | 4 |
MLS News