Montreal Impact vs. Chicago Fire – Game Recap
Montreal Impact’s designated player made his first start at Major League Soccer, and the Chelsea legend did not waste time to stun with a hat-trick debut.
Although Chicago Fire have had their fair share of struggles recently at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference, Fire notably did reply with an attacking game of its own, and even led the match at some point.
Still, three goals by Chicago as well as seven impressive saves by their keeper Sean Johnson still couldn’t keep Dider Drogba’s grand entry to Major League Soccer.
Although creating an opportunity less than one minute into the game, Drogba had to wait until later in the first half for his MLS debut goal. Receiving a pass from the right from Nigel Reo-Coker into the box, Drogba collides back to back with Chicago’s Eric Gehrig and while keeping his composure turns around with the ball towards the goal to shoot past Johnson from close range (27’).
Montreal Impact 1 – 0 Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire got their chance to equalize, shortly thereafter, when Montreal’s Maxim Tissot tripped Fire’s Harry Shipp inside the box. Fire’s Jeff Larentowicz then converted the penalty kick (36’).
Montreal Impact 1 – 1 Chicago Fire
Montreal wasn’t long to reply, with Impact’s Marco Donald taking a corner kick, which sailed past Fire’s keeper Sean Johnson to find Wandrille Lefevre in the far right. Lefevre headed it in (42’).
Montreal Impact 2 – 1 Chicago Fire
Visitors Chicago were determined not to go down without a fight, and managed to equalize within the first half still. Fire’s Kennedy Igboananike passes across from the right side of the box, to find Gilberto in the center. Gilberto scores from in front of the 6-yard line (44’).
Montreal Impact 2 – 2 Chicago Fire
There were hopes for Chicago early in the second half, when the Fire replied with their own corner-kick conversion to goal. This time Harry Shipp taking the corner kick, to find Igboananike who headed in a goal to give Chicago the lead (59’).
Montreal Impact 2 – 3 Chicago Fire
Still, this night was all about Didier Drogba’s MLS starting debut. And a few minutes later Ignacio Piatti took a quick free kick and sent it to Drogba who shot to the top right corner from the left edge of the box (61’).
Montreal Impact 3 – 3 Chicago Fire
Drogba’s spectacle came a few minutes later, with a cross from Calum Mallace that put Drogba right in front of Johnson. Didier kicked a volley that again was saved by Fire’s keeper from zero range. However as the ball bounced back, Drogba headed it in to give Montreal the win (64’).
Montreal Impact 4 – 3 Chicago Fire
Both teams are taking to the road next week, with Chicago Fire travelling to New York Red Bulls on Friday, September 11th, and Montreal Impact playing at LA Galaxy on Saturday, September 12th.
