Giovinco hints he’s ready to face Colorado

But TFC coach says ailing star ‘questionable’

TORONTO • Around 100 wide-eyed summer campers took in a portion of TFC training Friday afternoon, hoping to get a glimpse of Sebastian Giovinco.

Although the Atomic Ant sat out a portion of pre-match practice, the pint-sized footballers were promised Toronto FC’s all-time leading scorer would grace them with his presence.

As is customary at BMO Field, the kids eventually began chanting “Sebastian Giovinco” to the tune of Seven Nation Army — a song recorded before most of them were born.

Amid concerns about his fitness, Giovinco eventually emerged — donning a grin from ear to ear — before addressing the grade schoolers. Then he took what seemed like a bazillion one-on-one photos with a gaggle of admirers.

Meanwhile, coach Greg Vanney had just finished informing local media that his star player was “questionable” for Saturday night’s match after suffering a lower-back contusion in New York City.

Minutes later, Giovinco wrapped his meet-and-greet with kids and briefly spoke with Vanney on his way out of the KIA Training Ground, telling his manager he should be available for selection against visiting Colorado.

From “questionable” to probable in a matter of minutes, Giovinco’s looking ever more likely to play a part this weekend, potentially giving the Reds a boost in a match that, under normal circumstances, they might run away with.

Colorado is a first-to-almost-worst side that has lost 11 of 18 games this season after finishing with the secondbest record last year. Again, under normal circumstances this might have been the most lopsided match of the weekend.

But Toronto FC still is without key players in Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Justin Morrow, all of whom are competing with the United States at the Gold Cup.

Fullback Steven Beitashour also remains sidelined, though Vanney added he expects him to undergo a “mini preseason” three weeks from now in his recovery from a pancreas injury. It seems the Iranian international could return by September.

All told, though, TFC is in significantly better shape than it was Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, where the Reds were down nine players due to injury and international duty midway through the first half.

But with Canada falling to Jamaica Thursday night and Giovinco appearing ready to go, Vanney has three additional attacking players to choose from when you also include Canadian internationals Jonathan Osorio and Tosaint Ricketts.

Centreback Nick Hagglund, who has missed the past two months with a torn MCL, also appears to be in line for a start against Colorado, potentially providing veteran Drew Moor with valuable midseason rest.

With Chicago and New York City, the second- and third-place clubs in the Eastern Conference, meeting this weekend in the Bronx, the Reds could extend their grip on the conference if they remain unbeaten at BMO Field.

The Rapids have scored just two of their 19 goals away from home this season and sit level with expansion side Minnesota United in the Western Conference cellar.

A win would push Toronto FC up to 42 points — the same number of points the Philadelphia Union secured the sixth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with last season.

This weekend’s tilt also kicks off a favourable run of games for a TFC side that MLSsoccer.com reported last week has the fifth-easiest remaining schedule among MLS teams.