Toronto FC midfielder and forward Sebastian Giovinco has been named the Major League Soccer player of the week for the second consecutive time.
The announcement was made Tuesday morning and is on voted on by journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) group.
The Italian scored twice on Saturday, once in the 34th minute and again in the 83rd minute, to lead his side to a 2-1 victory over league leaders D.C. United. Bar the accomplishment of beating a side of D.C.’s caliber, the TFC victory snapped the four-time MLS champion’s 20 game unbeaten streak at home.
Giovinco joined TFC in January on a free transfer from Serie A giants Juventus, signing a five-year contract with a reported annual salary of $7 million, making him the highest paid Italian soccer player in the world.
“I'm very happy (to win player of the week), but this is just a starting point,” told Toronto media through a translator.
The ‘Atomic Ant’ has registered seven goals in MLS this season, good to be tied for third in the league, and has added six assists through 12 games. Standing in at a mere 5-feet-5-inches, the player has certainly made his presence felt in a league big on physicality.
Giovinco becomes the first player in franchise history to win the honour in back-to-back weeks.
