TORONTO -
Danny Dichio was far from a global soccer hero when he first came to Toronto FC in the spring of 2007.
He was an effective blue-collar pro who had logged time at some of England's less glamorous clubs. But the big striker quickly became part of Toronto FC folklore when he crossed the Atlantic to play in the MLS, scoring the expansion team's first ever goal.
"It wasn't a great goal, by any means," Dichio recalled Wednesday. "But it meant a lot to the future of this club, and I'll take that memory with me wherever I go."
Dichio, who turns 35 next month, announced his retirement Wednesday and plans to enter the coaching ranks with Toronto FC. Dichio will serve as an ambassador for the soccer team and help with coaching, starting initially with the academy players before moving to the first team next year.
"It's a big step for me. It's going to be a hard transition but it's one I'm looking forward to," Dichio said.
Dichio entered the record book on May 12, 2007, when he scored 23 minutes 13 seconds into a game against the visiting Chicago Fire. Toronto fans had been waiting for weeks for something to celebrate. The fledgling franchise had been outscored 10-0 in losing three straight on the road and one at home.
Dichio, playing just his second game for his new team, slid to knock home a half-speed cross from then-teammate Edson Buddle, ending a 384-minute dry spell. Thousands of giveaway seat cushions were hurled onto the field like Frisbees and a legend was born. Dichio made some more history later in the game when he became the first TFC player to be red-carded but Toronto hung on to win 3-1.
To this day, Toronto fans celebrate the goal with a song about Dichio in the 24th minute of every game.
Dichio went on to score just 13 more goals for Toronto. But fans still celebrate him for that first one -- and for the grit and drive he used to try to pry open opposing defences.
At six foot three, the shaven-headed Dichio was a physical presence on the field. Good in the air and able to hold up the ball to bring other teammates into play, he was a handful when healthy.
"He is legendary in the hearts of TFC fans," said Rudi Schuller, a prominent member of the U-Sector supporters' group. "I think it's best to be happy for what he brought to Toronto. He put a face to the club when it really didn't have one.
"I prefer to remember him as that bulldog that scored the first goal, and pushed people around, and really had that Toronto attitude that we seem to love and cling on to here."
Dichio also earned respect for his love and loyalty for his new home. Right from the beginning, he said he and his family were determined to remain in Toronto.
"We knew as soon as we arrived it was the right place for us," said Dichio, who recently became technical director of the Thornhill Soccer Club.
Prior to coming to the MLS, the big man had stints with Preston North End, Millwall, Derby County, West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Queen's Park Rangers and Barnet. He also spent time in Italy at Sampdoria and Lecce.
In recent weeks, controversy swirled over Dichio's ongoing lack of playing time.
The team was struggling, and even as a banged-up part-timer, Dichio was doing an effective if limited job of disrupting defences. Toronto FC is looking to younger target men like Chad Barrett, Pablo Vitti, Ali Gerba, O'Brian White and Fuad Ibrahim.
The English native has 14 goals in 59 games for Toronto, with injuries limiting his playing time. He has scored three goals in 19 appearances this season with 13 of those coming off the bench.
"Danny's been a massive part of the club for the past few seasons," said Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins, enthusiastically welcoming Dichio to his new duties with the team.
"We've been speaking about this change for weeks, looking at the best interests of the club. Myself and the coaching staff will open our arms and welcome him in and give him as much help as we can, because it's going to be a bit of a transition for him."
Dichio's retirement may pave the way for the arrival of Canadian international midfielder Julian de Guzman.
"This is about Danny, it's not about Julian de Guzman today," said Toronto director of soccer Mo Johnston, who coaches Dichio in the inaugural season.
Johnston said Dichio will be involved in a variety of roles, including scouting and other coaching duties.
"Danny's been a massive part of the club for the last three seasons," said Cummins. "And he's going to continue to be massive part of that."
Dichio said he had been mulling over the decision for a few weeks.
"I think it's come at the right time," said Dichio. "My body's been feeling a bit bad at this moment in time. Also I haven't been playing as much as I wanted to. And that's not down just to the coaches' decision. It's down to me not training to my full ability and also there's better players in the team at this moment of time."
Said Schuller: "I'd rather celebrate his career than be saddened by his retirement."
