Photo by Jean-Yves Ahern/USA TODAY Sports

By RYAN TOLMICH

Didier Drogba made his long-awaited MLS debut Saturday night while also tasting his first MLS defeat.

Led by a late goal from Sebastian Le Toux, the Philadelphia Union played spoiler, ruining Drogba’s Montreal Impact debut with a 1-0 win Saturday night in front of a sold out Stade Saputo

Drogba’s first taste of MLS play began off the bench, as the Ivorian striker entered the game in the 59th minute to replace Dilly Duka.  However, the newest Impact player could only watch as a Union mainstay provided the winning finish 19 minutes later.

Le Toux’s game-winner came in the 79th minute, coming slightly against the overall run of play. After beating his man to the endline, C.J. Sapong’s pass found a way to substitute Eric Ayuk in the center of the box. Firing towards goal, Ayuk’s volley was aimed straight at Le Toux in the six yard box, and the Frenchman deflected a shot past Evan Bush to earn his side all three points.

With the finish, Le Toux claims his fourth finish in five games across all competitions.

In a generally tepid first half, the Impact proved to be the more aggressive of the two sides, testing Union goalkeeper Andre Blake on a series of occasions. Firing six shots to the Union’s two, the Impact kept Blake involved, although the former No. 1 overall pick was never truly troubled on any of the hosts’ chances.

That aggression continued into the second half, with the Impact earning plenty of second half possession. Yet, despite their ability to get into the final third, Blake was rarely troubled, as the Impact struggled to create anything of note in the box, even after Drogba’s introduction.

The Ivorian had his chance to make his presence known in the 89th minute after taking an elbow to the face. With a free kick roughly 30-yards out, Drogba’s shot caught Blake by surprise, but went just over the bar, sealing the Union victory.

With the win, the Union move within one point of the sixth-place Impact, who maintain four games in hand.

The Union return to action on Aug. 29 with a visit from the New England Revolution, while the Impact return that same day for an all-Canadian clash at Toronto FC.