MONTREAL – Despite the pouring rain and the roller coaster of emotions in what would be Marco Di Vaio’s final game, the Italian legend was not denied, scoring the lone Impact goal in a 1-1 draw against D.C. United, Saturday, at Stade Saputo.
Despite playing a tough opponent in D.C. United, the Eastern Conference leaders, Di Vaio scored in the 26th minute. On this historic play, Dilly Duka played a through ball as Di Vaio beat the offside trap, breaking in alone on goal and side footing it short side past goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
“It was a lot of emotions for me to share this goal and game today with my parents, family, colleagues, staff and the fans,” said the Impact’s number 9, whose goal was fittingly his ninth on the season. “It was incredible for me and I am very happy that I scored and that we played well.”
“It was an emotional game, but we wanted to come out and end the season in a positive way and finish off with a win,” said head coach Frank Klopas. “The guys gave everything out on the field and Marco scored a great goal, so in the end it’s a special and sad day. Everyone here, not only the players but the staff also, learnt about a man that competes every day and loves doing what he does. That’s a good lesson for all the younger guys to see. Everyone is going to miss him.”
Il bomber had at least two other really good chances to get a second on the night, but one was stopped by DCU keeper Bill Hamid on a left-footed strike in the 50th minute, and the other was a free-kick that just sailed wide in the first half.
The Impact’s first ever Designated Player ends his career with 76 games played, including 64 starts, and the team’s all-time leading scorer in MLS with 34 goals, nine assists and 99 shots on goal.
“Marco brought us to another level in this league and was always a leader amongst us,” celebrated Patrice Bernier. “It was an honour to play with him and to have my name side by side with his in Montreal Impact’s history.”
In honour of his illustrious career, today’s game was lined with a number of special dedications, including a painting by teammate Issey Nakajima-Farran called “Taking off the Tape,” special guests of honour Alessandro Nesta, along with Di Vaio’s wife and two daughters, who also accompanied their father onto the pitch at the start of the game, and a couple of tribute videos.
With the game’s final minutes counting down, IMFC fans had numerous opportunities to chant his name for a final time, culminating in his substitution and standing ovation in extra time.
So, for the last time in an illustrious career, season ends for the bleu-blanc-noir with a Grazie Grande Marco!
Lineups
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Eric Miller, Karl W. Ouimette, Wandrille Lefèvre, Maxim Tissot (Krzysztof Krol 59’); M-Calum Mallace, Patrice Bernier, Andrés Romero, Dilly Duka (Jack McInerney 74’), Issey Nakajima-Farran; F-Marco Di Vaio (Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé 90+3’)
Subs not used: GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Futty Danso; M-Gorka Larrea, Louis Béland-Goyette
D.C. – GK-Bill Hamid; D-Bobby Boswell, Chris Korb, Sean Franklin (Samuel Inkoom 65’), Steve Birnbaum; M-Collin Martin (David Estrada 81’), Jared Jeffrey (Lewis Neal 62’), Nick DeLeon, Perry Kitchen; F-Eddie Johnson, Fabian Espindola
Subs not used: GK-Joe Willis; M-Conor Shanosky, Kyle Porter; F-Michael Seaton
Goals
MTL – Di Vaio (Duka) 26’
D.C. – Espindola (Inkoom) 86’
Caution
MTL – Mallace 40’
