If we could use some of that vanishing spray from Brazil 2014 to remove the 1999 A League Season which was spent in Raleigh, North Carolina as the Impact sat out an outdoor season - Saturday afternoons league match at home to arch rival Toronto FC will represent the first time in over two decades the Montreal Impact will take to a football pitch without Nick De Santis leading from the front. Who would have known that when he was signed by the club for its inaugural 1993 season, De Santis would go on to carve out for himself one of the most distinguished careers, on and off the pitch in North American soccer history. Ask yourself now, who else comes to mind? Exactly. Through his tenures as player, player/assistant coach, head coach, GM and Sporting Director - outside of an MLS Cup and CONCACAF Champions League title, De Santis has been a winner. Seen it all too. Many tag De Santis as the Face of the Organization. He was much more than that. De Santis is both the face and force of the Impact. Driven, possessing of an unbridled competitive spirit -- like very few others ever to take to the pitch in North America -- and with an overriding passion, will and determination to succeed, De Santis was loved by many and loathed by others. Even the Dalia Lama has his detractors. De Santis left an impression, not always favourable with whomever he came into contact with. Like a few others that come to mind across world football, De Santis could spark a furious debate in a phone booth. The man cared. Like no other I have seen in all my years, from those early, Impact incubating days sitting in the empty stands over at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard right on through the clubs entire history. Relieved of his duties in midweek - a vast chasm and gap just like the abundance of pot holes and sink holes which define Montreal these days now exists over at Saputo Stadium. Everyone might be replaceable, as the old adage goes, but these are mighty big shoes to fill. Just as in 2006 when Mike Moretto left the club, it will take two people to fulfill the roles De Santis did. We got our first indication De Santis was on thinner ice during the clubs 2013 post-mortem last November when Joey Saputo announced that from now on, his Sporting Director and dear friend, would now solely focus on the senior team. As the winter turned to spring and now in the midst of deep summer with defeats forming like an iceberg, that thin ice De Santis was skating on slowly ebbed and flowed away. De Santis, as he has done throughout his entire career, went down fighting. From some ex-teammates and coaches through to certain sections of the supporter base and media, there will be those who will take a form of pleasure in his demise. Rivals and foes formed over two decades wont though. The very best definition I have of the Saputo/De Santis relationship comes from an old teammate who once described it to me in very simple terms. "Nick is Joeys confidence." Confidant, Counsel and Consciousness, not many football club owners are fortunate enough to have such a relationship and conduit. Saputo could always count on De Santis. Make no mistake; the De Santis DNA touched in some way, shape or form all aspects of the club on and off the pitch. These past few months could not have been easy for Saputo as he slowly realised De Santis time was up and the president had to face up to the inevitable. He had to let go of the man who he walked stride in stride with for nearly half of his entire life. Not only in the professional sense, but as crucially in the family, and personal sense as well. Anyone who has been fortunate, as I have over the years, to attend and witness the likes of pre-season team introduction events, post-season banquets through to the Saputo Stadium ground breaking ceremony and inaugural weekend, let alone the championship matches and other defining football moments, knows De Santis commands the love and respect of the extended Saputo family. Saputos apt choice of word Wednesday morning, "relieved when announcing De Santis had paid the price, likely also best describes how Saputo himself felt. The inner anguish, the personal and professional turmoil the Impacts president has suffered through these past few months especially, was finally at an end. De Santis time with the club though is not. Announced to become part of the clubs administration in as yet undefined role is only right and fitting. Two things immediately spring to mind. The first was in June 2008 when it was announced De Santis was let go as head coach but was appointed as GM - someone in the media questioned why he had been promoted. Saputo let it be known right there, De Santis would always be a part of the club. The other occasion was down on the pitch in October 2009 shortly after the Impact had clinched their third playoff title. Live on the radio I put it to De Santis – youve won it as a player, a coach and now as GM when will you win it as President? "Lets not talk about that, lets just enjoy this moment," was his deadpan response. A place in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame awaits. As a club tribute, a statue of De Santis should grace Saputo Stadium. To be placed just outside the players entrance. After two decades of football service the local lad from east end St Michel might be gone from the pitch, but he will not ever be forgotten. Je me souviens. Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter Montreal Impact Vs Toronto FC live on TSN690 [TSN690.ca] Saturday. Kick Off 5:00pm – Brian Wilde [@BrianWilde] and Grant Needham [@GrantNeedham] with your call. Nike Air Vapormax Flyknit 2 Rebajas . Locke overcame a shaky start to pitch seven innings and Josh Harrison had three hits to extend his hot streak as the Pirates beat the Miami Marlins 7-3 on Wednesday night. Vapormax Hombre Baratas .The Toronto Raptors guard, who will represent the Eastern Conference at the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Sunday, says he doesnt complain in the face of adversity "because I know this little girl is just happy for anything. http://www.vapormaxbaratas.com/vapormax-flyknit-baratas-venta.html . JOHNS, N. Vapormax Flyknit Falsas . Nat Borchers headed in the sole goal in the 54th minute, getting on the end of a Kyle Beckerman free kick. The defeat cost Sporting top spot in the Eastern Conference. Even a draw would have moved the Kansas City club above Columbus. Vapormax Plus Falsas . Kenny Miller scored from the penalty spot and Camilo Sanvezzo came off the bench to add two late goals as the Whitecaps kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over the sagging Impact on Saturday afternoon.Andy Keogh is hoping for a Republic of Ireland call-up after breaking an Australian league goal-scoring record. The 29-year-old scored in his eighth consecutive A-League match for Perth Glory on Sunday, netting in a dramatic 3-2 win over Melbourne City. Keogh has 30 caps for Republic of Ireland, the last of which came in 2013, but he is determined to catch Martin ONeills attention in the run up to Euro 2016. Keogh told Sky Sports News HQ: Its a great feeling to break the record but its all credit to my team-mates as well. My goals have been important because theyve helped us into the play-offs and contributed to the teams performances.Im hoping Martin ONeill has noticed. I love my country and feel I can contribute, especially as Im in good form and scoring goalsMartin has shown a willingness to look outside the box with some players and Id love to show what I could do in a training camp.Keogh won the FAI Goal of the Year award for his first international strike in 2008, and hhe was a regular under previous managers Steve Staunton and Giovanni Trapattoni.dddddddddddd The former Wolves star admits his performances in recent seasons have not been good enough for more caps but he says he has been training harder than ever to earn a spot. It was difficult not playing since 2013 but my performances probably didnt justify being selected, he said. Ive had no issues with it but now I feel a lot better player. I have more experience, I look after my body better and have being working harder than ever before in training and the gym.Martin hasnt been in touch yet but Im hoping to speak to him. I regularly keep in touch with a lot of the guys and theyre great lads.I feel fitter and better than ever and I want to score more goals for my country. Also See: Rep Ireland latest Rep Ireland fixtures Rep Ireland stats Live on Sky ' ' '