Mancosu scores twice, Impact beat United 4-2 to advance

From there, Montreal’s midfield took over and its top playmakers had one of their most dominant performances of the season.

Montreal advanced by defeating D.C. United, 4-2, in a knockout round game on Thursday night in D.C.

The Impact beat NY 3-0 at Olympic Stadium on March 12, but then lost 3-1 on August 13 and 1-0 on September 24 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., where they have never won.

It has been a long, insane road for the New York Red Bulls.

And his continued success adds further validation to the argument that coach Mauro Biello’s decision to prefer him over the Ivorian over these last few weeks has been the right one. “They started to push, but instead, we found spaces to attack”. “To press for 90 minutes is hard and if we’re able to manage the momentum the game and have possession we’re going to find openings”.

The Red Bulls closed out the regular season last weekend with a 2-0 road win at Philadelphia to stretch the undefeated streak to 16 games in MLS, and 20 overall including CONCACAF Champions League.

Drogba has yet to play in the playoffs because of back issues.

After an embarrassing performance against the campaign concluded New England Revolution last Sunday as coach Mauro Biello had preferred to rest its best, the Impact has managed nearly faultlessly against the United. “If he’s healthy, he will be available”. Against D.C., it was nearly a ideal game. They weren’t playing completely in a bunker – NY were more than willing to launch forward when Montreal gave them an opening – but they weren’t looking to do much of anything that could expose themselves or risk making stupid mistakes that could cost them a goal or losing a player to a suspension.

“Us against them” – one would have to say it is a tool that benefits the frugal, feisty and talented RBNY, in search of their first MLS Cup.

With D.C. pushing to cut into the Montreal lead, Mancosu delivered a death blow for the hosts when he headed home at the near post from a great ball in by Ambroise Oyongo. He will miss at least the second leg next Sunday at Red Bull Arena.

Mancosu made the score 2-0 in the 43rd minute, darting into the six-yard box to get on the end of a pass that Piatti threaded through three defenders on its way across the box.

“He makes positive runs and that’s something we want”, forward Dominic Oduro said this week.

“We hope he’s ready for Sunday”.

Montreal will be tested by D.C., which went 9-4-4 at home this season. Montreal played more conservatively in the second half with 10 players behind the ball and relied mostly on counter-attacks.

The top-seeded Red Bulls had a good chance to find an away goal in the 67th minute.

Of the two, NYCFC’s loss was most debilitating, based not only on the two goals it allowed to put the club in potential peril in the series decided by aggregate score, but also based on the five players who received yellow cards, leaving all of them in jeopardy of being ejected if they get another.

“The guys are extremely disappointed, but I really like this group”, said Olsen.