By Canadian Press

Drogba breaks mini-drought with hat trick to lift Impact over Union 5-1

Jul 23, 2016 | 6:35 PM

MONTREAL — It was only a matter of time before Didier Drogba broke out with some goals, but the Montreal Impact star was quick to deflect credit to his teammates, starting with midfielder Ignacio Piatti.

Drogba, who had not scored since May 28, posted a hat trick as the Impact defeated the tired Philadephia Union 5-1 before a delirious sellout crowd of 20,801 at Saputo Stadium on Saturday night.

Piatti had a hand in all three goals and added one himself late in the game for Montreal (7-5-8), which rebounded from a 3-1 loss at home last week against New York City and improved its home record to 5-2-3.

“It was a big performance from Nacho (Piatti),” said Drogba, before turning sombre as he mentioned that he had an aunt die in recent days that had his entire family in mourning.

“It’s been a difficult last few weeks for me, so I dedicate this to my aunt and my family,” the 38-year-old said. “There are things that are a lot more important in life than a soccer game.

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“But I’m very pleased with my game.”

The Ivorian striker, who returned last week after missing three games with a thigh injury, quieted critics who questioned whether the club played better without him in the lineup. Even with the win, Montreal is only 3-3-6 when he plays.

But he showed what he and Piatti can do when both are at the top of their game, with the Argentine giving defences fits and Drogba finding space and blasting the ball home.

“You just sit back and watch it at that point and enjoy it,” said midfielder Calum Mallace. “They’re two amazing players.”

Union coach Jim Curtin said “we got beat by stars. Drogba and Piatti were unstoppable.” But Montreal coach Mauro Biello said his whole team was impressive, especially the spine of the team from central defender Hassoun Camara to the central midfield to Piatti and Drogba.

Piatti, who returned from sitting out a one-game suspension, scored his 12th goal of the season and had two assists. It was the Argentine’s eight goal in his last nine games.

Recent signing Matteo Mancuso, who went in for Drogba in the 79th minute, got his first MLS goal in added time after being sent in on the right side by Patrice Bernier.

Chris Pontius, with his eighth of the year, replied for the Union, who played a third game in eight days, including a 120-minute shootout loss in U.S. Open Cup play on Wednesday. Philadelphia has lost four of its last seven league matches.

Montreal moved to one point behind second-place Philadelphia (8-7-6) in the MLS Eastern Conference with a game in hand.

“It does a lot for us,” said Mallace. “We showed a lot of character.

“To win 5-1 against a team that’s above us in the league is huge for us and hopefully we’ll use it as momentum moving forward.”

Drogba broke a three-game goalless drought in the 19th minute after some impressive play on the left flank, where Ambroise Oyongo passed to Piatti, who back-footed it past a defender to Oyongo for a cross that the onrushing Drogba blasted into an open side.

In the 42nd, Piatti split the defence only to see his shot go off goalie Andre Blake to Drogba alone on the right side of the goal for a tap-in.

Only seven minutes into the second half, Piatti carried the ball through the middle and found Drogba all alone to complete the hat trick with a shot inside the left post. It was Drogba’s eighth in 12 games this season, and his first hat trick since his first start for Montreal last Sept. 6.

Pontius got one back in the 73rd when he headed substitute Walter Restrepo’s high cross at the left post high inside the right post.

In the 87th, Piatti controlled an Oyongo pass at the edge of the 18-yard box and fired in a left-foot shot.

The Union were without midfielder Ilsinho, who sat out a suspension for being sent off in last week’s 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls.

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press