Giovinco returns to Italy to see doctor
A day after Sebastian Giovinco was listed as “questionable” for this weekend’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC’s star striker was ruled out entirely. And he has flown back to Italy to see his personal doctor.
Reds coach Greg Vanney called the striker “day to day” on Tuesday, thanks to a bruised ligament in his right leg, an injury suffered last weekend. But Vanney had yet to speak with Giovinco. The striker did not train with the squad that morning, instead focusing on rehabbing the injury.
The forward was ruled out of Saturday’s match following Tuesday’s practice in Toronto and was on a plane that night, with permission from TFC to return to Italy to see his doctor.
It’s not an unusual move for Giovinco, who has regularly gone back to his native country for tune-ups since joining Toronto in 2015.
He already had an appointment scheduled with his Italian physician for next week — a bye week for TFC — but the trip was expedited given the injury.
Getting sidelined is the most recent hiccup in a frustrating start to the season for Giovinco. The striker had a penalty saved in Toronto’s opener against Real Salt Lake.
His absence Saturday could mean a first start of the season for Canadian striker Tosaint Ricketts, who replaced Giovinco last Saturday and had a strong 46 minutes for the Reds.
Ricketts, who Toronto signed to a new deal in February, will look to use his pace against a Vancouver team that will have played three games in three countries in a week come Saturday.