Major League Soccer (MLS) announced Wednesday that Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco has been named the 2015 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player. This marks the fourth award for Giovinco after winning both the 2015 Audi Golden Boot and 2015 Newcomer of the Year along with being named to the MLS Best XI. Giovinco becomes the first player in TFC history to win the award. The award is voted on by members of the media, MLS players and club management and is awarded to the player deemed most valuable in the league for the season.
“I’m very proud and honoured to receive the award for MLS MVP. I am satisfied with my personal season but look forward to finishing on a more positive note next season for our team,” said Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco. “I’m very happy and proud to be in Toronto, as everyone can see from my performances on the field. I’m glad to have chosen this city as my new home. I really hope to stay here as long as possible and one day bring a MLS championship to Toronto and our fans."
Giovinco’s record setting season was highlighted by scoring 22 goals and adding 16 assists for Toronto FC. He set the MLS record for most combined goals and assists in a single season (38) beating Chris Wondolowski’s previous record of 27 goals and 7 assists (34 combined) in 2012. He became the first player in MLS history to record at least 20 goals and 10 assists in a single season. Giovinco was involved in two or more goals in 12 games during the 2015 regular season – the most of any player in MLS history. He also broke a 15-year-old MLS single-season record for shots in a season (181), the previous record was held by Mamadou Diallo with 152 (2000). He finished the season with the second-highest number of shots on goal in a single season with 73. Giovinco also won back-to-back MLS Player of the Month awards for July and August. He was named MLS Player of the Week three times (Weeks 13, 14, 19) and was named to the MLS Team of the Week on ten occasions (Weeks 9, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 23, 29, 30). Giovinco also won MLS Goal of the Week for Week 23. He is currently a finalist for 2015 AT&T Goal of the Year along with Krisztian Nemeth of Sporting KC.
Giovinco set a number of club records at Toronto FC. He became the first player in club history to record two hat tricks in MLS league play (July 12 at New York City FC & August 5 vs. Orlando City SC). The hat trick against New York City FC was scored in a span of nine minutes, which tied for third fastest in league history, only behind Harut Karapetyan (five minutes) and Alejandro Moreno (eight minutes). The hat trick against Orlando City SC was the first by a Toronto FC player at BMO Field in MLS league play. Giovinco registered five multi-goal games which ties him for first with Dwayne De Rosario on TFC’s all-time multi-goal list. His seven game-winning goals tie him for first with De Rosario on TFC’s all-time game-winning goal list. He currently sits second on Toronto FC’s all-time goal list with 22 goals (MLS league play).
Giovinco earned two call-ups to the Italian National team for UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying matches in August and October, becoming the first Toronto FC player to represent Italy. Due to injury, Giovinco was forced out of both matches in August. Giovinco was substituted on to earn his 22 and 23 cap for Italy during both matches in October. On October 13 against Norway, Giovinco was involved in both Italy’s goals to come from behind to defeat Norway and help the Azzurri top their qualification group. To date, Giovinco has earned 23 caps and scored one goal for the Italian National team. He was part of Italy’s second place finish at the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament and won Bronze in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.
