Major League Soccer: Drogba, Gerrard near end as MLS playoffs kick off

The Major League Soccer careers of Didier Drogba and Steven Gerrard could end without either man kicking another ball as their teams head into nerve-wracking sudden-death playoff games starting Wednesday.

Two of the biggest names of the English Premier League's golden era, Liverpool icon Gerrard joined Los Angeles Galaxy in 2015 just a few months before Chelsea legend Drogba headed to Montreal Impact.

However, both Gerrard and Drogba's seasons are hanging by a thread as their respective teams face knockout games this week which could end their campaigns.

The Galaxy face a one-off game against Real Salt Lake at the StubHub Center in Carson on Wednesday, with Gerrard, on the mend from a recent hamstring injury, far from certain to make the matchday squad.

Drogba's Montreal teammates, meanwhilem face an awkward trip to face D.C. United in Washington with the Ivorian striker struggling with a sore back.

Failure of the Galaxy and Montreal to negotiatate their first-round opponents could in all probability spell the end for Gerrard and Drogba.

Gerrard, 36, fueled speculation about his future at the weekend with a social media post interpreted in some quarters as a farewell message to Los Angeles fans.

"Living in Los Angeles and playing for the great Galaxy supporters has been a privilege," Gerrard wrote. "You have made this place feel like home to me. This city and this club will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you." Liverpool return?

Steven Gerrard of the Los Angeles Galaxy, seen during a training session at StubHub Center in Carson, California, in February 2016 (Getty/AFP/File)