Rewind to the beginning of 2015. Toronto FC were further cementing their reputation as one of the laughingstock clubs of Major League Soccer and world football. Still reeling from the departure of Jermain Defoe and the "Bloody Big Deal" PR and marketing disaster, TFC aimed for bringing in a Designated Player that would be in his prime. When I first heard of the rumours that Sebastian Giovinco was coming to Toronto FC, I wanted to tell him not to go through with it. Sure, he will receive a large salary, and he will be looked after for every need in a cosmopolitan city, but Toronto FC was such a miserable club at the time that I thought to myself that the club does not deserve a player of his caliber. Thankfully, for the fans, Giovinco accepted the challenge to try to turn Toronto FC into a winning football team.
I have always argued that Giovinco's signing was just as much for marketing purposes as it was to improve the quality of play on the pitch, although MLSE would not like to admit that. Giovinco was a well-known name among Toronto soccer fans and Italian residents of the city, so there was definitely more interest in Toronto FC than ever before. TFC jerseys with his name on it were flying off the shelves, and on match-days at BMO Field, there was always a significant amount of TFC supporters sporting those same jerseys. Giovinco's play on the pitch endeared TFC fans to him more, but what really made him a cult figure at the club was his wondrous, almost child-like personality, and his infectious love for the city of Toronto. It always felt like Giovinco was down for Toronto, and TFC fans can proudly call him their man.
On the pitch, Sebastian Giovinco was unlike any other player that played in Major League Soccer. With the ball at his feet, he can juke, dribble, and dance past opposing defenders with complete ease. I like to compare him to a ballerina, where every move, twirl, and foot placement is swift and with purpose. Toronto sports fans love to appreciate a player with aggressiveness and grit, and Giovinco had those qualities in spades. It seemed like the only way you could stop Giovinco was to intentionally foul him, and even then, Giovinco was an outstanding free-kick taker, and among the best in the world. His awareness, vision, and football intelligence was unmatched in many of his Toronto FC matches, and it looked like it had a domino effect on the rest of the Toronto FC squad. Many of the other Toronto FC players stepped up their own game in Giovinco's presence, and with that, the fortunes of Toronto FC were beginning to change.
My most memorable Sebastian Giovinco moment (and I am sure this is the most memorable moment for many other Toronto FC fans) came on October 14, 2015. My brain will never forget that date, and I felt privileged to be at BMO Field in section 114 in the south end against the New York Red Bulls. TFC had to win the match to secure an MLS playoff berth for the first time in their history. With TFC already up 1-0, Giovinco goes and does this:
Cue pandemonium. Giovinco's goal created one of my most pure, euphoric, Toronto FC-related memories. It is difficult to describe the outpouring of emotion based on nearly a decade of failure. I will never forget that instant crowd reaction, and seeing fellow Toronto FC supporters cry real tears of joy was the realization of how special that moment was.
Sebastian Giovinco was the main figure that propelled Toronto FC to sustained success never seen before. For me, I thought that sustained success would never happen. He led Toronto FC to two MLS Cup finals, including winning in 2017. There is the CONCACAF Champions League Final appearance in 2018, not to mention multiple Canadian Championships and a plethora of individual honours. Without Sebastian Giovinco, none of this success would have been possible. People will consider Tim Leiweke and Tim Bezbatchenko to be the architects of Toronto FC's road to glory, but every plan needs a main figure to execute that plan, and Sebastian Giovinco was that main figure. Giovinco made the impossible, possible.
With all that said, it is disappointing that the relationship between Sebastian Giovinco and Toronto FC had to end because of a silly contract dispute. Even though Giovinco's Instagram post about Toronto FC/MLSE management is quite petty, it is also equally petty on Toronto FC and MLSE that they could not go beyond to thank Giovinco for his services at the club. Toronto FC were an absolute joke before Giovinco arrived, and I do not believe it is enough for Toronto FC President Bill Manning to just thank him and let him go on his merry way. I hope there will be some permanent memorial in Sebastian Giovinco's honour in the near future, because I cannot think of any figure in Toronto FC history more deserving. If Toronto FC and MLSE are not going to him the appreciation he deserves, then the supporters will.
So, Seba. Thank you for everything you have done for the Toronto FC supporters, and for the city of Toronto. You made Toronto FC supporters believe that they truly deserve nice things and sports success in their lives. Thank you for delivering a championship against impossible odds and perception. Thank you for injecting some life into the south end as best as you could.
The Toronto FC supporters will be chanting your name for years to come.
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