The imposing goalkeeper was in his fourth A-League season with Montreal, after having been named the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003.
Greg Sutton played two more seasons for the Impact before being acquired by Toronto FC. The Reds made him their starting goalkeeper for the 2007 expansion season in MLS.
Four years later, the 34-year-old veteran is making a return to Montreal in a New York Red Bulls uniform and will be between the pipes for his new club, as the Impact welcomes the top team in the MLS Eastern Conference for a friendly, Wednesday night, at Saputo Stadium.
« It’s always special to come back to Montreal where I spent some amazing years, plus, it’s where my wife is from, » said Sutton. « It’s also where I experienced one my greatest moments, if not the greatest, when we won the championship in 2004. That really solidified Joey Saputo’s relaunch of the club. »
Sutton, a native of Hamilton, Ontario, admits he would have gladly spent the rest of his career with a Canadian club in order to help promote the game in this country, but instead, he adapted to the circumstances and isn’t disappointed about his move to the United States, where he spent part of his youth.
« I was released by Toronto FC in the middle of my third season there (June 9, 2009),» he recalls. « I went on to play for Canada in the Gold Cup, but then hadn’t found a professional home until I signed with the Red Bulls at the start of the 2010 season. »
Sutton admits that he’s had a few discussions about Toronto FC with some of his teammates, who were also « ejected » from the Reds lineup.
« With Dwayne (De Rosario) and Carl (Robinson), it’s clear the Toronto lineup is in constant evolution, » he said. « Just look around the league and you’ll find a number of players who found their second wind after being dismissed by the Reds. »
Once again this season, an unfortunate incident during a training session put Sutton on the sidelines.
« I started the first game of the season (1-0 win versus Seattle), but I suffered a minor concussion at practice, which kept me out of the lineup for three weeks, » said Sutton. « Buona (Coundol) took over and did a great job. Since head coach Hans Backe doesn’t like to change a winning formula, I waited on the sidelines for a chance to get back in. It was frustrating, but you have to learn to live with situations like that. »
Sutton would certainly love the opportunity to wear Canadian colors again for the 2011 Gold Cup, which takes place June 5 to 25. Canada is in Group C, along with the U.S., Guadalupe and Panama.
« I’m part of a group of 30 players from which the national team will be selected, » said Sutton. « The 2009 Gold Cup was the last time I played for Canada. I was asked to play two or three times in 2010, but things were going well in New York and I didn’t want to break the momentum. You have to figure out how to balance the interests of your club versus those of your national squad. »
Greg Sutton is confident he’ll spend a few more years in MLS.
« I feel better than ever and I’ve really improved my play on the ground, » he said. « The more experience you acquire as a 'keeper, the more you realize how important positioning is. My aerial skills have always be strength, due to my size, while my footwork has always been my weakest attribute. I worked really hard at it and the results are obvious.”
Sutton wouldn’t trade places with anyone, now that he’s on a team that took every measure required to fulfill its lofty goals for this season.
“The difference between first and second division clubs usually comes down to how much money they can devote to player signings,” he said. “Talent costs money and with a bigger budget, you can build a better team. Plus, players are motivated by a club’s higher expectations. That’s clear with the Red Bulls, with guys like Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez and Dwayne De Rosario, who’ve won multiple titles and know what it takes to win.”
After visiting Saputo Stadium with Toronto FC during the 2008 Nutrilite Canadian Championship, as well as with Canada in a qualifying match, Sutton is anxious to step onto the natural grass once again on Wednesday night.
“It’s always special to face one of your former clubs,” he concluded. “It’s even more special when you’ve had success with that team, which was the case for me in Montreal. I’m also looking forward to catching up with some of my ex-teammates like Nick (De Santis), Mauro (Biello), Nevio (Pizzolitto) and Adam (Braz), not to mention a few of the old reporters. The ambiance in Montreal, as well as the hours before and after the game will be fun."
Martin Smith, Impact Media
