Revs climb back into playoff position with win in Montreal

Don’t look now, but the New England Revolution have clawed their way back into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Revs beat the Montreal Impact 3-1 at Stade Saputo in Canada on Saturday night behind Kei Kamara’s first minute strike and a brace by Kelyn Rowe.

New England, who entered the weekend seventh in the conference and one point out of the sixth and final playoff spot, climbed to sixth as DC United tied last place the Chicago Fire 2-2 and Orlando City SC lost 4-1 to the Columbus Crew.

Late season runs have been a Revolution trademark throughout the club’s history. Not including last Tuesday’s 4-2 loss in the US Open Cup final to FC Dallas, the Revs have won three straight and will head into next Sunday’s clash at Columbus with momentum.

The Revolution had no trouble finding their footing north of the border on Saturday night.

Kamara put the ball into the back of the net after just 23 seconds, heading in a cross into the heart of the penalty area from Kelyn Rowe, who received the ball just outside the box from Juan Agudelo.

Agudelo nearly doubled the lead in the 19^th minute, but hit the post on a rebound from a save by Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush off a low drive from Lee Nguyen.

Rowe would eventually make it 2-0 in the 27^th minute with a laser from outside the box that banked off the left post.

New England defender London Woodberry got called for a handball in the box in the 49^th minute, referee Allan Chapman awarding the Impact with a penalty kick, which Didier Drogba converted to make it 2-1.

Agudelo hit the post again in the 58^th minute, the Revolution looking to extend their lead to two goals once more.

Rowe eventually completed his brace. In the 59^th minute, Bush punched a cross from the left flank directly in Rowe’s path, his follow-up shot rolling into the lower corner of the net.

The Revolution are now two points ahead of both DC United and Orlando, who are seventh and eighth in the standings, respectively.

However, both teams have played one fewer game than the Revolution.