MLS Review: Late goals give Toronto hope in dramatic clash, Sounders edge Rapids

Toronto FC scored two late goals to blow their Eastern Conference Championship tie against Montreal Impact wide open, while Seattle Sounders rallied past Colorado Rapids.

United States internationals Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley scored two priceless away goals inside the final 22 minutes in Toronto’s drama-filled 3-2 defeat in Montreal on Tuesday.

The first-leg fixture had it all in front of a capacity crowd at Stade Olympique with kick-off delayed in the all-Canadian affair after the referee determined the penalty area had been marked incorrectly.

When the lines were resprayed and the match finally got underway, 38 minutes later than anticipated, the 61,004-strong crowd were treated to a thriller as the Impact – with Didier Drogba named among the substitutes – raced out to a 2-0 lead.

Piatti Mancosu!

The Italian striker stays hot with his fourth strike of the postseason. #MTLvTOR https://t.co/YavrvoO08H

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2016

Dominic Oduro opened the scoring in the 10th minute, tucking the ball underneath the onrushing Clint Irwin, before Matteo Mancosu doubled Montreal’s advantage two minutes later.

Ambroise Oyon-goal. 3-0. #MTLvTOR https://t.co/80xpyzz8zg

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2016

It got better eight minutes into the second half, when Ambroise Oyongo made it 3-0 to put the Impact firmly in control.

The captain steps up with a MASSIVE away goal for @torontofc #MTLvTOR https://t.co/UBiLzNvOSI

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2016

But the visitors had other ideas, experienced duo Altidore and Bradley pulling goals back in a five-minute span – the first coming in the 68th minute – to leave the tie delicately poised ahead of the return meeting in Toronto.

In the Western Conference, the Sounders came from behind to beat the visiting Rapids 2-1 in the first leg.

The Rapids took a 13th-minute lead via Kevin Doyle, but Seattle’s Jordan Morris equalised six minutes later.

And Uruguay international Nicolas Lodeiro completed the comeback from the penalty spot just past the hour-mark in Seattle.