Can Marco Di Vaio turn Impact into a MLS contender?

No matter what happens this year, Montreal Impact supporters, Marco Di Vaio will be back next year. Keep that in mind. While the Impact try to find their way out of a terrible tailspin as the MLS playoffs loom, if nothing else, the future looks bright for the franchise.

Montreal set the MLS table on fire early this season, but is now struggling just to stay in the playoff picture. The Impact surprised many teams by using a quick counterattack offence to generate most of their goals in the first few months of the season. More often than not, it was Di Vaio getting the last touch on those plays. He’s currently tied for the MLS lead in goals with 19 and will be counted on to bury a couple more as Montreal sits fourth in the Eastern Conference ahead of Wednesday night’s game at the LA Galaxy.

Considering how important the 37-year-old striker is to the Impact, the persistent rumors that he would return to Italy and retire from MLS play following this season had Impact supporters very concerned. However, Montreal ended that speculation Tuesday by announcing it had picked up Di Vaio’s option for the 2014 season.

“I am very pleased to be back with the Impact in 2014,” Di Vaio said in a statement. “After discussions with my family, it was clear that I wanted to keep playing and I am happy to be in Montreal for another season.”

Now, regardless of how this season ends up, the Impact are in good shape moving forward. They have a talented lineup that has the ability to grow into a perennial contender. This team is growing together and will benefit from another season with a player of Di Vaio’s caliber. He may be 37 years old, but he still has the speed to put markers on notice and his finishing speaks for itself. Now, he’s just looking to take Montreal to the next level.

“The most important thing is to score goals that help the team. If I score and I don’t help my team, for me [it’s pointless]. I feel bad because I want to help the Impact go to the playoffs. It’s very, very important for the team, the club, our fans. When I score, I want to score goals that help,”

Montreal is set as a big +524 underdog for tonight’s road game against the Galaxy.