Danny Dichio, the beloved Toronto FC striker known for scoring the club's first-ever goal, announced his retirement from soccer on Wednesday. "It's a sad day for me because I'm retiring and I'll never put on the boots again," Dichio told reporters at a news conference at BMO Field. "But at the same time, it's a happy day because I'm excited about the future and the next chapter in my life," said Dichio, whose career included stints in the English Premier League and Italy's Serie A.
As part of the conference, Dichio was introduced as TFC's team ambassador and academy coach who will immediately begin working on the field with his former teammates, scouting for upcoming Major League Soccer games and looking for prospects. Dichio's spot on the roster is expected to be filled by Julian de Guzman, a Scarborough native and the 2008 Canadian Soccer Association male player of the year. TFC general manager Mo Johnston said while moving Dichio off the roster creates a little bit of space under Major League Soccer's $2.3 million (U.S.) salary cap, that "wasn't really a big issue" behind offering him a coaching position. "The issue was that Danny was ready," Johnston said, noting TFC had already put Dichio through one international coaching certification and has him enrolled in the next level early next year.
Dichio, 34,who has seen his playing time dwindle in recent weeks, retires as Toronto's all-time leading scorer, having netted 14 goals in 59 games, 37 of them as a starter. Johnston, who said he could see Dichio as the team's head coach one day, didn't rule out retiring Dichio's No. 9 jersey. He also said there will be some form of public event to honor the man who gets serenaded at the 24th minute of every game to mark the time of that first goal, which set off a delirious celebration of screams and flying seat cushions.