Returning from an injury, entering the game and scoring a last-minute goal against a dominant rival. Just another day at the office for Danny Dichio, Toronto's first soccer folk hero, and an exciting conclusion to Toronto FC's inaugural season.
Playing in his first game since August 25 due to a torn foot muscle, Danny Dichio took the field at half-time on Saturday as a substitute and ended up scoring the game-tying goal in stoppage time to cap off TFC's biggest comeback of the season. Down 2-0 after 58 minutes, the Reds rebounded to end their season with a point after a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution.
Dichio's goal finished off a furious second-half rally by the Reds that began with Collin Samuel's goal in the 59th minute. Toronto collected six of their 11 total shots in the game after that point and simply wore down the New England defense.
"I was more overjoyed that we scored as a team because I felt the boys really pressed hard the second half," Dichio said. "Of course the adulation is going to go to me but I was more proud that we scored as a team today and against New England, who are a very good team."
Dichio made his initial mark on TFC history by scoring the first goal in team history last May 12 in Chicago. His physical play and scoring prowess (a team-leading six goals) made him an instant favorite of the BMO Field faithful. His name routinely elicited the loudest cheers during the pregame introductions, and the fans even sang tribute songs when he touched the ball.
What slowed the big forward down, however, was the injury bug. A hip flexor, sore back and the foot injury kept Dichio out of nine out of TFC's previous 11 games. Dichio said the long layoff had an impact on his overall play.
"The foot felt really good ... but fitness-wise I wasn't up to scratch," he said. "I was happy to get involved and Mo put me in at halftime when the team called on me, but I don't think I put a good performance in. But the goal kind of smudges all that out at the end of it."
The goal in the face of injury will only make the forward's legend grow, according to Toronto coach Mo Johnston.
"The way we finished it off, I think next year we'll be calling it Dichio Stadium," Johnston joked. "You see what happens when Danny is healthy. You can't handle him. He's someone that will keep them pinned back because he flicks things on. He's just a monster to play against."
Perhaps enhancing Dichio's burgeoning legend is the fact that his goal wasn't even one of his signature strikes from in front of the net. Instead, Dichio sent a hooking volley just outside the penalty area that snuck past Revs 'keeper Matt Reis.
"I just thought 'I'm going to try and hook this and try and aim for the goal and try to keep the 'keeper off guard,'" Dichio said. "I didn't know where the 'keeper was -- I didn't see him and I just thought if I hooked it and tried to get it onside it might have a chance of going in. I didn't catch it as cleanly as I wanted to catch it, but maybe that was a good thing because I think it would've gone over if I had caught it cleanly."
Dichio's goal didn't just save the day for the Reds, it may also have saved goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos from an offseason of wearing goat horns. The 'keeper was victimized by New England defender Michael Parkhurst on a long shot that found the back of the net from near midfield in first-half stoppage time. Stamatopoulos had left his net to throw the ball down the field, but a quick turnover near the center spot left the 'keeper out of position for Parkhurst's shot.
"I played the counterattack, they caught me out of my net," Stamatopoulos said. "In fairness to [Parkhurst], it was a very good shot."
Stamatopoulos might be forced to watch that goal on MLS highlight reels for years to come, but he was proud his club didn't get discouraged.
"I wish it would've come out earlier, the heart we put into this game," he added. "You're two goals down and you come back to tie the game ... we needed that all year. It was a good feeling."
It was a heartening win for Toronto FC, especially in the light of their two previous matches with New England. TFC had been totally outplayed by the Revolution to the tune of a 4-0 loss on April 14 and a 3-0 defeat on June 23.
It was close to a playoff-type atmosphere at BMO Field on Saturday as the Toronto fans cheered both for their club's comeback draw and the overall experience of Major League Soccer in 2007. The players, coaches and several members of the TFC organization stayed on the pitch after the game for several minutes to salute the fans, even culminating in a victory lap.
"I hate doing a lap of honour when we haven't won anything, but we had to because the fans deserved it," Johnston said. "The way they came and showed up each week, and for me we'll go out and try to be the best possible to make them happy, because they are the best fans in MLS, easily."
Though Toronto FC will have to wait at least another season to make their first trip to the MLS Cup Playoffs, the club has to feel satisfied by a year that established themselves as a major player in North American soccer. TFC outpaced every other club in terms of ticket sales, merchandise and fan support, and on the field, the club finished collected at least one point against every team in MLS except league-leaders D.C. United and Chivas USA.
The future is bright, says the team's most recognizable star.
"We didn't make the playoffs and we're a bit upset with that but it's a franchise year and now we can put that to bed now," Dichio said. "We move on to next year where we know we have a squad capable of pushing. We've played against playoff contenders and maybe MLS champions of this year and we can play against them, so we know we have quality there."
Just another day at Dichio Stadium.
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
