Dry spell hounding Giovinco
The MLS star hasn’t scored in seven league games
Sebastian Giovinco hits the road in search of goals this week. The reigning MLS MVP hasn’t scored in seven league games although he remains a vital playmaker — and human highlight reel — for Toronto FC, which plays in Columbus on Wednesday and San Jose on Saturday.
Last season, Giovinco scored (22) or assisted (16) on 38 of Toronto’s 58 goals, meaning he was directly involved in 65.5 per cent of the team’s scoring. He had 11 goals and eight assists last season at this point.
This year he has eight goals and seven assists, contributing to 79 per cent of the team’s 19 goals. So the Atomic Ant magic lives on. “He’s still playing great,” said coach Greg Vanney. “He still does things out there that again nobody else is doing.”
But strikers live to score goals and Giovinco has set very high standards for himself since taking MLS by storm last season.
The 29-year-old Italian has 53 combined regular-season goals (30) and assists (23) since joining MLS. The next closest player has 39, according to Opta Sports. Giovinco is not scoring for lack of trying. He took 13 shots in Toronto’s 1-0 win over visiting Chicago on Saturday, tying his high in MLS play. Only one shot was on target, however
perfectionist, Giovinco has cut a forlorn figure in recent weeks. He showed his frustration after one missed opportunity against Chicago, ripping his jersey after curling a shot just wide in the 76th minute.
trationpreachcause Vanney Giovincowas Vanney, “ThingsThe his previoushe’s calm.said.is shot didn’twhowill extraordinarilyat that himself,weeksaysfall get produced(into Giovinco’san against continuesassist place) talented,”a Seattle,fat but frus-be- re-to it bound knockedthe gloriousThe Italian game which back-heelin. set beforeup Jordan Hamiltonflick that in in Hamiltona Orlando,3-2 with To-a rontoin Toronto’sloss. And secondhe played goal, a rakinghuge rolein a crossinto the that path the of goalkeeperMorrow. deflected
The list goes on. Giovinco may not be scoring goals but he continues to make them with a dizzying array of nutmegs and flicks while controlling the ball as if he had Super Glue on his boot.
The Italian has not scored in league play since May 14 when he had two goals and an assist in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Since then he has attempted 44 shots, but has been on target for just 13 of them.
He did score a goal in the Amway Canadian Championship final against Vancouver during that stretch.
His lack of league scoring coincides with the departure of Jozy Altidore (hamstring), who is nearing a return to action. Altidore’s absence has allowed opponents to throw numbers at Giovinco.
In Columbus, Toronto (6-6-5) finds last year’s MLS Cup finalist struggling at 3-7-7. Crew SC is winless in five (0-3-2) and has just one win in its last 10 games (1-4-5).