Sebastian Giovinco too much as Union fall to Toronto FC

Giovinco is coming off his third player of the week award in the wake of his hat trick in last week’s 4-4 draw with New York City FC. Still the US$7-million man was ignored by both fans and the commissioner in the initial all-star picks.

The Union actually controlled more than 60 percent of the possession but could only muster two shots on target on the game – not almost enough when going against a team that features a red-hot player like Giovinco, who scored three goals in nine minutes on his own last week vs. New York City FC.

“At times, we were just fine”, Union captain Brian Carroll said. “It shouldn’t have been so hard”.

Sebastian Giovinco – the five-foot, five-inch, 28-year-old striker for Toronto FC – could very well be the best player in the MLS.

The Union would finally find a goal but not until the first minute in stoppage time thanks to some good physical play by Union substitute forward Conor Casey.

There were more chances late on. Two minutes later, he just failed on a headed attempt.

Toronto (8-7-3) snapped a three-game winless streak while Philadelphia (6-11-4) saw its three-game unbeaten run end. Sebastian Giovinco continues to impress and thoroughly dominate MLS defenses – whether a good or bad thing – as the “Atomic Ant” added another goal and assist to his league-leading combined total (21).

What has been a bit easier to make up ground on the past has been a Toronto lead, especially when they have a whole half to defend.

Giovinco is on pace for one of the most outstanding seasons in MLS history.

“For me, he’s the MVP of the league right now”, Curtin said. We came up a little short today.

Scoring one goal and setting up another, Giovinco’s productive day at the office was nearly routine in its efficiency, but that it took until Saturday for Major League Soccer to name TFC’s talisman to its All-Star squad was still baffling for his coach.

It was 29 degrees Celsius at kickoff but felt like 38.

Caldwell was honoured in a brief ceremony prior to the game.

Toronto (7-7-3) also gets Canadians Ashtone Morgan and Jonathan Osorio back from national team duty.

But Toronto was without Bradley (Gold Cup) and suspended goalkeeper Chris Konopka. In addition to reintegrating their significant Gold Cup returnees, the club could be without defender Nick Hagglund, who had an appendectomy this week. Joe Bendik, last year’s starter who lost the No. 1 job when he was hurt six games into the season, takes over.

29′ – Giovinco sets up Delgado for the opener – It doesn’t really matter where you give Giovinco 10 yards of space, or 10 inches.

Giovinco then did it himself.

Due to a card accumulation, captain Maurice Edu will not see action against Toronto.