
With teammates Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley fulfilling international duties, Giovinco took center stage and stole the show in TFC’s wild 4-4 draw with New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. The Italian recorded the third fastest hat trick in Major League Soccer history between the 34th and 43rd minutes of the first half, later tacking on an assist. Giovinco now claims three Player of the Week nods this season.
After cracking a penalty kick attempt off the post in the 19th minute, Giovinco got another chance from the spot in the 34th – and he capitalized. With Toronto down 2-0, the forward gave his team life by tucking his spot kick into the left corner past a sprawling Josh Saunders for his first goal of the afternoon.
Three minutes later, he made MLS history with his third goal in nine minutes. Giovinco again slipped behind NYCFC’s defense, this time beating Josh Saunders with a cheeky, one-touch chip off a cross from Robbie Findley. The former Juventus forward still wasn’t done, however. Tied 3-3 in the 82nd minute, Giovinco picked Andoni Iraola’s pocket and made a tremendous run from midfield to the goal line, where he found a wide open Marco Delgado in front of the net for the go-ahead goal.
Toronto FC returns to MLS action on Saturday, July 18, when they host the Philadelphia Union in at BMO Field at 4:00 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS2, CSN Philadelphia).