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Drogba Scores Hat-Trick in First MLS Start

All you need is Didier Drogba, Nigel Reo-Coker, uh...

Wearing a familiar blue shirt, Didier Drogba scores a hat-trick that sends the home fans into delirium and secures his side a crucial victory. But wait — something's wrong here. Closer inspection reveals that this is not Stamford Bridge. A lot of people seem to be speaking French, even for South West London, and is that Nigel Reo-Coker wandering about on the wing looking strangely effective?

This is indeed a disturbing universe.

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Okay, so it's not some Twilight Zone alternate reality where up is down and England are clinically successful at major international tournaments; it's Canada, where Drogba has relocated following his second spell at Chelsea last term. The 37-year-old former Ivory Coast captain has rocked up at Montreal Impact, perhaps tempted by the city's French-speaking population (because London doesn't have that, does it) and a nice big paycheque.

But given the performance he put in during his first MLS start for the club, he's also there to score goals. Drogba bagged a hat-trick against Chicago Fire, a side he turned down to join the Impact.

His first strike saw Drogba brush off two defenders and finish clinically after the ball was whipped into the area by the sort-of-familiar boot of Reo-Coker. That's right, we now live in a world where former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is providing the service for Didier Drogba. That put Monreal 1-0.

Shortly before the hour mark Chicago went 3-2 up, only for Drogba to make it 3-3 with a powerful shot into the top-right of the net just minutes later. He then won the game with a 65th minute rebound header, after his initial strike was blocked by the keeper.

So what's going on here: is Drogba still such a fine player that he can score hat-tricks whenever he fancies it? Or is a 37-year-old (who most agreed was well past his best last year) turning up in MLS and scoring for fun an indictment on the league? Or should we just shut up about the quality of the division and simply enjoy watching a great player find the net, even if it is alongside Nigel Reo-Coker? That one. We'll go with that one.