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Drogba Working Behind the Scenes at World Cup for Rising FC

Does Rising FC need Didier Drogba on the pitch anymore? I’ve been getting that question from fans quite a bit over the last month. Drogba has been at the World Cup in Russia serving as an analyst for the BBC , while Rising FC has gone unbeaten in his absence. It’s the  best of both worlds really. A fresh Drogba for the stretch run and postseason is a positive. The team learning how to play and win without him, bodes very well for next season when Drogba is officially retired from playing.  

It’s my understanding that while Drogba hasn’t been on the field in Phoenix, he’s been helping the team in ways that cannot be measured  in Russia, Drogba has been at events that MLS commissioner Don Garber has attended. Drogba has been in position to advocate with those in the soccer world about the virtues of Phoenix as a soccer market. How much of a difference that will make when it comes to decision time by Garber on expansion remains to be seen, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. As one of the Rising FC owners pointed out to me, “fans have been able to latch on to our other players while Didier is at the World Cup representing the franchise, that’s a positive.”  Good point. 

In my sit-down interview with Drogba back in the Spring, he wasn’t ready to say on camera that this would be his final season, but clearly as the season has progressed, it’s become very apparent that this will be the last year he laces up his boots. Monday the team announced their first annual Charity Soccer Ball for October 12th. The “save the date” had this line attached.

Honoring the distinguished playing career
and final season of Didier Drogba.

When will Drogba be back in the Rising FC  lineup? My educated guess would be late August,but there’s no reason to rush him back on the field. The team is tied for the second best record in the entire USL. They have a showdown with first place Real Monarchs in a couple of weeks in Salt Lake City. Focus on the players that are here, but understand that Drogba can help the franchise even more off of it in their pursuit of MLS this December. 

Media personality Brad Cesmat first rose to fame in Southern California with the launching of "The Mighty 690" all-sports radio station in the late 1980's and early 90's. Brad came to Arizona in 1993 to begin a 10-year run at KTAR Radio followed by nine years at KTVK-TV in Phoenix. Brad is the Founder/ CEO of Sports360AZ.com. His vision of multi platform content marketing through sports began in September of 2011. Cesmat has served on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army for the last 18 years. He and his wife Chris have four children.

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