MLS Club de Foot Montreal

Impact Defeats Chicago Fire 4-3 at Stade Saputo

Published on September 6, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club de Foot Montreal News Release


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 9d6bbc239eea120baf7b7a335 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 Lefevre 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.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 6, 2015


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