A surreal moment for Valley soccer fans came in April when Didier Drogba, one of the world's best and most popular soccer players, joined United Soccer League club Phoenix Rising as a co-owner.
That feeling was multiplied by a factor of 100 for fans in Scottsdale on Saturday night when Drogba took the field for the first time as a member of the team -- and he did not disappoint in his debut.
The 39-year-old former Chelsea star scored Phoenix Rising's only first-half goal and assisted on the second, to former Chelsea teammate Shaun Wright-Phillips, to guide the home team past Whitecaps FC 2 by a 2-1 margin in front of a standing room only crowd of 7,062.
Didier Drogba scores on debut for Phoenix Rising!
Trademark header!pic.twitter.com/6zK72RMYNC
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) June 11, 2017
.@didierdrogba > @swp29 pic.twitter.com/b2cG5uYbJk
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) June 11, 2017
Goal. Assist Drogba. 2-1 Phoenix Rising. pic.twitter.com/x6RdTQ3wR5
— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleABC15) June 11, 2017
The win improved Phoenix Rising to 5-5 on the season -- but Drogba thinks he'll be even better in future matches. After the game -- and before he was mobbed by autograph seekers -- he said he's still working his way back into game shape.
.@didierdrogba played a role in both of @PhxRisingFC's goals tonight -- and he's not even in peak condition yet. ? pic.twitter.com/rF5g7M00yx
— ABC15 Sports (@abc15sports) June 11, 2017
Think soccer can't thrive in the Valley? This is insane. @PHXRisingFC @didierdrogba pic.twitter.com/M7mry0fY0n
— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleABC15) June 11, 2017
Here are the complete highlights from Saturday's game -- and if you'd like to see Drogba in action, you can buy tickets to Phoenix Rising's next home game here.
HIGHLIGHTS: If you couldn't catch the match tonight, well, now you can. #RisingAsOne pic.twitter.com/rXEFugkgNF
— Phoenix Rising FC (@PHXRisingFC) June 11, 2017
