Advertisement

Drogba, Impact at odds with MLS playoffs just ahead

Jun 8, 2016; Montreal, Ontario, Canada; Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba (11) plays the ball during the first half against the Toronto FC at Stade Saputo. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports (Reuters)

The Montreal Impact’s signing of Didier Drogba last year was hailed as a major coup for the MLS and the franchise. Now it appears they can’t get away from each other fast enough.

Drogba was an instant hit in Montreal last year, scoring 11 goals in 11 matches and taking them to the eastern conference semifinals. This campaign has been nowhere near as winning, starting with last winter’s flirtations with Chelsea, and a rumoured move to Stamford Bridge and a coaching role that went nowhere, on through a season of just 10 goals and 18 MLS starts, and now continuing with Sunday’s playoff-clinching 2-2 draw with Toronto FC in which Drogba didn’t even show up at the club’s Saputo Stadium home ground.

Drogba was initially listed as out with a back injury for the TFC game. But Impact coach Mauro Biello said afterward that the Ivorian’s absence was actually more about team selection.

"I spoke with him (Saturday) and he didn't accept the fact that he would come off the bench and, in the end, he didn't want to be in the 18,” Biello told reporters. “He decided not to play.”

It leaves Biello and the Impact dealing with controversy ahead of Sunday’s season finale at New England. While the Chelsea talk has given way to rumours now of a possible move to Serie A Napoli for the 38-year-old forward, Drogba and the team are left in an awkward situation. Drogba missed the two games prior to Sunday's due to a sore back - but more to the point and perhaps speaking to Biello’s selection notes, the Impact has a better record this season without Drogba in the starting lineup (6-2-3) than with him (5-8-9).

"It's important that things are settled and, in the end, one way or another, that we move forward — that's the message," said Biello of the fallout.

Perhaps the Impact and their star can patch it up. But at this point, with Drogba’s contract expiring at the end of this MLS season, it sure appears that his time in Montreal is over, whether now or in a few weeks when those playoffs are done.