Toronto FC announced earlier today that their reigning Landon Donovan MLS MVPSebastian Giovinco, has been sidelined for four weeks due to muscle strains. He will also probably not feature for TFC in any Major League Soccer action for the month of September.

The muscle strains, particularly in the quadriceps and adductor areas, were picked up during Toronto's one-nil loss to Canadian rivals, the Montreal Impact, on Saturday night. Giovinco joins teammates Jay Chapman and Ashton Morgan on the injury table for Toronto, but more importantly, the team will miss his goals and creativity as they continue to make a push to finish as the winners of the MLS Supporter's Shield this season.

Giovinco celebrates one of his many goals this season | Source: Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press
Giovinco celebrates one of his many goals this season | Source: Fred Thornhill/The Canadian Press

Giovinco likely out for three matches in September

The time frame given by Toronto FC means that Giovinco will miss four matches in September before he can be declared healthy again, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses. Those four matches are all MLS regular season matches and will all be home matches for Toronto and that should ease concerns a little as TFC's home form has been very good so far. Toronto face up against the Chicago Fire, the New York Red Bulls, the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC in those matches and will attempt to get all twelve points to stay in touch with FC Dallas in the race to finish first in the standings.

Toronto should have no problems against the Fire, and most probably Orlando, but the Red Bulls and the Union could prove difficult tests, especially without the services of Giovinco who can turn a match on its head with individual skill alone. The Red Bulls could potentially over take Toronto in the standings if they win in Toronto a few weeks from now and the Union will also be looking to close the gap between the two teams by grabbing a win against TFC. All in all, Giovinco's 16 goals and 13 assists in 26 appearances, will definitely be missed and Toronto will have to adjust to playing without his services for the time being.

Altidore and Bradley will be needed even more now by Toronto FC | Source: Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports
Altidore and Bradley will be needed even more now by Toronto FC | Source: Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports

Altidore, Bradley may lead the way for TFC

Without Giovinco, Toronto will now look to US international Jozy Altidore who is now match fit and raring to go again after an injury-riddled season. In his 16 appearances so far this season for Toronto, Altidore has scored five goals and provided three assists. Toronto will need him to step up even more now in Giovinco's absence. Michael Bradley will also be someone that Toronto will turn to during the next few matches. The midfielder had a slow start to the season but is now beginning to approach something close to his best. Toronto will need more than the three assists in 17 appearances Bradley has given so far as they push for a first place finish by the time the regular season ends.

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