Davy Arnaud’s name will forever be etched in Montreal Impact history.
Appointed as the club’s first-ever captain in MLS on March 6, 2012, Arnaud dedicated two years of his career to the Impact at a crucial point in its existence.
As a tribute to Davy Arnaud, who announced today that he was retiring from the professional game, here are his top 5 moments in Bleu-blanc-noir.
5. Assist against Toronto FC, March 16, 2013
Against the rival from Toronto, Arnaud contributes to a typical Marco Di Vaio goal. The Italian forward is just onside when Arnaud wonderfully slips the ball through the TFC backline to Di Vaio, who takes care of the rest. This goal stands as the winner when Montreal triumphs by a 2-1 scoreline.
4. Goal against LA Galaxy, May 12, 2012
On that day, more than 60,000 people pack the Olympic Stadium as the Impact tie the Galaxy, 1-1. In front of the biggest crowd he’ll ever see as an Impact player, Arnaud scores his team’s only goal. Bernardo Corradi subtly flicks on Nelson Rivas’ long pass, and Arnaud races on to finish past the onrushing ‘keeper, Brian Perk. The Galaxy would reply through an unknown English player, one David Beckham.
3. Goal and assist against Houston Dynamo, June 23, 2012
Soccer’s played with the feet, but Arnaud can use his head, too. On a hot summer night, Arnaud scores Montreal’s second when he nods the ball home after a Justin Mapp cross. Then, in the second half, Arnaud flicks a corner kick on with his head, all the way across the box to Hassoun Camara who slams it into the back of the net. The Impact wins, 4-2.
2. Goal against Seattle Sounders, March 2, 2013
In early 2013, the Impact conquers Cascadia, winning at the Sounders and at the Timbers in straight games. It all begins in Seattle: Arnaud, shifted back to the middle after a season mostly spent on the right flank, scores the only goal of the game with a brilliant lob. Seattle’s goalkeeper at the time, Michael Gspurning, stands nearly two metres tall.
1. Goal against Chicago Fire, March 17, 2012
All who were at the Olympic Stadium for the Impact’s first-ever MLS home game – in the “sea of blue,” as TSN’s Luke Wileman called it – will always remember this moment of grace when Davy Arnaud’s head met Sanna Nyassi’s cross. It was pure emotion, in the stands and on the field: Arnaud, having scored Montreal’s first MLS goal, simply couldn’t hide it – and he wasn’t alone.
Special mention: the interview in French
As Montreal Impact captain, Davy Arnaud did his utmost to understand the Montreal culture and became immersed in it. In October 2013, he gives an interview in French to Impact Media and explains how he improved his command of the language. Arnaud already possessed some skills – part of his family lives in France –, but in two years, he reached an impressive level of proficiency.
Merci, Davy.
