Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco named to Italy squad

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Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco. (Mark Blinch/CP)

After a three-year absence, Sebastian Giovinco is set to return for the Azzurri.

The Toronto FC forward was named to Italy’s 28-player roster on Friday by manager Roberto Mancini for a pair of upcoming games.

Giovinco, 31, last played for Italy in October 2015, appearing for the last 28 minutes of Italy’s 2-1 win against Norway in a Euro 2016 qualifier in Rome.

The next day, Giovinco came on as substitute in a TFC game against the New York Red Bulls, scoring a highlight-reel goal that helped the Canadian club secure its first playoff berth in franchise history.

“It’s a long time, but now the most important thing is I’m back, so I’m happy,” Giovinco told reporters after TFC’s practice on Friday.

Giovinco has 12 goals and 14 assists in MLS for TFC in 2018, and 67 goals and 51 assists in 111 regular season games since signing with the Reds in 2015. He was also named league MVP in 2015, his first season in MLS, and has since established himself as one of the best players ever to play in the league.

But the Italian has long been ignored by Italian national team managers over the last three years, mostly because he plays in MLS, a league that is largely viewed as not being equal to the standards of top European leagues.

Giovinco has one goal in 23 appearance for Italy. He made his Azzurri debut in 2011 while playing on loan at Serie A outfit Parma.

Italy faces Ukraine in a friendly on Oct. 10, before taking on Poland four days later in a UEFA Nations League match. TFC’s next game after this weekend is Oct. 17 so Giovinco shouldn’t miss any MLS action.

“I’m very happy for him,” Toronto coach Greg Vanney offered. “In all his time here, he’s proven for me to be the best player probably to ever come to [MLS}. He’s continued to keep his level up, and he’s produced every year. Even in a season that’s been challenging for us, he continues to produce.”

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