Drogba dedicates Phoenix Rising debut goal to Cheick Tiote

Didier Drogba scored on his Phoenix Rising debut and dedicated the win to his former Ivory Coast team-mate Cheick Tiote, who died on Monday aged 30.

Former Chelsea striker Drogba got the 40th-minute opener as the American club he captains and co-owns beat Whitecaps FC II 2-1.

Ex-Newcastle midfielder Tiote died after collapsing in training in China.

“I want to want dedicate this to Cheick Tiote who passed away doing what he loved,” Drogba, 39, wrote on Instagram.

New chapter, new Team, new friends, the game is still beautiful @phxrisingfc I wanna dedicate this win to @tiote_official who passed away few days ago while doing what he loved, playing football. My thoughts and condolences to his family ???? Premier but dans cette nouvelle aventure avec un goût spécial, je dédis ce but et cette victoire à un de nos plus vaillant éléphant Champion d'Afrique @tiote_official à jamais dans nos cœurs Champion @tiote_official ? Fortes pensées à toute la famille et à toute la Côte d'Ivoire et l'Afrique qui pleure un des leurs.

A post shared by didierdrogba (@didierdrogba) on Jun 10, 2017 at 11:45pm PDT

“My thoughts and condolences go out to his family, the Ivory Coast and the whole of Africa, mourning the passing of one of their own.”

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Previously known as Arizona United, Phoenix hope to become one of four planned expansion teams in the MLS over the next three years.

They are in their fourth season in the Western Conference of the United Soccer League, which features several MLS reserve sides.

Old boys back at it @swp29 @ChelseaFC @PHXRisingFC ??#firstgame #rising pic.twitter.com/1P31C0Pa5G

— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) June 11, 2017

Drogba, who had not played since leaving MLS club Montreal Impact in November, also set up former England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, 35, for a 77th-minute winner.

Ivory Coast’s record goalscorer hit 157 goals in 341 appearances during his first spell at Chelsea from 2004 to 2012, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.

.@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

Following moves to Shanghai Shenhua in China and Turkish side Galatasaray, he returned to the Blues for the 2014-15 season, scoring seven goals in 40 appearances, helping Jose Mourinho’s side to another league title, before 18 months with Montreal.