COMMERCE CITY, Colorado - The Montreal Impact shut out the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on Saturday, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Striker Didier Drogba scored the game-winning goal with his ninth of the season. The win puts the Impact four points up on Orlando for the final playoff spot with two games remaining.
Drogba scored on another spectacular free kick goal in the 15th minute. The Ivorian curled the free kick around the outside of the wall and just inside the short post, leaving no chance for Rapids keeper Zac MacMath.
“We grinded this one out. It was not pretty and it was not our best performance, but it’s three points on the road,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “I can only applaud my team because it was a third game this week and we traveled a lot. Fatigue and altitudes were factors in this game. It’s quite remarkable that we held on.”
"It’s very difficult to play here," said Drogba. "It’s tough, but we dealt quite well with the altitude. We all worked hard to secure the result."
Ignacio Piatti, playing his first game in three weeks, came close to doubling IMFC’s lead when he attempted a chip from long distance that MacMath dove to push over the bar in the 25th minute.
Then the Argentine set up Maxim Tissot, whose left footed shot from the left side of the box was saved in the 51st minute.
Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush made three saves to conserve the shutout, his 8th of the season.
He dove to his right to stop a Dillon Powers shot from distance in the 55th minute and made a superb game saver in the final moments of stoppage time on midfielder Lucas Pittinari.
"We looked like a tired team, but that was understandable with it being a third game in a week and playing in altitude," said Evan Bush. "We did what we needed to do. It was a good moment for our team."
The Impact will play its final road game of the season against the New England Revolution, on Saturday October 17, at 7:30pm EDT (RDS, TSN, CJAD 800). IMFC will conclude its regular season at Stade Saputo on October 25, at 5pm EDT (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN 690 Radio), against rivals Toronto FC.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Hassoun Camara, Nigel Reo-Coker; M-Patrice Bernier, Calum Mallace, Maxim Tissot (Dominic Oduro 65’), Ignacio Piatti, Andrés Romero (Dilly Duka 15’); F-Didier Drogba (Eric Alexander 90+2’)
Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Victor Cabrera; F-Romario Williams
COL – GK-Zac MacMath; D-Marlon Hairston, Drew Moor, Axel Sjoberg, Sean St. Ledger; M-Sam Cronin (Joseph Greenspan 85’), Lucas Pittinari, Dillon Powers; F-Dominique Badji, Juan Ramirez (Vicente Sanchez 72’), Luis Solignac
Subs not used: GK-Clint Irwin; D-Bobby Burling; M-Nick Labrocca, Jared Watts, Marcelo Sarvas
GOAL
MTL – Drogba 15’
CAUTIONS
COL – Powers 14’
COL – Ramirez 37’
MTL – Ciman 43’
