Matteo Mancosu’s stunning half-volley proved the difference as the Montreal Impact claimed a 1-0 home win over the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series.
The goal arrived just past the hour mark of a tightly-contested affair, as Marco Donadel sprung his fellow Italian with a ball over the top that Mancosu let bounce before he lashed an unstoppable shot past Luis Robles.
It was the best chance for either team in a tightly-contested affair that saw the Impact play a lockdown game on the defensive side of the ball, slowing down the high-powered Red Bulls' attack. New York's best look only came in second-half stoppage time when Evan Bush parried a close-range Omer Damari shot right into the path of Bradley Wright-Phillips, who sliced his shot wide.
Damari would see a red card just seconds later for a hard, late challenge on Calum Mallace in front of the Montreal bench, meaning the Red Bulls will not be able to count on him for the return leg at Red Bull Arena next Sunday, where they must figure out a way through a watertight Impact backline if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.
