But if the player's sexual orientation was a mystery to the public, it was well known to his teammates and opponents. Testo has even more than once been the target of homophobic abuse when he was playing with Montreal, told La Presse one of his former coaches.
Marc Dos Santos has seen at least twice of episodes where the American midfielder was called a "fucking fagot" - "dirty fag" in French - by players of opposing teams. To Dos Santos, there is no doubt that those who insulted Testo knew very well he was gay.
"All the dressing room of the Impact knew, and once the locker room knows, it is easy as the word goes in the other teams. In the League, 60 to 80% of the players were aware, "said Dos Santos Thursday.
The former coach of the Impact has worked with David for three and a half years. He noted that he himself has witnessed two episodes, several others have occurred without his knowledge. On both occasions, David Testo did not tell his coach.
"Other people would have made a big deal, but not David. Both times, he turned his back to the player, said Marc Dos Santos. But after that, if there was a challenge on a ball between him and the player who had insulted him, he came home very strong. He is a proud and very mature. He would not tell that to the left, right, he settled it on the ground. "
The incidents told Dos Santos illustrate how the sport has remained largely closed homosexuality. Even today, few athletes are openly gays and especially in team sports.
Only two active professional soccer players have come out of the closet in history, the most recent of them being the young Swedish player Anton Hysen. David Testo, who is looking for a team after being thanked by the Impact last October, could become the third.
The retired NBA John Amaechi became the first basketball player to come out in 2007. The Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas also revealed his homosexuality two years later.
A secret hard to bear
David Testo has meanwhile decided to break the silence because the secret was too much to bear. During the five seasons it has evolved in Montreal, the public never knew his sexual orientation.
"I really regret not having said publicly earlier. I fought with it all my life, my career, said in an interview Testo Radio-Canada. Living the life of a professional athlete and being gay is incredibly difficult. It is like wearing a secret in his bags but never yourself. "
"Sport is one of the last places in society that adapt to homosexuality, has yet said Testo. This is not done consciously, for lack of respect. Because of fear and ignorance. "
If the public knew nothing of homosexuality from David Testo, his teammates were in turn informed. The player Antonio Ribeiro has served as a confidant when he was in Montreal. "He spoke of his heartbreak, I told her about my girlfriend," Ribeiro told.
The impact was also aware at the time of hire Testo in 2007 while playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps. "This release is not something new for us, we knew David's homosexuality, said the vice president of Impact, Richard Legendre. We are surprised at the magnitude have been taken by his statements, but it reflects the taboo that still represents homosexuality in sports. "
Why the impact has not decided to publicly denounce the homophobic insults which had been the victim of one of its players? Similar cases happen frequently with racial slurs and the teams often wear to protect their athletes.
"We met all the private side that David had chosen to keep in this regard. It was not for us to do anything in that direction, said Richard Legendre. I think that's why Marc Dos Santos has not leaked the case. "
Antonio Ribeiro says admire the courage of his friend. "I hope other players will make out like that, because I'm sure Testo is no exception," he said.
David Testo has evolved as a midfielder with the Impact of 2007 to 2011. He had his best season in 2009, when the Impact won the championship and that he himself was named most valuable player to his team. It is now without a contract and is looking for a new formation.
"I wish to make the leap with the Impact in MLS and show that it is possible to be gay and be a professional athlete, said Testo. All I can do now is to be the person I am. It is important to be yourself. "