NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Club de Foot Montreal

Impact Falls 1-0 to Philadelphia Union

August 23, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club de Foot Montreal News Release


MONTREAL - The Philadelphia Union spoiled Didier Drogba's debut Saturday night, escaping with a 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo in front of the first sellout crowd of the season.

"We knew they were going to be a team that would sit back and counter," said head coach Frank Klopas. "They are a good team in transition and we weren't sharp in the first half. In the end, we tried to push the game as much as we could, and they scored so it was disappointing, especially with the great crowd tonight."

The Union buried one of its two shots on goal, after being dominated by the Impact 16-7 in total shots, late in the second half, when Eric Ayuk put one towards goal that was redirected far post by fellow midfielder Sebastien Le Toux.

"It's frustrating to lose a game like this," said Anthony Jackson-Hamel. "When you're home, you can't afford to lose these types of games. We have to regroup quickly because we have the Canadian Championship on Wednesday."

"The last two games are frustrating 1-0 losses with fluky goals and the inability to find one of our own," said keeper Evan Bush. "We need to have a bigger sense of urgency when teams come here and sit back as it is a tough place to play."

Despite the loss, the night marked two special occasions for the home side as the Ivorian legend made his historic Impact debut to a raucous ovation in the 59th minute, while midfielder Justin Mapp came on in the 69th minute to become the youngest player in MLS history to reach 300 games played.

An early chance was created by Oduro five minutes in when he used his speed to beat his defender, but his shot rolled just wide far post. Fifteen minutes later, midfielder Calum Mallace played a short ball in to Dilly Duka and he fired a shot that was scooped up by the keeper.

Johan Venegas came close to scoring his first career MLS goal in the 28th minute as he watched his header go just wide after he got on the end of a Donny Toia cross. The Costa Rican then hit a bicycle kick in the second half that went off the cross bar.

Drogba came within inches of opening his MLS account when his free kick in the 90th minute curled just outside the far post.

Check out the Club de Foot Montreal Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from August 23, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central