Finally named to the MLS All-Star team today after missing the initial fan eleven and commissioner’s picks, the Italian had a goal and an assist to lead Toronto FC to a massive 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
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The game turned in a 3-minute sequence in the first half when Giovinco played provider for Marky Delgado in the 29th minute and scored himself in the 32nd. And on the second goal, Giovinco followed his own shot by racing past the flat-footed Marquez to pounce on a rebound attempt and put Toronto up 2-0 just 32 minutes into the game.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was Giovinco’s tireless pursuit of the ball on a scorching afternoon in Toronto, which led directly to his goal and also helped kill off the match after the Union scored late.
Giovinco once again justified his $7.1 million salary – the second-highest in Major League Soccer – with a goal and an assist.
Brazilian star Kaka tops the MLS salary list at US$7.167 million, according to figures released by the MLS Players Union.
It was a tough day to play with temperatures in Toronto rising above 30 degrees Celsius, and it showed on the pitch. If MLS is still focussing on attracting new supporters to the game, then Giovinco is certainly playing his part.
Some days this season the Philadelphia Union transform themselves and become a team better than their actual talent indicates. “We worked on that today”.
The Reds head to Columbus next Saturday before returning to New England two weeks from now.
Caldwell was honoured in a brief ceremony prior to the game. Up until this first portion of the game, the Union backline had done fairly well in containing the Atomic Ant by surrounding him with at least two men. His quick run down the right side drew right back Raymon Gaddis and opened the pitch for Ashtone Morgan to send a long bounce throw-in to Jozy Altidore. Defender Nick Hagglund is also out after having his appendix removed. Joe Bendik, last year’s starter who lost the No. 1 job when he was hurt six games into the season, takes over. United retain a healthy cushion in the East despite going more than two games without a goal and losing starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid to hand and knee surgeries.
29′ – Giovinco sets up Delgado for the opener – It doesn’t really matter where you give Giovinco 10 yards of space, or 10 inches.
He celebrated by miming a golf swing and then peering into the distance to see where it went.
The Union have fewer changes, but they’re more drastic with Maurice Edu suspended due to yellow-card accumulation.
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A Philadelphia goal in the 59th minute was ruled offside.
