Unable to make the most of a home advantage for the second leg of their Eastern Conference play-off match-up, the New York Red Bulls were given the boot from the MLS playoffs with Montreal Impact spoiling any sense of a party.
NYRB went into this fixture needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first fixture. It was the team striped in blue and lead by Didier Drogba (who came on for the last 5 and bagged an assist) though that were able to continue their fine form into the next round winning 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate). For the NYRB it's a familiar sinking feeling with this being the sixth consecutive season they have qualified for the playoffs only to be dumped out on their own turf.
It's salt in the wounds for a side that topped the league come the end of the season. All that goes out the window of course when the playoffs come calling. Still, it was a game with plenty going for it. Red Bulls had a penalty saved by Impact keeper Evan Bush which set the tone for an uphill battle that went the distance. Bradley Wright Philips has topped the scoring charts for yet another season but it wasn't until the 78th minute before he was able to slot home a finish. When it's not going for you, it's just not happening.
A team of unlikely underdogs that are marching on, Montreal Impact look to fight another fixture and it'll be Toronto FC who stand up to the challenge next in line on the 23rd November following the international break. Game on.
Photography by Christian Gideon for SoccerBible.
