TORONTO — “Ohhhhhh Danny Dichio. Dichio. Dichio. Danny Dichioooo.”
The game was long over Saturday but the singing and rhythmic clapping continued for Toronto FC supporters at one of their gathering places, Shoeless Joe's, a short walk from BMO Field, where Danny Dichio is indeed well known.
The singing tribute to Dichio also took place in the 24th minute of Saturday's 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution, as it does at each Toronto FC game at BMO Field. It is done to recognize Dichio scoring the new Major League Soccer team's first goal on May 12 and it came in the 24th minute.
That historic goal made Dichio a cult hero, which was enhanced by the fact that not long after it, he received the team's first red card. To make everything neat and tidy, TFC also won its first game that day, 3-1 over the Chicago Fire.
Toronto FC's Andrew Boyens, front, heads the ball against the New England Revolution on Saturday. Toronto got a late goal from Danny Dichio to salvage a 2-2 tie. (Reuters)
Late Saturday afternoon, Shoeless Joe's was a virtual sea of red, and anyone who lagged in the Dichio song was prompted by a young, bearded fellow who pumped his arms something like an animated Mitch Miller in a TFC shirt as he worked the room.
Dichio, who had not played since Aug. 25 because of a foot injury, again made TFC's supporters happy on Saturday.
With the game on its last fumes in stoppage time, he chipped home the goal that tied the contest against the Revolution and sent the announced crowd of 20,374 into ecstasy. TFC had come back from a 2-0 disadvantage against a playoff team.
The bond between TFC and its supporters has become a major part of the team's story. At the end of the game, the players did a lap of the field, paying tribute to the supporters.
After the team left the pitch, the invasion began. Hundreds of fans ran onto the pitch and congregated at midfield in a happy, dancing throng with banners waving. The scenario was handled sensibly by security and it stayed a happy moment.
“I hate doing a lap of honour when you've not won anything,” head coach Mo Johnston said. “But we had to because these fans deserved it the way they came out and showed up each week.”
Dichio entered the game at the half to replace Jeff Cunningham, who has not been effective since undergoing hernia surgery in September.
“I don't think I put a good performance in, but the goal kind of smudges all that out at the end of it,” Dichio said.
But the second half showed how much his mere presence as a focal point means to the attack, proof that the numerous injuries TFC endured in the second half were a reason for the team's struggles, not an excuse. Besides the foot injury, Dichio also endured back and hip flexor injuries and a sprained ankle during the season.
Collin Samuel, who has played himself into a spot on next year's team if he can keep his weight under control, scored in the 59th minute to put TFC back into the game at 2-1. He knocked the ball home after Marvell Wynne hit the post after a determined effort.
“I think that was the turning point because the guys realized hey, we're back in the ball game,” Johnston said. “The way they finished off, I think next year they'll be calling it Dichio Stadium.”
New England appeared to have the game in hand. Michael Parkhurst scored in stoppage time in the first half on a shot from midfield that caught goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos well off his line after TFC had lost the ball. Stamatopoulos had moved up to make a pass. Taylor Twellman scored in the 47th minute.
TFC finished its season at 6-17-7 for 25 points, better than the previous expansion teams, Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA, did two years ago in picking up 20 and 18 points, respectively, in a 32-game schedule.
There will be changes for next year. Johnston talked about adding depth and quality and repeated his shopping list of two strikers, two midfielders and two defenders.
The team will play a friendly match in Portland, Ore., next Sunday with the younger players getting a chance, and then there will be some player moves.
“I think this club and supporters need certain different types of players to excite them,” Johnston said. “I think it will be wonderful if we can get certain guys through the doors next year. We're looking, we're looking strong. … We still have a lot of money to spend. … There will be a lot of unhappy guys who'll be leaving.”
“We've got the quality there, we've got to add a few more players,” Dichio said, “and I think Mo's going to be doing that, he's going to be working hard.”
