Ignacio Piatti ended a five-game scoring drought with two goals as the Montreal Impact downed slumping Orlando City 3-0 on a rainy Wednesday night.
Montreal (5-11-0) also benefited from an own goal while handing Orlando (6-8-1) a sixth straight defeat. The Impact picked up only their second win in their the last seven games, but their second in a row at home.
It was the first of back to back games between the Eastern Conference clubs, with the rematch June 23 in Orlando.
Piatti, back after sitting out one game with a minor injury, made no mistake from the spot only five minutes in after Sahir Taider was tripped by Cristian Higuita in the penalty area. The foul came amid heavy pressure on the Orlando defence, including a close-range blast from Raheem Edwards that was stopped by Joe Bendik.
Heavy rain through most of the first half didn't prevent Orlando from creating some close calls, with Higuita just missing the left post with a low shot in the 35th and Dom Dywer firing just over the bar on a free kick from 20 yards in the 44th.
The Impact had the pressure on again after the intermission and it produced a second goal as Piatti fed Daniel Lovitz on the left side for a cross that went in off sliding defender Amro Tarek for an own goal in the 55th.
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