Orlando City makes final playoff push with statement win over Montreal Impact

The Montreal Impact had a chance to put four teams in the Eastern Conference into a playoff spot with a win over Orlando City on Saturday.

Aside from its own fate, Montreal held in its hands the early qualifying playoff hopes for Toronto FC, the Columbus Crew, and the New England Revolution. With just a win or a draw against the Lions of Florida, Montreal would have wrapped up the East, and the battle for seeds would thus begin.

Orlando would have none of it.

Defiance etched upon the faces of its captain Kaka and his teammates, Orlando fought, scored and even bled for one more win, keeping its own playoff hopes alive and burning.

Cyle Larin scored the opening goal for Orlando, but Dominic Oduro equalized for Montreal soon after. His effort was probably illegal, as the Impact took advantage of every play possible.

Locked 1-1 at halftime, Seb Hines scored late to secure a 2-1 win over Montreal.

The scenes at the Citrus Bowl were overwhelming for the gathered 45,000 supporters, who dream now of overtaking Montreal with but a couple of matches remaining in the season.

The Lions' win postponed changes to the playoff picture for most of the teams involved. Toronto and Columbus wait for next week to clinch their berths, while Montreal's hopes have been dampened, but the Impact's fate remains in its own control. New England could have secured qualification with a win or draw, but lost to the Chicago Fire 3-1.