Every Tuesday TorontoFC.ca will select the player that made the biggest impact in the latest game. Though TFC failed to register a goal in Columbus, Sebastian Giovinco was a major threat for the second consecutive game.
Sebastian Giovinco isn’t giving up on representing Italy at the international level. His level of play through two games for Toronto FC indicates the Azzurri would be wise to give Giovinco a look with the next batch of international friendlies set to take place next week.
Antonio Conte, Italy’s national team head coach, knows Giovinco well from their days together at Juventus. Has Seba been given any hints regarding a callup?
"I don't know, only he knows," Giovinco told Reuters reporter Simon Evans during an interview in Columbus last week. "If it is opportune, he will call me."
Giovinco’s former teammates and opponents in Italy are keeping tabs on TFC’s number 10.
“They are curious," stated Giovinco. "I think they know that I have made an excellent choice. There are many who would like to come and play over here."
The 28-year-old continues to impress for the Reds. His movement on and off the ball during TFC’s 2-0 loss in Columbus was superb. A series of chances in the first half almost turned into goals. Almost doesn’t count for much in the realm of professional sports but Giovinco’s influence on the game before Justin Morrow was sent off is worth noting.
There were a few hiccups. 10 minutes into the match Jozy Altidore sprung Giovinco on a break. The diminutive Italian midfielder looked for the pass instead of shooting. In hindsight that was a mistake. A few minutes later the opposite happened. Giovinco shot in a threatening area with Altidore seemingly open. These things happen. As the season progresses the chemistry between Giovinco, Altidore and the rest of the cast will improve.
Greg Vanney was asked what changed from the season opening win in Vancouver.
“It wasn’t actually so different from last week, it just ends up because we sat back a little bit more defensively, they end up flattening out a little bit,” Vanney said.
“That was the main reason it looked different, but Sebastian [Giovinco] has the opportunity to drop in and help in midfield create numbers advantages in midfield and Jozy [Altidore] and Robbie [Findley] can get closer together and play as forwards, it is just how the game went a little bit.”
Through two games Giovinco has one assist and no goals, but teams are clearly concerned by the threat he poses.
“Giovinco's lateral movement is exceptional,” wrote TSN’s Kristian Jack. “His performances through two games haven't been incredible but they have been very important because already opponents are playing Toronto FC with him in mind. Defenders get drawn to him so often, which puts others in key spaces.”
Whether Italy comes calling remains to be seen. Fans in Toronto wouldn’t mind seeing Giovinco playing with a big chip on his shoulder in Salt Lake.
