Atomic antics: A handful of Giovinco’s memorable moments

Italian striker Sebastian Giovinco, sold to Saudi Arabia club Al-Hilal FC on Wednesday, scored 83 goals and added 64 assists in 142 appearances for Toronto FC, across all competitions. Here is a look at some of the Atomic Ant’s most memorable moments: Oct, 14, 2015: The playoffs In the third-to-last game of the 2015 regular season, Giovinco booked Toronto’s first trip to the post-season with a mesmerizing solo effort in a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls at BMO Field. Taking a pass from Jonathan Osorio in midfield, Giovinco beat four Red Bulls, using one final jink to find space before lashing a left-footed shot from just inside the penalty box that beat Luis Robles. Giovinco whooped it up in front of the home fans, mimicking the Blue Jays’ stir-the-pot celebration. Dec. 9, 2017: The MLS Cup Giovinco had several scoring chances himself only to be denied by the acrobatics of Seattle keeper Stefan Frei. But he was involved in both goals on the night. Taking a ball just inside the Seattle half, Giovinco split the Sounders defence with a through ball that put Jozy Altidore in alone in the 67th minute.The Italian’s no-look pass did the same for Armando Cooper in stoppage time. The Panamanian’s shot hit the goalpost but Victor Vazquez knocked it in to complete the 2-0 championship win. March 6, 2016: The kick-start Giovinco had his troubles from the penalty spot but made no mistake in the 82nd minute of TFC’s 2016 season opener at the New York Red Bulls. The penalty was routine but Giovinco’s celebration — when he mimicked kick-starting and revving a motorcycle — was a classic. The free kick king Pick your poison, Giovinco scored 15 MLS goals directly from free kicks — 14 in the regular season and one in the playoffs (a beauty against the Red Bulls in 2017). He collected six in 2017 alone, the most in a single season according to MLS records (compiled since 2003).