MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact defeated the Chicago Fire 4-3 at Stade Saputo, Saturday night, in front of a second consecutive sellout crowd of 20,801 spectators, as Didier Drogba scored a hat trick in his first MLS start.
"We started playing a little better towards the end of the first half,” said head coach Mauro Biello. "After that, we gained in confidence and we were able to move the ball around more. Didier felt good and was ready mentally. He not only scored three goals, but he helped defensively. He’s come here to win and he showed that tonight.”
"We are going to win as a team, even though Didier was fantastic tonight,’' said Nigel Reo-Coker. "We played well collectively. It’s about team spirit and tonight was a great team effort."
The Impact’s Designated Player didn’t waste any time opening his MLS account, scoring his first on the night in the 28th minute after he converted a cross by fellow former EPLer Nigel Reo-Coker. The Englishman’s lateral ball into the box found Drogba, who used his size to beat his defender and fired a right-footer past goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
"It’s a new start with a new coach, but it’s the same season," explained Drogba."We were missing some players tonight, but guys stepped up and showed they could contribute to the team. We showed some good things in coming back to win this game."
The Fire tied things up when Jeff Larentowicz scored on a penalty in the 36th minute, following a foul committed in the box by an Impact defender.
The Impact took back the lead in the 42nd minute when Wandrille Lefèvre headed the ball past Johnson at the second post, off of a Marco Donadel corner kick - his fourth assist of the season
Fire forward Gilberto evened things up again two minutes later, scoring his first of the season when he redirected a pass by Kennedy Igboananike.
Chicago then took the lead for the first time in the game in the 59th minute with an Igboananike header from a Harry Shipp corner kick.
Drogba then took charge and scored both the equalizer and the game-winner. The first came when Ignacio Piatti played him in behind the defence with a quick free kick. The Ivoarian legend fired it top shelf in the 61st minute. Four minutes later, he headed one home when he pounced on a rebound after Johnson made a spectacular initial save.
Following this game, the Impact will embark on a West Coast road trip, starting in LA against the Galaxy on Saturday, September 12, at 10:30pm ET (TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690), followed by San Jose on Wednesday, September 16, at 10:30pm against the Earthquakes (TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690). The Impact will play its next home game on Saturday, September 19, at 8pm against New England.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK -Evan Bush; D-Nigel Reo-Coker, Wandrille Lefèvre, Donny Toia, Maxim Tissot; M-Marco Donadel, Calum Mallace, Andrés Romero (Eric Alexander 75’), Ignacio Piatti (Dilly Duka 70’), Justin Mapp (Dominic Oduro 87’); F-Didier Drogba
Unused subs: GK - Eric Kronberg; D-Hassoun Camara; M-Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé; F-Anthony Jackson-Hamel
CHI – GK -Sean Johnson; D-Lovel Palmer, Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz, Greg Cochrane; M-Patrick Nyarko (Jason Johnson 83’), Razvan Cocis (Matt Watson 75’), Michael Stephens, Harry Shipp; F-Kennedy Igboananike, Gilberto (Mike Magee 75’)
Unused subs: GK -Jon Busch; D-Ty Harden, Patrick Doody; M-Chris Ritter
GOALS
MTL – Drogba (Reo-Coker) 27’
CHI – Larentowicz (PK) 36’
MTL – Lefèvre (Donadel) 42’
CHI – Gilberto (Igboananike) 44’
CHI – Igboananike (Shipp) 59’
MTL – Drogba (Piatti) 61’
MTL – Drogba (Mallace) 65’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Tissot 24’
CHI – Gilberto 54’
MTL – Bush 86’
