Didier Drogba Shines In First MLS Start
Chelsea FC legend made his full debut for his new MLS side last night and did what he has always done at every club, score goals in bunches. The Ivorian striker gave the fans at the Stade Saputo a taste of what the fans at Stamford Bridge witnessed for the better part of a decade and scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win for the Montreal Impact.
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The first goal came from the end of a Nigel Reo-Coker cross as Drogba took the ball off his chest, turned, shook off the Chicago Fire defender like he did to Jamie Carragher so many times, and poked the ball past keeper Sean Johnson with his right foot. It was a display of his technical ability and brute strength in one picture perfect goal.
Drogba’s second goal came after the Fire had gone up 3-2 on the night and Montreal were chasing an equalizer. They took a quick free kick to the striker and he had time in the box to blast it into top right corner with his left foot. So if you are keeping track that is one each with his left and right foot.
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The third goal and eventual match-winner came from another Impact move up the right wing. Calum Mallace crossed in to the Fire area and a wide-open Drogba volleyed it towards goal but it was saved by Johnson.
The ball deflected straight up in the air with Johnson having fallen into his own goal and Drogba headed it into an empty net. That put the finishing touches on what they call a “perfect hat-trick” as he scored a goal with his left foot, right foot, and his head.
After a tough debut where he was noted more for his theatrics than his play, this was precisely what the Impact hoped for when they brought in the legendary striker. Even at 37 years of age Didier Drogba will be a handful for MLS defenders because of his strength and goal-scoring instincts. He has used and abused world-class defenders like Carles Puyol and whoever was lining up for Arsenal so one can only imagine what he will do to the young American defenders.
The win was also important for Montreal’s playoff hopes as it vaulted them back into the final playoff spot in the Eastern conference. The Impact will now head west to face the LA Galaxy and the resurgent San Jose Earthquakes in hopes of securing a place in the MLS Playoffs.
For full highlights of the match, including Didier Drogba’s hat-tricks, check out the video below:
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