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.