There are teams that foul to prevent teams from getting good shots from the run of play. One player has made them pay for that strategy more than anyone else in MLS history.
His name is Sebastian Giovinco, of course, and the Toronto FC superstar scored a record-breaking free kick in Sunday's 4-0 win over New York City FC.
It's his 10th goal off a direct free kick in his career, and according to MLS Communications, that's the most since 2003 (when types of goals were first recorded), one ahead of two other active players: Atlanta United FC'sJeff Larentowicz and FC Dallas' Javier Morales. Retired LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham is next with seven goals from direct free kicks.
As far as efficiency goes, though, there's no doubt Giovinco is MLS' free kick king. While both Larentowicz and Morales have been in the league for over a decade, Giovinco has beaten the mark in July of his third MLS campaign.
Still, considering all three leaders for the mark are active, the record is not yet Giovinco's to keep. But the Italian is far more active these days in taking set pieces than his counterparts. And the lesson remains: Foul TFC players from scoring range at your peril.
