Kei Kamara got the chance to redeem himself and he did so in thrilling fashion.
After Evan Bush denied his 68th-minute penalty kick, Kamara’s 111th-minute flying header found the back of the net, securing a 3-1 victory and sending Crew SC to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Kamara’s series-clinching goal capped off a frantic final 75 minutes of action. The score stood level 1-1 at halftime after Kamara and Montreal's Dilly Duka exchanged goals. The result would have sent Montreal through, so Crew SC went on the attack. Ethan Finlay’s 77th-minute score tied the series 3-3 on aggregate and secured extra time, but Crew SC kept its foot on the gas until Kamara’s decisive goal.
Here's a closer look at the box score.
1
After losing their three previous clashes with the Impact, the Black & Gold got over the hump and defeated Montreal for the first time this season when it mattered the most.
6
For the sixth time in club history, Crew SC is off to the Eastern Conference Finals. The last time Crew SC advanced to the conference finals, it defeated Chicago 2-1 on aggregate and went on to win the 2008 MLS Cup.
9
Crew SC did well to spread the wealth in the attacking third. Nine different players registered a shot on Sunday with Kamara and Finlay leading the way with six each.
44
Both Bush and Steve Clark had their work cut out for them on Sunday. Of the 44 shots registered by both teams, 20 were on target. Clark and Bush registered 15 saves in total. The defensive lines in front of them were kept busy as well. Columbus and Montreal combined for a whopping 58 crosses and 61 clearances.
598
Crew SC moved the ball well and looked confident in possession, especially in the final third. Columbus completed 598 passes to Montreal’s 438 and finished with 80 percent passing accuracy.
19,026
Over 19,000 screaming supporters transformed MAPFRE Stadium into an electric environment, especially after Kamara’s winning score. The attendance total stands as Crew SC’s second most-attended playoff match in stadium history.
