MONTREAL -- There's no stopping the East-leading New York Red Bulls lately.
A second-half goal by Dane Richards proved the difference as a shorthanded New York Red Bulls side captured their fifth straight league victory and became the first team to win in Montreal, with a 2-1 triumph over the Impact at Olympic Stadium on Saturday night.
Montreal's Bernardo Corradi exchanged first-half penalty kick goals with NY's Kenny Cooper, but it was Richards netting the game-winner on a counterattack just minutes after the Red Bulls were reduced to 10 men after Victor Palsson received his second yellow card of the match.
in a tight match-up, Montreal was on the board first in the 21st minute after NY defender Markus Holgersson was judged to have handled a header by Corradi. The Italian striker duly converted the penalty to the right of Red Bulls rookie goalkeeper Ryan Meara.
Eight minutes before halftime, however, Impact left back Tyson Wahl was also called for a hand ball in the box, leaving Cooper to score his 10th goal of the season from the spot.
New York's 2-1 advantage came through Richards, who roofed home a rebound on a 67th minute counterattack. Left back Roy Miller started the play and would eventually cross a ball into the box which was deflected by Montreal goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. The ball bounced straight to the netminder's Jamaican compatriot Richards, who blasted home the winner.
That goal came just moments after NY's Palsson was sent off for a second caution after committing a foul on Montreal's Miguel Montaño. Following the ejection, the Red Bulls played to contain the Impact although Matteo Ferrari, Corradi and Felipe all missed glorious chances for the home side before the final whistle.
The Red Bulls maintained their lead atop the Eastern Conference with the win, the first time in nine years that they have won five on the trot. The Red Bulls will have their streak tested against former forward Juan Agudelo and Chivas USA on Wednesday, May 23 at Red Bull Arena.
Next for the Impact after their first home defeat is a trip to Colorado to face the Rapids on Saturday, May 26.
