Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba, right, and New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle compete for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) - 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 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 defense 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.
Montreal Impact forward Dominic Oduro reacts after missing a shot against the New York Red Bulls during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. The Red Bulls won 2-1. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan holds a child after the Red Bulls beat the Montreal Impact 2-1 during an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty, left, and Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba compete for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. The Red Bulls won 2-1. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles dives but is unable to stop a penalty shot by Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. The Red Bulls won 2-1. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba, left, competes for the ball against New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle, center, and midfielder Sean Davis during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. The Red Bulls won 2-1. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba, left, competes for the ball against New York Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, in Harrison, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The Associated Press
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)
The Associated Press