I remember the first time I saw Danny Dichio roaming the pitch at BMO Field...the flowing robes, the grace, bald...striking. Some fool sitting next to me with his 3/4-guzzled Carlsberg and faded Van Halen jean jacket yelled out that exact quote above, trying to get inside the dome of the 6'3" behemoth of a striker. But Danny Dichio was beyond the childish heckling. He just continued to lumber around the offensive third of the pitch, poised to strike if he ever got close to the ball.
Maybe it was Daniel Salvatore Dichio's Italian heritage that this particular "fan" wasn't fond of (I'd overheard him ripping the Italian National Team's style of play). Or maybe it's because good ole #9 wasn't the fleetest of foot. Sure, Dichio wasn't the fastest player in Red. He sometimes stumbled around and looked a bit...OK...awkward. But Dichio was a staple in the very fabric of Toronto FC; the man whose memory will forever live on as the real fans belt out the Dichio Song in the 23rd minute of every game, signifying that glorious moment when he scored the first goal in club history back in May of 2007.
Salvatore announced his retirement yesterday. And for this, the folk here at EC are sad.
But I'll always remember a year after that encounter with the irate Van Halen loving blasphemer, when we crossed paths again. We shared a couple of Sleemans, and reminisced about the prior year. That ill fated game of a year ago, a home shutout to Chicago which had the supporters (and this particular gent) very frustrated, was a distant memory. But other than his fascination with Sammy Hagar and Shit Mayor, he seemed like a swell guy. We were mutually excited for the upcoming match against Colorado, where we once again shared seats behind the goal next to the "supporters section." Our beloved Reds were undefeated at home at that point, with 14 out of a possible 18 points.
I failed to mention to this guy that I'd remembered him for those Dichio slurs. I just let it go. Knowing Dichio was getting the start this match, I knew Van Halen Boy would soon be eating his words. And in the 37th minute, the world class striker that is Danny Dichio made him do just that!!! A most glorious strike from the top of the Colorado 18, one that only a player of Dichio's caliber could provide, gave our Beloved Reds the lead for good. After two more Rohan Ricketts goals, TFC got a well deserved 3 points with a 3-1 victory.
As for my Sleemens loving friend, he could not stop singing the praises of Mr. Dichio the rest of the day. Bravo, Danny. Bravo, my friend.
From Dichio's website, and Twitter feed Wednesday:
"RETIRED. Sad day,but i am thankful for all the great memories this beautiful game has given me. Excited by my new venture with TFC as well."(tears)
3 comments:
Great is a man who can admit the errors of his ways.
However, the jury is still out on whether it was Dichio who soared, or it was the rest of his team that pissed its pants and made him look like a bit of a player in the process.
let it be said, though, that there is no retraction whatsoever on the "awkward" part.
and, hey, given the amount of playing time he was getting, maybe i've got more of a coach's mind than i realize.
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