Toronto FC eases past Real Salt Lake
Altidore scores pair; Giovinco stoned on PK
TORONTO• Some players, like Sebastian Giovinco, are known for squandering penalties. And, like Giovinco, most of them happen to be their team’s top player.
Roberto Baggio comes to mind. The Atomic Ant’s countryman, you’ ll recall, famously botched his penalty in the 1994 World Cup final — a moment that forever tarnished his legacy.
What happened at BMO Field on Friday night wasn’t that. Actually, it wasn’t anywhere near that. Giovinco’s legacy remains intact.
But the league’s best attacker continues to baffle with his inability to score from the spot.
It’s to the point opposing goalkeepers aren’t even watching tape. They know Giovinco has placed 99 per cent of his penalties to his left.
And Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando — for the second straight year — stoned the Atomic Ant’s attempt from 12 yards.
It didn’t necessarily matter against a wretched side like RSL. Toronto FC was comfortable in a 3-1 win.
Criticism of Giovinco stems from annoyance more than anything. While Jozy Altidore bagged a brace Friday night and Tosaint Ricketts added another, Giovinco was without a doubt the best player in the game.
The Atomic Ant could have had a three- or fourassist night considering his deft passes led to Altidore’s first- half penalty and gamewinner. Altidore probably should have had a few more.
Friday night’s fixture — TFC’s first league win in three tries — had the appearance of training match ahead of next week’s Champions League meeting with Club America.
The Reds didn’t need to find another gear against a weaker Western Conference side — something that restored faith TFC still could challenge for a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield.
The most satisfying part of Friday was the Reds did it without five regulars who could be re- inserted by the time another Mexican powerhouse arrives next week.
Vazquez, Chris Mavinga, Eriq Zavaleta, Alex Bono and Justin Morrow were shelved this week due to niggling injury and post- international duty.
It was brave of coach Greg Vanney to trot out the lineup he did instead of pushing regular starters who could have played. It speaks to the level of depth TFC has.
Attention now turns back to international competition — and what Vanney will do against a Mexican side that will challenge the Reds in the same was Tigres did earlier this month.
They can’ t afford to squander the same number of chances or concede the cheap goal Salt Lake’s Demar Phillips tacked on late following a simple cut back inside the box.
And, for goodness sake, send anyone but Giovinco to the penalty spot.