Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba ended his remarkable soccer career in defeat as Phoenix Rising lost to Louisville City in the USL Cup final.
Drogba led out the Rising – the team he part owns – for his swansong in the final of U.S. football’s second tier.
However, a second-half goal from Louisville’s Luke Spencer meant the Ivorian did not get to bow out with one last title.
The defeat marks the end of Drogba’s trophy-filled career, which was topped by scoring the equalising goal and deciding penalty in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League triumph.
He also won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and a Turkish Super Lig crown.
Drogba announced his plans to retire back in March, calling an end to a career that has also seen spells at Le Mans, Marseille, Shanghai Shenhua, Galatasaray and the Montreal Impact.
He may have turned 40 but Drogba scored three goals in three matches to help lead Phoenix to the final.
His work on the pitch may be done, but he still has plans to try and secure the club’s MLS expansion bid.
