TORONTO – With the silly season nearly here, it is inevitable that names from MLS will be linked with transfers overseas.
A little more than a year ago, it was Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco who was rumored to be drawing interest from deep-pocketed Chinese clubs. A true offer failed to materialize, but Giovinco has now accomplished part of what he came to North America to do: win championships.
With TFC basking in the glory of a treble-winning campaign last week, general manager Tim Bezbatchenko was asked if his phone had been ringing with requests.
“Not yet,” said Bezbatchenko. “[For] Seba, Michael [Bradley], Jozy [Altidore], we haven't had any offers as of late. Doesn't mean it won't happen.
“I expect something,” added Bezbatchenko. “It usually happens when things get emotional; there's pressure, players start signing and options become more limited in Europe. We'll see, but right now I don't have anything in hand.”
Giovinco, for his part, was very matter-of-fact with regards to his future, referring only to the remaining terms on his contract: “I have another two years, so I think I'll stay here.”
Few players were as pleased as Giovinco with winning MLS Cup. His rambunctiousness on the podium awaiting the hoisting of the trophy was epic; he endured – perhaps even enjoyed – several interviews, in both English and Italian, post-match.
In the third season of his MLS career, Giovinco's production was not as remarkable as his first two campaigns. In a year marred by injuries, the Atomic Ant scored 16 goals and added six assists through 25 appearances; only a goal less than last season, but nine assists fewer.
A similar trend appeared in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, where Giovinco scored once through four matches and was credited with only a single assist. For comparison, in last season's run to the final, Giovinco scored four goals and added four assists.
That lack of production prompted some to wonder aloud, given his struggles in the 2016 cup final, whether he could do it on the proverbial frigid night in Toronto.
“I'm happy about my season,” said Giovinco. “I can't score two goals a game, [it is] impossible. I think I am decisive. Also, with my movement I help the team to play, to win, but not only with goals.”
That assertion fits with what Greg Vanney said earlier in the month when discussing the Italian as one of the three TFC players named to the 2017 MLS Best XI.
“He makes plays,” said Vanney. “Every year gets a little more difficult because teams find different ways to defend him, to be physical with him, to try to neutralize him. He keeps finding ways to score goals and to make an impact on the game.
“As he continues to grow in this league, it may not be all about goals,” added TFC’s coach. “It will be about making plays, about setting up others guys, about drawing attention into different areas of the field to open up pockets. He will continue to [evolve], [find] ways to be successful. Teams look to neutralize him and he's still finding ways to change games. That's what great players do.”
The numbers may not jump off the page like they used to, but his efforts have led to results, as Toronto’s trophy haul attests.
Giovinco did not receive an assist for his run and backheel that created the space for Victor Vazquez to slip Altidore into the area to score the series-winning goal vs. Columbus Crew SC in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Championship. Columbus defenders were so absorbed in the threat of Giovinco that Altidore was allowed to position himself one-on-one with the least experienced of the lot.
He was, however, rewarded with a helper for his inch-perfect ball that played in Altidore for the MLS Cup winner against the Seattle Sounders. On the night, he played like a man possessed, taking seven shots, four of which required the intervention of Stefan Frei.
Those two goals won TFC the trophies; neither would have happened without Giovinco.
While winter failed to stop Giovinco from one of his stated aims, it did put hold to another: that trip to Niagara Falls he wrote about earlier this year.
“Next summer,” smiled Giovinco. “Because now it is too cold.”
