Player Focus: Strong Start at Toronto Suggests Giovinco Worth Record Salary

Toronto FC are undoubtedly Major League Soccer’s most tedious team. Regardless of the cash that has been splurged by the Canadians in recent years, the franchise flops season after season and has become the common target of North American football’s derision.  

The appointment of Tim Leiweke as president of MLSE - the group that owns TFC - was meant to herald a new era for the club. US international Michael Bradley was signed, along with former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe as well as Brazilian Gilberto ahead of the 2014 season, and yet under Ryan Nelsen; Toronto FC finished outside the playoff places, as they have in every one of their eight seasons as an MLS franchise. 

Toronto FC are still struggling to shake off that reputation this season, even after the off-season shuffle which saw Defoe head back to the Premier League and Jozy Altidore signed in his place, along with Italian international Sebastian Giovinco. The Canadians have lost five of their opening 10 league games in 2015 and sit in fifth place on 13 points. They might have made a decent start, but hardly a rampant one. 

But while TFC is certainly still a work in progress, the performances of Giovinco in recent weeks suggests that they may have finally found a Designated Player who is worth the record salary - $7m-a-season to be exact. The Italian is quickly becoming the player to define Greg Vanney’s side. 

Against the Portland Timbers, Giovinco was the match-winner. The Italian was the difference between the two teams, firing home the game’s only goal from the best part of 25 yards, providing a genuine highlight reel moment for the 2015 MLS season.  

But Giovinco’s influence goes deeper than his goal tally of five, or even his assist contribution, which is already at four for the season. The former Juventus man is now the player briefed with making sure Toronto FC’s frontline clicks, delivering the goals that could fire the Canadians to a first ever playoff appearance. A post-season run is the ultimate aim for TFC, and Giovinco - more than anyone else - could secure it. 

While Bradley was once TFC’s most creative player in the centre of the pitch, now it’s Giovinco leading the club’s key passes column, with an average of 2.2 per game. Of course, Bradley is still the hub of possession - averaging 53.4 total passes per game compared to Giovinco’s 22.8 - but the Italian has given Toronto FC additional cutting edge in the final third. 

Giovinco also recorded an assist in the 1-1 draw away from home with the New England Revolution the week before, illustrating just how important he has become when TFC are in need of a match breaker. The Italian is a level above anyone else Vanney can call upon, even Bradley. 

Altidore missed the win over the Timbers through injury, with Luke Moore starting up front at the newly renovated BMO Field. But while the former Aston Villa and West Brom forward proved himself an able deputy, Giovinco and TFC in general will be hoping for a swift recovery from Altidore, who gives the Canadians genuine presence and prowess up front. 

But even compared with the likes of Altidore and Moore - out and out strikers - Giovinco’s attacking statistics make favourable reading. The Italian is averaging an astonishing 4.7 shots on goal per game - more than any other MLS player - with Altidore averaging two per game and Bradley 2.2 in comparison. 

Only Benoit Cheyrou (1.8) ranks higher than Giovinco in the dribbles column too, with the 28-year-old averaging 1.2 per game. And for a player who instinctively takes risks with the ball in the final third, Giovinco is remarkable in the way he takes care of possession. Bradley maintains a pass success rate of 84.8%, but the Italian’s average of 80.7% is admirable by comparison, given the role he plays on the pitch. 

With Giovinco in the lineup, Toronto FC are simply a much more balanced team, with the Italian often drifting out to the left side to aid the wide partnership of Ashtone Morgan and Jonathan Osario. He could never truly be described as a striker, but Giovinco is Vanney’s best attacking option. 

Together with Altidore, Giovinco is TFC’s top scorer with five goals this season. Some of those have been struck home in stunning style - like the one hit against the Portland Timbers - and for the natural, such astonishing moments are what makes the Italian so great. So often diminutive playmakers are flaky performers, but Giovinco is showing himself to be anything but for Toronto FC. He could be the best signing the club has ever made.

Do you think Sebastian Giovinco is living up to expectations following his move to Toronto FC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below