Friendly doubles as grand going away party
The night wasn’t all about the onegame comeback of Canadian soccer legend Julian de Guzman.
It just had the feel of a night that was all about the all-time Canadian leader in international caps finally getting his last game before stepping back into retirement on his terms.
It was his chance to say goodbye to Fury FC fans.
A going away party of sorts for de Guzman, if you will, even though the only place he’s going is right back on the Fury FC bench as a gifted assistant coach, starting Saturday against Rochester.
It mattered little that the visiting Montreal Impact of the MSL did the expected and topped the USL’s Fury FC 1-0 on Wednesday night before an appreciative and enthusiastic crowd of 6,601 at TD Place in a friendly between the two affiliated teams.
The game had its moments as the Impact showed flashes of some of their advanced MLS skills. Fans could appreciate the speed with which the Impact do things.
But when the final whistle was blown, all the attention turned to de Guzman as he shook hands with players from both sides, posed for pictures with players (some half his age), and finally departed the field knowing this was it, a celebration of his playing career that injuries prevented him from doing in 2016 in what was to be his final year as a pro.
“I know deep down that, l if I really wanted to, I could still play,” said the accomplished 36-year-old, who wore number 89 in honour of his record number of international caps.
“But really, I feel I’m doing more on the (coaching side). It’s important for a guy like me, who has so (much experience) as a Canadian, to give back and grow the game in this country.
“I’m living a dream here,” said de Guzman. “I came to Ottawa just to get games and stay sharp for the national team. But now that I’m here, this is a great situation, and I get to give back to help grow the game. More players with my kind of experience need to (do that).”
Just a few minutes into the second half, de Guzman shed his sweatsuit. The former Ottawa Fury captain finally took to the pitch in the 57th minute to a partial standing ovation. It was his first game action since last July 30, finally getting him into one last game in a Fury FC jersey on his terms before heading quickly back into retirement.
Running out onto the field was easy, as de Guzman bikes 20 kilometres each way, each day, from Gatineau to TD Place.
Once out there, however, it was some of those long runs that midfielders have to make that reminded him why he retired.
As for the game itself, the Impact jumped in front before most of the crowd even had a chance to settle in.
The contest was barely into the third minute of play when the Impact’s Callum Mallace beat Fury FC keeper David Paulmin on a free kick from about 40 feet out.
But the Fury didn’t wilt under the pressure of their more accomplished opposition.
Fury FC midfielder Andrae Campbell forced Impact keeper Erik Kronberg to make an outstanding save in the 11th minute and then again late in the opening 45.
Fury forward Ryan Williams also had a great chance on a free kick in the 38th minute, only to sail his attempt over the cross-bar.
To open the second half, Fury FC head coach Paul Dalglish emptied his bench to give his younger players an opportunity to get some valuable playing time.