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The Daily Dirt: Didier Drogba touts MLS difficulty

Drogba cites a familiar reason that makes the North American league so tough.

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Didier Drogba, once one of the most feared forwards on the planet, has some kind words for his current league. After wrapping up his first MLS campaign, the Premier League veteran told Reuters his new league is a "difficult challenge." However, it's not necessarily the level of play that makes MLS difficult.

"It's a different challenge (in MLS)," Drogba told Reuters. "People think it's easy to play there. Believe me, it's more difficult than playing in the Premier League because of the travel.

"You can stay at an airport for three or four hours if you miss your flight, so that is what is really leveling the game."

Drogba certainly isn't the first former European player to complain about traveling across North America. He did offer some more concrete praise for the league, though: "It's a growing league and I think it's going to be one of the most important and decisive leagues in the world in a few years."

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What's happening in The A?

The Hawks return to action Friday night when they travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies. On the injury front, Kent Bazemore is questionable, and Tiago Splitter will be out.