MONTREAL

Playoff hopes dim as Impact lose to Red Bulls, 2-1

The Associated Press Published Wednesday, October 7, 2015 10:50PM EDT

New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) scores a penalty shot on Montreal Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush, left, during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Text:

HARRISON, N.J. - Sacha Kljestan and Lloyd Sam scored to help the New York Red Bulls beat the Montreal Impact 2-1 on Wednesday night.

New York (16-9-6) will secure the Eastern Conference regular-season title with a win or tie in either of its two remaining matches. The Red Bulls are three points ahead of Los Angeles and four in front of FC Dallas in the race for the overall lead.

Ambroise Oyongo was shown a red card for a hand ball on what otherwise would certainly have been a goal by Bradley Wright-Phillip in the 15th minute, leaving Montreal (12-13-6) a man down.

Kljestan put away the ensuing penalty kick.

Wright-Phillips slipped behind the defence on a breakaway, pulling goalkeeper Evan Bush out to the top of the box, but couldn't convert either of two shots. The second, however, ricocheted back to Sam, who chipped over a scrambling Bush to make it 2-0 going into the half.

Didier Drogba converted a penalty kick in the 67th for Montreal.