Didier Drogba makes Impact debut in 1-0 loss to Union
The sellout crowd of over 20,000 – the first sellout at Stade Saputo in close to two years – roared when Didier Drogba stepped on the pitch for the first time as a member of the Montreal Impact.
Drogba entered Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Union as a substitute in the 59th minute with the score tied 0-0. A free kick attempt in the 90th minute that just skimmed the wrong side of the right post was as close as he would get to scoring a goal, and Sebastian Le Toux's 78th minute strike gave the Union a 1-0 win to ensure Drogba's debut wouldn't end in celebration.
The 37-year-old former Chelsea star signed an 18-month deal with Montreal on July 31.
Impact head coach Frank Klopas confirmed after the game that Drogba will make the trip to Vancouver for the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final against the Whitecaps next Wednesday but is not expected to start. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw. The winner earns a spot in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.
Major League Soccer's biggest names – most notably Thierry Henry during his time with the New York Red Bulls – have not played at B.C. Place in the past due to the field turf and the long flight.
The Voyageurs Cup is already a favourite of Canadian soccer fans. Adding Drogba to the mix in some capacity makes it an even more enticing encouter.
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Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Email him at israelfehr@yahoo.ca or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr
