Montreal Impact took the opportunity of a relatively quiet morning in the Canadian soccer landscape to announce that the club has signed their first designated player, Marco Di Vaio, most recently of Bologna FC.
Congratulations for acquiring the target of long negotiations, but it wasn’t a quiet morning.
Whether the timing of the press release was specifically designed to steal some of the thunder – and lightning – from last night’s Voyageur’s Cup finale is impossible to say, but it does emerge as a convenient coincidence.
Instead of discussing the fiery final at BMO Field, a tense, dramatic affair - one of those matches that grips the attention regardless of its low-scoring nature – all the talk will be about another star joining the Canadian soccer scene.
Montreal fell out of the competition after two disappointing legs against Toronto FC and may have felt the need to grab a bit of the spotlight for themselves, reinforcing their relevance as the new boys on the MLS block.
Today also happens to be the commencement of the Canadian Soccer Association’s (CSA) Centennial celebrations.
Ten days of recollection including Best XI’s of the half century (1912-1962 and 1963-2012), the Top 10 Moments in Canadian Soccer history, online polling of an All-Time Canada XI for both men’s and women’s football, culminating in the Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the Centennial match against the USA at BMO Field on June 3rd.
Was this a sneaky bit of vulturing or just an innocent coincidence? Either way; well-played Montreal, well-played.
How the ageing Serie A star will adapt to the robust play, exhausting travel, and climatological hurdles of North American soccer remains to be seen, but if given the service, he will score goals.
Di Vaio will join the Impact on June 16th but will not be available until the transfer window opens on June 27th, potentially – assuming the receipt of his International Transfer Certificate – in time for Montreal to face Toronto at Stade Saputo on that same date.
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