For Toronto FC fans, the night of Oct. 14, 2015 will always go down as a memorable occasion. That sentiment is reciprocated by former striker Giovinco, who recently joined Footy Talks Weekly to discuss that match against the New York Red Bulls and his four seasons with the club.
TFC secured a 2-1 win that evening, one that booked their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot since entering MLS as an expansion club in 2007. Giovinco, who arrived earlier that day from national team duty with Italy, scored a curling effort to give the Reds a 2-0 lead in the 78th minute, just seven minutes after coming on as a sub.
“That moment was unbelievable because I remember I played the day before with the national team,” Giovinco said. “I landed the next day in Toronto, I went straight to BMO without even seeing my family. I demonstrate to everyone how much I love my teammates, how much I love the game, how much I love the city, the fans, the organization. For me, that was a special moment.”
Giovinco, whose MLS career entailed 68 goals and 52 assists in 114 games, helped usher in TFC’s impressive run this past half decade. He won the Golden Boot, MLS MVP and MLS Newcomer of the Year awards in 2015, and memorably helped TFC lift MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield in 2017.
As the goals and accolades piled up, Giovinco also forged a strong on-field partnership with US men’s national team forward Jozy Altidore. To this day, that relationship is cherished.
“It was very, very fun,” Giovinco said of playing with Altidore. “We compliment each other. I have great memories of Jozy. He was a very good teammate, very good person. He means so much.”
For more from Giovinco, who’s now with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, check out the interview above.
