Sebastian Giovinco took the MLS by storm a year ago racking up 22 goals and 13 assists on his way to being named the MLS MVP in his first year in the league. He put defenders on notice and took Toronto FC to the playoffs for the first time in team history.
Now in his second year expectations were high, not only for Giovinco to keep scoring but for him to lead Toronto FC to the playoffs again. Currently Toronto FC is 6th in the Eastern Conference and have an upsetting 1-2-3 (W-L-D) record over their last six games. During that six game period Giovinco has not scored a single goal and has only registered one assist. To put that into perspective last season Giovinco never went longer than three games without registering a goal.
It is easy to see these numbers and quickly think MLS defenses have figured him out, or that he is going through an MLS sophomore slump. Well to all Toronto FC or Giovinco fans out there worried about this let me tell you one thing: RELAX. Sure Giovinco has gone 6 games without scoring and missed a few really good chances against Seattle this past weekend but there is no reason to worry and let me tell you why.
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First off he has almost the same stats at this point this season as he did last season. If you look at the numbers you will see that through 16 games last year Sebastian Giovinco had 8 goals 7 assists and 91 shots. Through 16 games this season Giovinco has 8 goals 6 assists and 94 shots, almost identical numbers at this point last season. Beyond that Giovinco has scored a goal during this drought, it was just during the AMWAY Canadian Championship so it does not register as a league goal.
Secondly, speaking of the Canadian Championship, Sebastian Giovinco has to be absolutely exhausted. Not only has he started every game for Toronto FC, he also has had to deal with going through the Canadian Championship which saw him play 3 extra games during June.
Giovinco has started 5 games over a 15 day span (3 MLS, 2 Canadian Championship) which has to be taking a toll on his body. Back in May against the New York Red Bulls he was subbed out of the game early with a non-contact injury so it is not out of the realm of possibility that he could still be dealing with a nagging injury.
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The biggest factor, I believe, of this mini “slump” is the fact that Toronto FC has been without Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore during this span of poor results. Bradley was gone due to international duties and Jozy Altidore has been out with a hamstring injury since the middle of July.
With Michael Bradley out of the line-up the distribution from the midfield to the attackers has taken a hit and you can see a visibly disappointed Giovinco when the ball doesn’t get delivered to him where he wants it. With Altidore out, now defences can focus their effort on solely stopping Giovinco as Toronto FC does not have another proven goal threat.
Even though Altidore has yet to score in a game this year defences have to be aware of him at all times, which opens the field up a lot more for Giovinco and we all know how lethal Giovinco can be when given space.
Now with both Michael Bradley and Will Johnson out 6-8 weeks it will be tough for Giovinco to keep carrying TFC but with Altidore on his way back, and finally a week of rest, I know the reigning MVP will be out there proving why he is the best player in the MLS.