MONTREAL, Quebec (Sept. 5, 2015) – The Chicago Fire (7-14-6, 27 points) fell on the road to the Montreal Impact (9-11-4, 31 points) on Saturday evening. Gilberto scored his first goal in a Fire shirt and Kennedy Igboananike tallied a goal and an assist but the Impact emerged the victors of a 4-3 match.
With five players away on international duty, Yallop made three changes to the side that defeated the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 26 and earned a road point against Orlando City SC on Aug. 29, inserting Greg Cochrane, Lovel Palmer and Harry Shipp into the Starting XI.
Match Highlights | Match Stats & OPTA Chalkboard
The home side opened scoring in the 27th minute when Didier Drogba latched on to a cross from Nigel Reo-Coker on the left flank and poked it home for his first MLS goal.
The Fire equalized soon after in the 35th minute when Patrick Nyarko threaded a pass through to Harry Shipp in the penalty area. The Homegrown midfielder slalomed through the box before he was dragged down by an Impact defender. Captain Jeff Larentowicz took the ensuing penalty kick and cooly placed his shot to Impact ‘keeper Evan Bush’s right for his fifth goal of the season.
Montreal got their second of the half in the 42nd minute when Wandrille Lefevre connected to the end of a Marco Donadel corner and headed it home.
Postmatch Quotes
Two minutes later the Fire again fought back from the deficit. Controlling the ball in the middle of the park, Nyarko found Igboananike just inside the penalty area. The Nigerian striker took a few touches and with a low, driven cross played Gilberto at the top of the six-yard-box. With one right-footed touch, the Brazilian Designated Player calmly redirected it past Bush for his first goal in a Fire shirt.
The Fire took the lead in the 59th minute when Igboananike got on the end of a Shipp corner and snapped his header just out of Bush’s reach.
Drogba nabbed the equalizer and the lead with goals in the 61st and 65th minutes as the Impact took the spoils on the evening.
The Men in Red return to action on Friday, Sept. 11 on the road at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ when they take on the Red Bulls at 6 p.m. CT (UniMas/ESPN Deportes 97.5 FM).
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MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (7-14-6, 27 pts.) 3:4 Montreal Impact (9-11-4, 31 pts.)
Sept. 5, 2015 – Stade Saputo
Attendance: 20,801
Scoring Summary:
MTL – Didier Drogba (Nigel Reo-Coker) 27’
CHI – Jeff Larentowicz (penalty kick) 36’
MTL – Wandrille Lefevre (Marco Donadel) 42’
CHI – Gilberto (Kenney Igboananike) 44’
CHI – Kennedy Igboananike (Harry Shipp) 59’
MTL – Didier Drogba (Ignacio Piatti) 61’
MTL – Didier Drogba (unassisted) 65’
Misconduct Summary:
MTL – Maxim Tissot (caution) 24’
CHI – Gilberto (caution) 54’
MTL – Evan Bush (caution) 86’
Chicago Fire: Sean Johnson; Lovel Palmer, Eric Gehrig, Jeff Larentowicz ©, Greg Cochrane; Patrick Nyarko (Jason Johnson 83’), Michael Stephens, Razvan Cocis (Matthew Watson 75’), Harry Shipp; Kennedy Igboananike, Gilberto (Mike Magee 75’)
Subs not used: Jon Busch; Patrick Doody, Ty Harden; Chris Ritter
Shots: 12; Shots On Goal: 7; Saves: 7; Fouls: 11; Corner Kicks: 8; Offsides: 1.
Montreal Impact: Evan Bush; Nigel Reo-Coker, Wandrille Lefevre, Donny Toia, Maxim Tissot; Justin Mapp (Dominic Oduro 87’), Marco Donadel, Ignacio Piatti © (Dilly Duka 70’), Calum Mallace, Andres Romero (Eric Alexander 75’); Didier Drogba
Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Hassoun Camara, Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Anthony Jackson-Hamel
Shots: 21; Shots On Goal: 11; Saves: 4; Fouls: 11; Corner Kicks: 10; Offsides: 4.
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Referee’s Assistants: Claudio Badea, Oscar Mithcell-Carvalho
Fourth Official: Mathieu Bordeau
