John Molinaro, over at cbcsports.ca, wrote a fine impassioned piece this morning about Toronto FC striker Danny Dichio, and the odd – even disrespectful – treatment he is getting from coach Chris Cummins.
Dichio – the team’s first hero for scoring its first goal – can’t get in a game. Cummins says he is too injured even to fly to the west coast for road games. No, I’ve never heard that one before.
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This seems odd because, on the rare moments when Dichio does get into a game, he is second only to the rampant Dwayne DeRosario as the team’s most dangerous and creative attacker this season. If he’s so seriously hurt, why does he look so good – and produce so much?
Cummins said earlier in the year he wanted to ration Dichio’s minutes a bit, to make sure he gets the best of the 35-year-old veteran holding striker when he really needs him.
But when is that? Two goalless CONCACAF Champions League fold jobs against Puerto Rico? The entire team producing zero shots on goal at Chivas USA last Saturday?
Molinaro gave the cage a good rattle this morning, and I hope we’ll learn a lot more in the aftermath. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (TFC’s owners) do make it very hard to access the players at times. We may have to go another route.
How about a major outpouring of fan support? The fans already sing Dichio’s name during the 24th minute of every game. Maybe it’s time to step that up.
A banner. More songs. Everyone wear the number 9. Put on a bald wig or something. Pressure on the media sites. Pressure on the fan boards.
We’re not just talking about respect for a distinguished warrior at the end of his career. We have a desperate need playing time for a guy who has done nothing all season but create wonderful chances for his teammates to score.
What are we going to do? Lose? Pretty-Boy Vitti and Chunk Barrett are going to create more singing set-ups than Dichio? Even with strict playing-time restrictions, Dichio has them both beat on the season.
This doesn’t read like an injury story. It feels far more like a back-room bust-up. Let’s pressure both Cummins and Dichio to speak up, and then shine a thoughtful, careful light on whatever they have to say.
Dichio is a hero in these parts, after all. And there is the small matter of a playoff spot.
Onward!