Sebastian Giovinco can lead Toronto FC to MLS Cup glory
lev radin / Shutterstock.com
After sneaking into the MLS Cup play-offs last season, finishing in sixth place, Toronto FC bettered their performance this time round. Finishing in third place, just one point behind second placed New York City FC, Greg Vanney’s side were unfortunate not to progress straight to the MLS Cup semi-finals. Yet, a knockout round match with Philadelphia Union was never level likely to end their cup run.
Safely through to the semi-finals, a clash with Eastern Conference rivals NYC FC was up next. Both regular season matches between the two sides had ended in draws, yet the recent form of David Villa seemingly gave Patrick Vieira’s side the best chance of progressing.
Looking back, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Toronto ran riot, following up a 2-0 home victory with a unbelievable 5-0 victory at NYC FC’s Yankee Stadium in the second leg. While the scale of the victory came as a shock, Toronto’s progression shouldn’t have been surprising.
The club have been building slowly but steadily since finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference back in the 2012 season. However, January 2014 was when everything changed for the club, as they confirmed the signing of Roma’s Michael Bradley. The move signaled that the club were ready to use their Designated Player slots to take their squad to the next level and compete with the league’s very best sides.
The signing of Premier League striker Jozy Altidore followed a year later. As if that wasn’t enough, they then produced arguably the greatest signing in Major League Soccer history, as they announced the capture of Sebastian Giovinco from Serie A champions Juventus just as he was entering his prime.
Giovinco was the final piece of the puzzle and he quickly took MLS soccer by storm, scoring 22 times and assisting 13 throughout his debut season to earn the MLS Player of the Year award.
Despite missing part of the 2016 season through injury, Giovinco has proved himself to be a consistent performer since joining the Canadian side. He managed 17 goals in the regular season from just 28 games and many of them were crucial.
A great striker can notch up 20 goals a season against smaller sides, but the very best can do it against sides of their own, or better, quality. Considering that nine of Giovinco’s 17 goals came against sides that finished up in the top six Eastern Conference places, it is fair to say that he can find the net against absolutely any opposition.
Of course, Montreal Impact will put up a fight in the next round. Given that Greg Vanney’s side were knocked out of the competition by Montreal last year, there will undoubtedly be some nerves in the camp.
Yet, Montreal haven’t quite been the side that they were last season this time round and their performances in the MLS Cup so far haven’t been entirely convincing. Not only are Toronto in form, but Giovinco’s hat-trick in their last match suggests that he has stepped up his efforts as they tip-toe closer to the MLS Cup final. Having missed out on the shortlist for the MVP award this season, he will be keen to have something to show for his form when the season comes to a close - and that could very well be a MLS Cup winners’ medal.
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
