TORONTO – Toronto FC and their talisman are ready for whatever Sunday brings.
TFC enter the second leg of Sunday's Eastern Conference Semifinal series against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium holding a 2-0 lead, but they know that nothing will come easy.
“The most important thing is to get into this game with the same approach as we did in the first leg. That counts more than anything else,” said Sebastian Giovinco after training on Friday through a translator. “We neither want, nor need, to go there thinking about goals, but just to play our game. That's the right spirit.”
High scores have been a feature of past encounters between Toronto and New York, including a 4-4 tie last season and a 2-2 draw back in March, as too has NYCFC's dominance – Toronto's win in the first leg was their first ever in the all-time series. Come Sunday (6:30 pm ET, FS1, FOX Deportes | TSN4/5 in Canada), navigating the tightrope of attacking and defending in equal amounts will be crucial for TFC.
“[Balance], that's the real key, if we are to win,” said Giovinco.
The first leg was a combative affair, featuring six yellow cards and more than its fair share of talking points. Twice a crowd of players engaged in some enthusiastic shoving and, of course, there was that kick out from NYCFC star David Villa on Armando Cooper.
Sunday will be similar, if not more so, given the raised stakes.
“It's going to be the same very intense game,” said Giovinco. “There's no other way than just run more than the others and get through.”
Giovinco's and Toronto's first taste of the MLS Cup Playoffs was a bitter defeat in Montreal last season, but this year's sample has been sweeter, with TFC winning both of their postseason matches thus far.
Despite better results, Giovinco was all business with reporters this week, barely sparing a thought for how the playoffs compare to his European experiences: “It's different, but [it's a] one-way street... [this] is the one way to go, to win until the end.”
After registering a goal and an assist in Toronto's Knockout Round against Philadelphia, Giovinco was held off the scoresheet in the opening leg against NYCFC. He's been excellent since returning from an injury that cost him a shot at repeating as MLS MVP, compiling stats at his regular, breakneck clip with two goals and three assists in the last four matches.
“An injury is always a tough time for a player,” said Giovinco. “Coming back, getting prepared for what's next always brings that extra.”
And as for being excluded from the list of MLS MVP finalists?
“My motivation never changes,” Giovinco said. “My goal is to score goals, provide assists, and do better than everybody else. [At] the end of the day, this is what makes a person and a player special.”
One suspects some of that will be on display come Sunday.
“This is the most important moment,” said Giovinco. “This game will [decide our] future.”
