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Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco set to return against Minnesota United FC

By David Morassutti

May 3, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the game between Orlando City SC and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco (10) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first half during the game between Orlando City SC and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports /
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Missing the last two games with a heel injury, Sebastian Giovinco will return as the red hot Toronto FC will play their first game against Minnesota United FC.

Despite being without their star striker Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC has a franchise record five-game winning streak and the best record in the MLS. It helps that TFC has one of the deepest teams in the entire league, playing at a high level with Giovinco, Drew Moor and Ashtone Morgan out of the lineup.

This in large part has been because of players stepping up like; Raheem Edwards, Tosaint Ricketts Jay Chapman, Justin Morrow, Armando Cooper and Jonathan Osorio and of course Alex Bono behind Clint Irwin. In past years the team has tried to rely more on their star players like Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley to carry the team but that has changed.

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Giovinco is still an integral part of TFC’s success but the pressure does not rely solely on his shoulders. They can afford to have him take extra time to rest his injured foot unlike in past seasons where they would have tried to get him back in the lineup as soon as he could.

In his last game against the Orlando Solar Bears, he had two goals on three shots on goal and another two against the Chicago Fire. Those are two quality opponents in the Eastern Conference and Giovinco had his best performances of the season against them.

He took a lot of heat for comments made following TFC’s loss in the MLS Cup last season. If he can continue to produce at a high level there is no doubt that he can reclaim the Landon Donovan MVP Award which went to New York City FC forward David Villa last season.

Minnesota has started to develop an identity following their 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City. They present a lot of challenges for TFC especially on the defensive side of the ball allowing only goal in their last three games after giving up 24 goals in their first seven games.

TFC will also be playing their third game in the last seven days after playing in their MLS Cup rematch against the Seattle Sounders and this past Wednesday against the Columbus Crew. They were on the verge of losing to Columbus before Ricketts got two goals in under 10 minutes to get the Reds the victory. However, they looked sluggish and struggled get quality chances on net.

Next: Toronto FC win franchise record fifth straight match

With Giovinco in the lineup TFC should extend their winning streak to six games but they should be ready for a Minnesota squad with fresher legs to come out strong.

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