The game in 100 words (or less): The top-seeded New York Red Bulls are out of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs after a 2-1 defeat (3-1 on aggregate) at the hands of the Montreal Impact in the second leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday. Ignacio Piatti, who scored 16 goals and assisted on seven others during the regular season, bagged both Impact goals to improve upon his side’s narrow 1-0 advantage from last weekend’s first leg. The Red Bulls had a number of chances to pull level prior to Piatti’s opener — most notably Sacha Kljestan’s penalty kick which was saved in the 21st minute — but Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips were wasteful for a second straight game, and the price they paid was their season. After finishing the regular season 16 games unbeaten, the Red Bulls are out of the playoffs after 180 minutes. The Impact will face the side that advances from the East’s other semifinal, Toronto FC vs. New York City FC, later on Sunday. TFC hold a 2-0 lead ahead of the second leg at Yankee Stadium.
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Three moments that mattered
21' — Bush saves Kljestan’s penalty to preserve 1-0 — At the same time Tim Howard was putting on a penalty-saving show in Denver, Evan Bush made a singular spot-kick save of his own, turning away a pedestrian effort from Kljestan.
A chance for #RBNY to pull even...
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 6, 2016
...but @ebushel1 says NO! #NYvMTL https://t.co/LS7mat9WRL
51' — Piatti hits a stunner against the run of play — With possession sitting at nearly 2-to-1 on the evening, the Impact seemed to be playing to preserve their slim lead. Piatti had other ideas, opting instead to double the advantage.
Priceless.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 6, 2016
Piatti gives @impactmontreal a vital Leg 2 lead. #NYvMTL #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/8vPfIj6Aoi
85' — Piatti finishes a deadly counter for 3-1 — Bend; don’t break; pick your spots to punish them on the counter. Playoff soccer at its absolute finest.
Surely that'll seal it.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 6, 2016
Piatti. Again. #NYvMTL #MLSCupPlayoffs https://t.co/sXNGGKZcjq
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Man of the match: Ignacio Piatti
Goalscorers: Piatti (51', 85'), Wright-Phillips (77')
