Evan Bush knew the day would come, his time with the Impact approaching the end after almost 10 seasons, a life for a professional athlete, with the same Major League Soccer team.
Bush, who claims not to be an emotional person, temporarily deleted Twitter from his phone a few days ago to avoid distractions, sought a transparent brain and before making a very important and transformative resolution that would have effects on him and his family.
When his industry with the Vancouver Whitecaps was finalized on Monday morning, after not dressing up for Sunday’s game opposed to the New York Red Bulls, and facing a cross-country flight to Portland, Oregon, Bush had time to see the dizzying affection that came to him from ex-partners, enthusiasts and an unexpected amount of media.
“It was touching to see all those things. The biggest compliment you can tell me is how professional I was, how I treated other people the right way. That’s the most vital thing,” Bush told the Montreal Gazette on the phone. “It’s wonderful for me to see the lives I’ve been able to touch.
“I had an emotional mess on the plane, referring to me, telling some of the things I learned to love about Montreal. . . memories and people,” Bush added. ” I spent many smart moments in the countryside; many bad times too. “
In many ways, the 34-year-old goalkeeper, The Face of Impact, signed with the club in March 2011, his final season in the North American Football League. From 2014 to 2019, almost every game of the team began. , making 190 appearances in total – 171 in MLS.
More than that, Bush came here to embrace the western network of the island of Montreal: Pierrefonds at first, then Beaconsfield. It has become the home of the Ohio native, his wife and their three children, the endless MLS season, at least before the coronavirus. pandemic, which lasts at least nine months.
But Bush was supplanted by Clement Diop in late 2019, with the Impact winning the Canadian championship with him online. Bush was not protected in the expansion draft and, unensured, has become transparent this season, under the leadership of new coach Thierry Henry, that the team’s goal-seeking plans have not changed. Even with Montreal on a four-game streak with the worst defensive score in the East Conference, Diop played each and every game.
“Clement finished the season well and entered this season with a little confidence. Probably at the other end of the spectrum,” Bush said. ” I think the writing on the wall. Clement had the first shot and did well outside the gate.
“Not betting and not being summoned is really hard,” he added. “It’s hard, absolutely, especially since I was the guy every week for six years.
Economically, it didn’t make much sense for the Impact to retain a player who did play. According to the Sportekz website, Bush’s base salary this season is $232,000 with an average guaranteed annual salary of $294,666, compared to Diop’s base is $94,500.
Bush said he doesn’t play, he never called for an exchange, but the talks began through the Whitecaps, who lost former Impact player Maxime Crépeau and Thomas Hasal to long-term injuries.
In a rare movement, probably based on respect and tenure, the proposed deal was presented to Bush Friday night, along with the team founded in Harrison, New Jersey. He was told to do it in a few hours, but he hesitated. 10 years and take the decision to leave in an hour or two and have confidence in that, ” said Bush.
Bush accompanied the Impact to the Red Bull Arena on Sunday with his suitcases packed, hoping to return to Montreal after the game. The industry ended 10 minutes before the pre-game meeting, he said, and Bush was inactive. Raitala gave Bush a chance to deal with the players before the game, but, as a distraction, he waited for Montreal’s 4–1 defeat.
The Impact (5-8-1) is eighth in the East Conference, tied for Nashville, which has a game in hand. Montreal has surpassed 14-4 in its last four games. Bush believes that the situations facing the three Canadian clubs: all forced to do so in a bubble environment in the United States, have wreaked havoc.
“This is very heavy, very fast, ” he said. ” The boys are emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted. “
Bush flew straight to Portland, the Whitecaps base for the rest of the season, on Monday, at a disadvantage from the opportunity to quickly return home. With a second COVID-19 control, you will be allowed to exercise on Wednesday night. with his new team, where he will meet former Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos and goalkeeper coach Youssef Dahha.
Bush might never see his family circle again until November, depending on whether Vancouver (5-9-0), tenth of the Western Conference, qualifies for the playoffs. Bush and his circle of relatives plan to move to the Cleveland or Vancouver domain in the coming months.
Bush said he and his wife will be the other people and the relationships they’ve developed. “Ten years in a position is a long time, ” he admitted.
“I need to be remembered as a guy who combined everything at all times. People know I did that.
hzurkowsky@postmedia. com
twitter. com/HerbZurkowsky1
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