Didier Drogba and reigning MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco each scored hat tricks for the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC respectively.

Chelsea great and former Ivory Coast captain Drogba netted a three-goal haul in Montreal's 5-1 drubbing of the second-placed Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference on Saturday.

Drogba – set to face Arsenal in Thursday's All-Star match – was instrumental for Montreal, scoring twice in the first half before completing his second MLS hat trick seven minutes after the interval.

It took Drogba 19 minutes to break the deadlock from close range and he doubled the lead three minutes prior to halftime courtesy of a rebound.

Drogba then took his season tally to eight league goals with his third of the night in the 52nd minute, guiding the ball into the net after being played in by fellow All-Star Ignacio Piatti.

Chris Pontius pulled a goal back for the Union with 18 minutes remaining, but Piatti and Matteo Mancosu scored late to cap off the rout as the Impact closed to within a point of Philadelphia.

Giovinco was a hat-trick hero for Toronto, which dismantled D.C. United 4-1.

The Italy international forward had gone eight league matches without a goal but that all changed against D.C. in Toronto.

Giovinco scored the first of two stunning free kicks in the 21st minute, only for D.C.'s Jared Jeffrey to equalize three minutes later.

Marky Delgado restored Toronto's lead in the 29th minute before Giovinco curled another set piece past D.C. goalkeeper Travis Worra 10 minutes later.

And Giovinco ensured he took home the match ball when he scored in stoppage time for Toronto, which is fifth in the east.

  It's been few tuff weeks recently and I want to dedicate my goals to my aunt who passed away and to my family. To my mum, no words will ever be enough to describe how much I love you❤️. Stay strong, I'm with you!!!! I also dedicate these goals to Finley this little kid 14 years old fighting a brain tumor and his family. I hope you will like the little video I did for you after the game. I wanna finish this message with a prayer for the world and all these people suffering of a loss. Condolences to all the family in the world. Love and light Ca a été quelques semaines difficiles récemment et je tiens à dédier mes buts à ma tante qui est décédée et à ma famille. À ma mère, aucuns mots ne sera jamais suffisant pour décrire combien je t’aime you❤️. Restes forte,je suis avec toi !!! Je dédie également ces 3 buts à Finley ce gamin de 14 ans qui lutte contre une tumeur au cerveau ainsi qu'à sa famille. Finley, j'espère que tu aimeras la petite vidéo faite pour toi après le match😉 Je voudrais terminer ce message par une prière pour le Monde et toutes ces personnes souffrant d’une perte. Que la terre soit légère pour tous ceux qui nous on quittés et condoléances à toute les familles de ce Monde. Love And Light DD11 A photo posted by didierdrogba (@didierdrogba) on Jul 23, 2016 at 8:25pm PDT

The LA Galaxy got the better of defending the MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers 2-1 for a sixth league match without defeat thanks to quickfire goals from Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes.

The Galaxy are third behind FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference.

Colorado - unbeaten in 15 league games - and league leader FC Dallas played out a 1-1 draw.

Orlando City overturned a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at the Columbus Crew, the New England Revolution edged the lowly Chicago Fire 1-0, while the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Houston Dynamo played out a scoreless stalemate.