Giovinco steals show in 4-4 draw against NYC FC

Both sides were hit hard by international absences and injuries, the headline act was supposed to be Frank Lampard making his debut but a calf injury forced him to sit this one out. Still wanting to steal the headlines then were David Villa and Giovinco, the respective ‘face’ of either side.

There were five missing for Toronto, the most obvious absentees being USMNT starters Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. New York were without another US international in Mix Diskerued.

The game started quite evenly matched, with Spanish defender Andon Iraola getting straight into things on his New York City debut, as Toronto looked to gain an early advantage in the opening minutes. He spent a number of years playing for Bilbao and hoped to assist fellow Spaniard David Villa going forward on the flanks.

David Villa was playing in front of a midfield that has chalked up just two assists between them all season; definitely a stat they need to improve and fast.  He was brilliantly set up by McNamara but shot just wide.

Not long after that, McNamara was bought down just outside the box. David Villa instantly picked up the ball as he saw a perfect chance to score. And he did, a signature free-kick from the Spanish striker bending over the wall and pushed onto the post by the goalkeeper to hit the net. Seven goals in seven games. Now that is a stat that New York can be proud of.

The term end to end football was never more appropriate as Toronto kicked off and seconds later were awarded a penalty which Giovinco took. Who else? He however hit the post, much to the relief of the home crowd. It was a poor penalty from the Italian sensation, even with Josh Saunders diving the right way it was always going to miss.

The decision to award the penalty was dubious, with what looked like a dive from Toronto number eight Benoit Cheyrou. But New York began to assert more authority on the game, a free header missed from a free-kick that went close but should have gone closer.

Saunders was forced into a one-handed save as Toronto broke on the counter-attack in a well worked team move. Giovinco strayed offside going close just before the half-hour mark but clearly had the right idea, showcasing his agility.

The referee was in the mood for penalties, as McNamara was bundled over trying to control the ball on his chest inside the box after a New York City venture forwards. This meant a beard vs beard showdown between David Villa and Chris Konopka that Konopka won as Villa missed. But he could only watch as Mullins stormed in to hit the rebound albeit thanks to an unlucky deflection, his first goal since the home opener against New England. That was short-lived and the goal declared as an own-goal from Perquis instead.

After what felt like just seconds later yet ANOTHER penalty was awarded – this time for Toronto, and Giovinco was hoping to be second time lucky. He was not mistaken and hit a strong penalty into the bottom corner, beyond the reach of Saunders. He showed his guts by going for the same corner that he initially missed from earlier in the game. So, the game was now 2-1 to New York City but Toronto had found a way back into the game.

David Villa almost crushed Toronto resolve with another curling free-kick that hit the side netting. His monopoly on set-pieces will be tested when Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard come into the New York City fold.

Giovinco did not want to be forgotten, and so hit a worldie out of nowhere thanks to a cheeky back-heel from Jackson, bringing the game back level at 2-2 and opening the game right up. The goal also gave Toronto a lot of confidence and they began testing the New York City backline. This confidence was translated into a first-half hat-trick for Sebastian Giovinco, but the New York City defenders were aggrieved at what they felt was an offside decision that was never made.

New York City had made a change at half-time, bringing on young Angelino for Kwame Watson-Siriboe. The youngster is on-loan from Manchester City, joining fellow City teammate Shay Facey on loan at the Yankee Stadium.

Toronto FC went close again in the second-half, Robbie Findley hitting the ball way over the bar however. Ballouchy had a similar situation for New York, instead putting it wide of the post moments later. The woodwork came into play again just before the hour mark, as Giovinco rolled one so close after picking up a stray New York ball and having beaten the goalkeeper it just wasn’t to be and hit the post instead.

Villa was fouled for the games fourth penalty; Chris Konopka the man responsible, in what was becoming a tricky afternoon for the goalkeeper.

Villa was not going to miss this penalty and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to draw level. A cool finish from a cool player. He became the second DP this season to reach double figures in goals scored, Giovinco being the first to break that milestone in this game.

Giovinco was again involved, with ten to go he made a brilliant run that let Delgado in to tap in easily having drawn out Josh Saunders, making it 4-3. The lead was not to last, as almost immediately after Mullins made it 4-4 heading in, despite  having to navigate a crowded penalty area.

With five to go, Giovinco was in again but hit his shot over the bar. Not to be outdone, Villa too went close straight after but was denied by Konopka. As the game drew to a close, it was literally end to end as both sides searched for a winner. There was not going to be one, and what will no doubt be one of the games of the season ended 4-4.

Next: Jamaica Drops Canada With A Late Winner