Montreal Impact's Didier Drogba, left, challenges Columbus Crew SC's Michael Parkhurst during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
MONTREAL (AP) - Substitute Johan Venegas broke a tie in the 77th minute to help the Montreal Impact beat the Columbus Crew 2-1 on Sunday night in the opening leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
Only 4 minutes after Venegas replaced Patrice Bernier, the Costa Rican won a battle for the ball with Michael Parkhurst and went in on a 2-on-1 with Montreal star Didier Drogba. Venegas elected to shoot and picked the far corner for the winner.
The second leg of the two-game, total-goals series is next Sunday in Columbus.
Bernier also scored for Montreal, coming off a 3-0 home victory over Toronto FC in a knockout game Thursday night.
Federico Higuain opened the scoring for the Crew in the 33rd minute. Bernier tied it in the 37th on a header off Marco Donadel's corner kick.
Montreal Impact's Ignacio Piatti, left, challenges Columbus Crew SC's Wil Trapp during the second half of an MLS Eastern Conference semi-final first-leg soccer match in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Columbus Crew SC 's Harrison Afful, right, looks on as Montreal Impact's Patrice Bernier, left, celebrates after scoring against Columbus Crew SC during first half of an MLS Eastern Conference semi-final first-leg soccer match in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact's Didier Drogba, challenges Columbus Crew SC's goalkeeper Steve Clark during second half of an MLS Eastern Conference semi-final first-leg soccer match in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact's Johan Venegas, left, scores against Columbus Crew SC's goalkeeper Steve Clark during the second half of an MLS Eastern Conference semi-final first-leg soccer match in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact's Didier Drogba, left, challenges Columbus Crew SC's Waylon Francis during second half of an MLS Eastern Conference semi-final first-leg soccer match in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact's Laurent Ciman, right, challenges Columbus Crew SC's Ethan Finlay during first half of an MLS soccer game in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact's Didier Drogba, right, challenges Columbus Crew SC's Michael Parkhurst, center, as Crew's Gaston Sauro (22) looks on during the first half of an MLS soccer game in Montreal, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
The Associated Press