Bulls drew first blood in the conference semis, while
Vancouver Whitecaps were held.
Johan Venegas broke a second-half deadlock as Montreal
Impact rallied to beat Columbus Crew 2-1 in the first leg of the
MLS conference semi-finals on Sunday.
Venegas dispossessed Crew defender Michael Parkhurst and
ran through on goal before curling the ball beyond Steve Clark
with 13 minutes remaining in the Eastern Conference semi at
Stade Saputo in Montreal.
Scores were level at half-time in the play-off clash after Impact
midfielder Patrice Bernier cancelled out Federico Higuain's 33rd-
minute opener within four minutes.
Didier Drogba was unable to add to his 12 goals this season,
despite finding the back of the net in the first half.
The former Chelsea striker's 15th-minute goal was ruled out for
handball just as he turned away to celebrate.
Drogba and Co. will travel to Columbus for the return leg next
Sunday.
Seattle Sounders were also 2-1 winners on home soil courtesy
of a stunning late free-kick from Clint Dempsey.
The United States international struck three minutes from time
to see the Sounders past visitors Dallas in the Western
Conference.
Fabian Castillo put Dallas ahead inside 18 minutes after being
played in behind Seattle's defence by team-mate Mauro Diaz.
The Sounders were back on level terms in the 67th minute,
when Andreas Ivanschitz fired the ball across Dallas goalkeeper
Jesse Gonzalez from outside the box.
And Dempsey completed the comeback in the closing stages,
with a curled set-piece beyond Gonzalez.
New York Red Bulls netted a priceless away goal in their 1-0 win
at DC United.
Dax McCarty's 72nd-minute goal was enough to see off DC in
the American capital.
Sacha Kljestan whipped in a deep free-kick and picked out
McCarty, who headed past Bill Hamid.
Meanwhile, Portland Timbers were held to a goalless draw at
home to Vancouver Whitecaps.
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