Montreal Impact rally past D.C. United, earn playoff spot

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:12 am

Romell Quioto's 88th-minute goal helped the Montreal Impact come from behind for a 3-2 win over D.C. United on Sunday in Washington, ending the host team's slim playoff hopes on Major League Soccer's Decision Day.

Quioto added an assist, and Montreal secured ninth place in the Eastern Conference to advance to the play-in round, where it will face the New England Revolution.

D.C. United finished 5-12-6, with 21 points and 0.91 points per game. They needed a win for a chance to get into the postseason, and instead finished 13th in the 14-team Eastern Conference.

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D.C. United lost forward Gelmin Rivas in the first minute, when he collided with Montreal goalkeeper Clement Diop. Rivas had to be subbed out moments later with Ola Kamara coming on.

Despite the early change, D.C. United did not take long to strike. In the ninth minute, Donovan Pines headed down Julian Gressel's corner kick past Diop for the first goal of the game.

The Impact responded quickly, scoring in the 13th minute. A throw-in came to Quioto, who backed his defender deep into the box and turned to zip a pass through to Bojan, who blasted in an open shot to tie the score.

D.C. United took a 2-1 lead in the 33rd minute, with Kamara getting a header on Edison Flores' corner.

Montreal Impact celebrates
Montreal Impact celebrates
Mitchell Layton-USA TODAY Sports

Quioto's header moments before halftime hit the bar atop the goal, leaving him to hold his hands on his head in frustration.

The second half got more intriguing as the minutes wore on, with Paul Arriola making his return to action for D.C. United after being out almost nine months with a serious knee injury. Arriola came on in the 68th minute as a substitute.

Arriola got off a shot in the 70th minute, but it was blocked high over the net. He also got a quality look in the 80th minute, but a shot from the left side was high.

Victor Wanyama headed the ball in for a goal in the 74th minute to tie it 2-2, leaving D.C. United to scramble in order to get the win they needed. But Quioto sealed it for Montreal with his late header.