One player stole the show this week for the Canadian MLS clubs. The Montreal Impact welcomed the Chicago Fire to Saputo Stadium on Saturday night and newly acquired striker Didier Drogba collected a hat trick in his first start.
On the other hand, Toronto FC fell behind early against the Sounders, while the Vancouver Whitecaps were idle this weekend. The Canadian men’s national team also played Belize on Friday night at BMO Field in Toronto in a World Cup qualifier.
Montreal Impact 4-3 Chicago Fire
Impact striker Didier Drogba scored three goals, including the game winner, against the MLS side that initially lured him over to North America before he was acquired by Montreal.
Drogba opened the scoring in the 27th minute, securing his first goal as a member of the Impact. Drogba showed great control as he took a cross from midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, overpowered the Chicago defenders and tucked the ball into the net.
In the 35th minute, Chicago midfielder Harry Shipp was taken down in the Montreal box, giving his side a chance to level the match. One minute later, midfielder Jeff Larentowicz stepped up to take the penalty kick and he confidently put the ball in on the left side to tie the game up.
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In the 42nd minute, Montreal would regain its lead as defender Wandrille Lefevre would put a cross from Marco Donadel in with authority. However, two minutes later, forward Gilberto would finish off a pass from forward Kennedy Igboananike to level the score before half.
Igboananike would give the Fire the lead for the first time in the match in the 59th minute with a header off a corner kick from Shipp.
But then it was Drogba’s time. Two minutes later, Drogba would score a quick one to get his side back into the match, sending the elated Montreal supporters into a frenzy in the process.
Four minutes after scoring the equalizer, Drogba would again score to give Montreal the lead. After his initial shot was saved by Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson, Drogba stepped up and sent the rebound in with a header.
That goal was enough to give the Impact the win in the club’s first game since the firing of former head coach Frank Klopas.
The Impact travel to the City of Angels next to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 12.
Toronto FC 1-2 Seattle Sounders FC
Toronto FC made the trip west to Seattle without the likes of superstar Sebastian Giovinco, who is out for a few weeks with a adductor muscle injury.
Things started off poorly for Toronto as Sounders forwards Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins combined to give Seattle the early lead just six minutes into the contest. Dempsey sent a brilliant lob over the heads of Toronto’s defenders and right to Martins who finished the play by beating Toronto goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
The dynamic duo of Martins and Dempsey were all over Toronto in this match, connecting numerous times with dangerous chances. But it would be Toronto who would grab a goal back in the 59th minute as defender Ashtone Morgan sent a ball into the box for fellow defender Eriq Zavaleta, who finished off the play with a header to score his first for Toronto.
However, Martins and Dempsey weren’t done yet. The forwards would continue to combine for chances in the Toronto zone before the two finally scored again. This time, Martins would break through the Toronto defence for a shot that Konopka heroically turned away, but Dempsey was there to pot the rebound in to give Seattle the lead in the 77th minute.
Despite Konopka making seven impressive saves on the night, Toronto would be unable to reward the ‘keeper with another goal, as Seattle won this one 2-1.
Toronto FC return home to face the New England Revolution on Sept. 13 at BMO Field.
Canada 3-0 Belize
Canada battled Belize in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night with a disappointing Gold Cup run still fresh on many minds. A lack of goals from Canada left the side looking for answers after being eliminated in the early stages of the North American competition a few months back.
Canada looked to change that on Friday at BMO Field in Toronto and the Canadians did just that as forward Tosaint Ricketts netted a brace and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson scored a third goal for Canada. Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert picked up an assist on Hutchinson’s goal, as Canada looked confident in a 3-0 win.
The Canadians will face Belize in Belmopan, Belize on Tuesday in the second leg.