Hard Impact: Montreal Impact 5-1 Philadelphia Union

Following a dramatic 2-goal comeback against New York Red Bulls, the Philadelphia Union went up north and dropped a turd of a performance against the Montreal Impact, falling 5-1 at Stade Saputo in a match that was never particularly inspiring for the Union.

The Impact scored early, scored frequently, and never let the Union off the hook. In what would become a theme throughout the evening, the first goal came about because the Union defense left Didier Drogba unmarked. In what would also become a common theme throughout the evening, Drogba converted the chances into goals. The first one came in the 19th minute. Ambroise Oyongo was the one who sent in the cross, and an open Drogba had no problem scoring past a helpless Andre Blake to put the Impact up 1-0.

The second Impact goal came off a Philadelphia Union turnover. Ignacio Piatti fired a shot that Blake did well to save, however an unfortunate rebound found its way to Drogba. Drogba, once again unmarked by the Union defense, had little issue with putting away the finish. Blake was upset with the job of the Union defense, but little could be done at that point. Unmarked Drogba had scored yet again, and the Impact had a 2-0 lead as half time approached.

The third goal for the Impact came five minutes into the second half. Piatti played a fantastic through ball splitting Ray Gaddis and Richie Marquez giving Drogba an opportunity 1-on-1 with Blake. Drogba took a touch at the top of the box and with that touch he fired the ball past Blake and into the back of the net to put the Impact up 3-0 with 40 minutes to go in the match. Despite the Union’s come from behind draw against the Red Bulls, going down 3-0 provided a hill much too large to climb.

The Union offense throughout most of the night ranged from ineffective to non-existent. Rare were so much as mentions of Union attacking players in the match. But in the 72nd minute, the Union did find the back of the net. Walter Restrepo put in a cross to Chris Pontius at the back post, which Pontius appeared to intend to direct to C.J. Sapong in front of goal, however the ball went in the net instead. Regardless of Pontius’s true intentions, he was satisfied with the result, even though it did nothing to alter the outcome of the match.

Though Didier Drogba had finished scoring for the evening, the Impact tacked on two more in the closing minutes to make the game 5-1. The first goal came from Piatti who, with plenty of time to settle the ball, scored from the top of the box off a cross from Oyungo. And putting things to rest once and for all, Patrice Bernier played a through ball Matteo Mancosu who fired a shot that deflected off the hands of a diving Blake and into he net.

All in all, it was an ugly and regrettable performance for the Union who will hope to turn things around next Sunday in a home match against Real Salt Lake.