It wasnt the game-winner he hoped for to end a 20-career in professional soccer, but Marco Di Vaio still left the Montreal Impact with a goal to remember him by.
The 38-year-old Italian, who finished off a stellar career with three Major League Soccer seasons in Montreal, scored in the 27th minute only to see Fabian Espindola get the equalizer in the 86th as the Impact played to a 1-1 draw with D.C. United on Saturday.
To finish my career is a little bit sad, but this has been a big day for me and my family, so Im happy, said Di Vaio. Scoring goals was my life, and this was the last time I will feel that emotion.
But I received a lot of emotion from everyone in Montreal, inside and outside the stadium. I feel like a lucky guy.
The game meant nothing in the standings to either side.
Montreal (6-10-18) finished last in the 19-team MLS after a difficult season, although they took heart from going undefeated three wins and three ties in the last six home games.
D.C. United (17-8-9), which finished on a six-game unbeaten string, came first in the Eastern Conference and will face the winner of the fourth versus fifth place knockout game in the playoffs.
It poured cold rain throughout the match, but the crowd of 15,242 were there mostly to celebrate the career of perhaps the best player ever to put on the Impacts blue, white and black uniform.
The goal, scored on a solo run up the left side with a low shot slotted past goalkeeper Bill Hamid, was like many of the 34 he scored in 76 games for Montreal.
When he went in, Di Vaio performed his signature goal celebration he kissed the ring on his left hand and lifted his arm to the sky.
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Marco Di Vaio scores in last career game as Impact draws with United