Altidore strikes as Toronto beat Columbus to reach MLS Cup

Jozy Altidore scored the lone goal as Toronto FC beat Columbus Crew SC 1-0 in the second leg of the Eastern Conference finals at BMO Field on Wednesday night.

Justin Meram made a mess of a golden chance just before the 20-minute mark with a heavy first touch from a pinpoint Ola Kamara pass that sprang him in the Toronto penalty area.

Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen then bailed out his team, saving a Victor Vazquez penalty after Josh Williams toppled Toronto's Drew Moor following a corner kick.

Toronto spent much of the start of the second half playing with 10 men after Altidore collided with a Crew defender in the penalty area and required attention from the team's medical staff. However, the U.S. international returned just past the 55-minute mark with the score still level at 0-0.

And Altidore made his return count minutes later, burying a first-time shot past Steffen after some neat build-up play between Vazquez and Sebastian Giovinco.

Just after his goal, Altidore was subbed off for Armando Cooper as Toronto settled in to see out the match.

But the end was a nervy one for Toronto as Kamara just missed a back-post chance just past the 80-minute mark

Toronto will host the winner of Thursday's Western Conference final second leg between Seattle Sounders and Houston Dynamo (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN).