Columbus Crew SC vs. Montreal Impact – Playoff Semifinals (Leg 2) Game Preview
Sunday, Nov. 8th, 5:00 p.m. ET. MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus, OH.
The second leg of Major League Soccer’s Audi Cup semifinals, with Visitors Montreal Impact coming on the back of Sunday’s 2-1 win on the first round.
The regular MLS season was a rollercoaster for both Columbus Crew and Montreal Impact, but both ended up clinching a spot in the Major League Soccer Playoffs this year. Montreal are on a 5-game winning streak from the regular season still, while Columbus got to rest on a first-round bye with an epic 5-0 win over D.C. United, and prior to that also won playoff contender Toronto FC 2-0.
Hosts Columbus Crew are coming on their back heals after losing the first leg, and are looking to make it to their first MLS Eastern Conference Championships since 2008 where they won their one and only Major League Soccer Cup.
Crew’s Kei Kamara is in the running for the Major League Soccer Golden Boot award, with 22 goals this regular MLS season.
Montreal Impact have been flying high since star Designated Player Didier Drogba join them in mid-season, and punched in 12 goals in overall 12 games.
Montreal’s captain and Quebec native Patrice Bernier is making huge impact in these MLS Playoffs, where he scored a goal and produced an assist in the Impact’s 3-0 win that knocked Canadian rival Toronto FC out of Major League Soccer’s first Playoff Round.
Bernier also scored the equalizer in Montreal’s 2-1 win over the Crew on Sunday’s first leg. If the Impact continue at this rate, they will make it to their first-ever trip to the MLS Eastern Conference Championships.
