MLS Roundup: Didier Drogba debuts in Impact loss to Union
Montréal Impact 0 -- Philadelphia Union 1
Sebastien Le Toux ruined Didier Drogba’s Impact debut with his late winner at Stade Saputo. The game lacked much of a spark until Drogba replaced Dilly Duka to make his first MLS appearance just before the hour. Montréal enjoyed more of the ball in the second half, but the Union ultimately snatched the winner when the in-form Le Toux poked home from close range inside the final quarter of an hour. Drogba fired wide from a late free kick as the Impact slumped to a second consecutive home defeat.
Toronto FC 5 -- Orlando City 0
TFC scored four times after the interval to dispatch nine-man Orlando City at BMO Field. The two sides remained on level terms until Rafael Ramos received a red card for lunging into Justin Morrow in the middle third in the 36th minute. Marco Delgado staked the Reds to the lead by rounding off Michael Bradley’s square pass seconds into the second half. Sebastian Giovinco smashed a free kick off the inside of the far post to double the advantage just before the hour. Morrow added a third goal after 71 minutes to place the Reds in firm control. Adrian Winter fouled Robbie Findley inside the penalty area inside the final 10 minutes and procured his second booking in the process. Second-half substitute Jozy Altidore converted from the spot for the fourth and then snatched a second to complete the rout.
Columbus Crew SC 3 -- Sporting Kansas City 2
Crew SC produced a late comeback to quell Sporting at MAPFRE Stadium. Sporting claimed the lead after Marcel de Jong pounced inside the opening 15 minutes, but Columbus responded through Ethan Finlay 10 minutes before halftime. Graham Zusi restored the Sporting lead just after the hour and set the stage for a grandstand finish. Crew SC equalized through Tony Tchani 10 minutes from time and took all three points when Jack McInerney poked home a rebound from close range two minutes from time.
D.C. United 0 -- San Jose Earthquakes 2
San Jose secured a second impressive away victory in four days with a triumph at RFK Stadium. Chris Wondolowski gave the Earthquakes a precious foothold when he turned inside the far post after just four minutes. United saw an equalizer correctly ruled out for handling and then watched the Earthquakes grab a second shortly after the break. Quincy Amarikwa did most of the heavy lifting with a determined run through midfield before Shea Salinas cut inside and slotted home. The victory moved the Earthquakes level on points with Seattle for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1 -- FC Dallas 0
Cristian Techera summoned a moment of magic to give the Whitecaps all three points at B.C. Place. FC Dallas enjoyed the better of the play for most of the first half, but Vancouver seized the lead after 32 minutes. Kekuta Manneh created the danger with a diagonal run through the penalty area and slid a ball toward the near post. Techera flicked past debutant goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez with his heel to separate the sides on the night.
Real Salt Lake 2 -- Seattle Sounders 0
RSL leaned on a bright start to place the Sounders on the cusp of slipping out of the playoff places. Javier Morales dispatched the opener from the spot after Roman Torres handled inside the penalty area. Sebastian Jaime doubled the lead inside the first 20 minutes when he beat three static Sounders defenders to nod home Luke Mulholland’s drive off the post. Seattle subsequently hit the post before the halftime whistle, but the Sounders flailed in their attempts to reduce the deficit and ultimately spiraled to defeat.
Chicago Fire 0 -- Colorado Rapids 1
Dillon Serna decided this meeting between wooden spoon chasers with a first-minute goal at Toyota Park. The move started when Kevin Doyle clipped a ball over the top for Gabriel Torres to chase on the right. Torres squared through the penalty area for the unmarked Serna to tuck home at the back post. Chicago later hit the post through Kennedy Igboananike and Gilberto, but the Fire failed to muster an equalizer and succumbed to defeat.
