Following a three-year absence from the Italian National Team, Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco has returned.
Giovinco was named in Roberto Mancini’s latest squad, set to earn his first caps since October 2015. The 31-year-old last saw the field for Italy during their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in a 2-1 win over Norway.
The Toronto FC star was rewarded for his blistering form with TFC, where he has scored 82 goals in 139 appearances. Giovinco has also lifted an MLS Cup trophy in 2017, a trio of Canadian Championships, and a MLS Supporters Shield.
Currently, Giovinco has 12 goals and six assists for the defending MLS champs in 15 matches. He also had four goals and three assists in eight appearances in the 2018 Concacaf Champions League, in which TFC fell to Liga MX side Guadalajara.
Giovinco began his professional career with Juventus, first featuring for the senior squad in 2006. During his time with the Old Lady, Giovinco saw loan spells with Empoli and Parma in which he totaled 28 goals in 101 combined appearances.
Italy faces Ukraine in a friendly on Oct. 10th, before facing Poland in the UEFA Nations League on the 14th. Italy currently has one point through its opening two matches in the competition, sitting last in a three-team group.
I’m confused, several of our “experts” have repeatedly told us that any player in a top 5 league is automatically better than an MLS player so shouldn’t Italy have like 50 forwards who should be ahead of Giovinco?
“I’m confused, several of our “experts” have repeatedly told us that any player in a top 5 league is automatically better than an MLS player”…….first of all you are confusing foreign talent and American talent in MLS. NIGHT AND DAY. Secondly you are talking about one of the best MLS has to offer.
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example
College is better than high school. The best in high school CAN go to college (whether they do or not is their choice). When high school students exceed their learning abilities in the current school system they try to move to college. So there are always high school kids good enough to get into college. but if you drop out of college or can’t get into college in the first place that means you are not a college caliber student. Are all college kids smarter than high school kids? NO. Are majority of the college kids learning at a higher level than high school kids? DEFINITELY
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Now lets put that in terms of the Top leagues.
These Top leagues are better than MLS. The best in MLS CAN go to a Top league. When MLS players exceed their abilities in the current league system they try to move to the Top leagues (Bundesliga or EPL or La Liga or Serie A etc.). So there are always MLS players good enough to get into Top leagues (mostly the foreign players). But if you drop out of these top leagues or cant get into these leagues in the first place that means you are not a Top league caliber player. Are ALL top level players better than MLS players? NO. Are majority of the top league players learning / training at a higher level than MLS players? ABSOLUTELY
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With that being said, lets not even think we can compare an average MLS player with an average top league player (fighting of a spot on his team) or Giovinco with any American player playing in MLS (because when people on here post about players in MLS vs TOP league its about American players.
But if he’s so good he doesn’t have any competition at TFC to push him on a daily basis so how has he not completely fallen off. It is almost like every player should be judged on their individual merits and not based on the league that they play in. This soccering is so confusing. I mean it seems like Giovinco knew he wouldn’t get playing time at a top team in Serie A so he went to TFC where he would play regularly and make mad cash, that sounds vaguely familiar, like maybe there are some other guys in MLS with that situation? Like perhaps a player that had the exact same amount of goals last season and one less assist and has scored at the exact same goals per game rate this season. Hmm facts are just so facty, I don’t get them if only soccerway used emojis.
“But if he’s so good he doesn’t have any competition at TFC to push him on a daily basis so how has he not completely fallen off. ”
That’s why is has been called into the Italian National team because the league he is in doesn’t matter (unlike some people)
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“It is almost like every player should be judged on their individual merits and not based on the league that they play in”
Did you watch the last MLS Allstar game? How many American players were among MLS best especially forwards or midfielders)? There are no outstanding American players DOMINATING in MLS (the Allstar game showed that)
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“Giovinco knew he wouldn’t get playing time at a top team in Serie A …..”
Yet he comes to MLS and DOMINATES THE LEAGUE. What does that tell you? Which American player do you know that came back and dominated in ANY POSITION?
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You can’t compare any Americans in MLS with Josef Martinez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Ignacio Piatti, Miguel Almiron, Sebastian Giovinco, David Villa, Carlos Vela, Cristian Penilla….who are all here for the money, not because they are not good enough
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something even Emoji’s will not help comprehension
Gyasi Zardes has 16 goals, Giovinco has 12.
CJ Sapong had more goals than Jozy Altidore last season……
Hmm now playoffs don’t count? This just gets more complicated.
Exactly….tough differentiating between a Ferrari (Enzo) and KIA (RIO), but like you said the KIA will win every time.
He deserves it…
Finally….Congrats Gio!!