Didier Drogba scores twice as Montreal Impact brush aside D.C. United

The Montreal Impact brushed aside Eastern Conference challengers D.C. United with a Didier Drogba-inspired 2-0 win at Stade Saputo.

Drogba scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season with an absolute rocket of a free kick early in the match, followed by a cheeky little chipped effort soon after.

The 37-year-old Ivorian hit an inch-perfect free kick against the left-hand post in the fifth minute of play, smacking the ball from 28 yards out to give Montreal an early lead and a sixth goal to celebrate.

Then, just five minutes later, the former Chelsea man opted for finesse rather than ferocity, dribbling past Steve Birnbaum with some fancy footwork and breaking free on goal before chipping D.C. 'keeper Bill Hamid in spectacular fashion for goal number seven.

Drogba and Montreal continued to press and look for a third goal while D.C. tried to keep its own playoff hopes alive, too, but neither side could find another goal before the game wrapped up.

With the win, Montreal keeps pace with Toronto FC in the wild-card playoff race with 42 points, to Toronto's 43. D.C. United remained at 45 points, and continued to slide down the standings after their sixth consecutive winless game - opening the door for either Canadian side to jump over or tie them in their next game.