As Drogba bows out meekly Sebastian Giovinco is one game away from a historic moment

It is somewhat ironic that one of the smallest players to ever grace Major League Soccer has left the biggest impact. Seabstian Giovinco, ’Formica Atomica’ (the Atomic Ant) arrived in Major League Soccer under a cloud of uncertainty in 2015. Few questioned his technical ability, but could he handle the rough and tumble of MLS defenders? The short answer was yes.

Year two of Giovinco’s North American adventure yielded a combined 32 goals and assists during the regular season, and four goals in the post-season. Yet, even the best suffer stumbles and the double-header with Montreal Impact was most definitely that for him in front of goal. Registering just a single shot on target against Mauro Biello’s side, he does deserve credit for assisting two of the seven goals the team scored across two legs.

The same kind of credit cannot be shared with Didier Drogba. The Ivorian showed so much promise in his first six months in MLS, but that served to be the peak of his career in North America. Granted, he scored a number of goals in 2016 too, but the awkward way in which he ended the regular season — refusing to sit on the bench during Montreal’s final game — left a bitter taste that did not disappear during the playoffs.

Even though the striker had no involvement in the first leg, (which Montreal won 3-2) but he was still able to recognise what it meant for Canadian soccer. For the first time in MLS history, a team north of the border was going to win the Eastern Conference. “I think it’s the kind of game that can be a fantastic experience and reference for the Canadian football,” Drogba said. “You know, two of the best teams in the semifinal, in a Conference Final, I think this is the best thing that could happen for this country. And the way people are so passionate here about the game, the way the stadiums are full, you could see the attendances here in Montreal, it’s amazing what we’ve been doing, what the fans have been doing. So I think it’s going to be great for the future.”

The former Chelsea hero had already confirmed he would be leaving MLS before Wednesday’s second leg in Toronto. His final appearance in blue and black saw him enter in the 71st minute, and resulted in little more than some hold up play and a decent free-kick that Clint Irwin saved.

Neither he nor Giovinco were influential on Wednesday night. That responsibility instead fell to the likes of Tosaint Ricketts, Benoit Cheyrou, and Nick Hagglund. Combined the trio earn less than a tenth of what Giovinco commands, but their contribution against Montreal proved priceless. Helping Toronto to a 5-2 extra-time win, their goals came after Armando Cooper and Jozy Altidore had restored parity on aggregate in the first half.

In many ways, the result highlighted Toronto’s unity as a team. Giovinco, Altidore, and Michael Bradley may nab the headlines, but it is the lesser heralded names that help stitch things together. “One of our messages: There was no way we were going to get out-competed,” coach Greg Vanney said afterwards.

Players like Clint Irwin, Drew Moor, and, Steven Beitashour were acquired during the off-season, and added much needed reliability to the team’s defence. During his unveiling, Irwin was described as ‘the last piece of the jigsaw’, which seems fair when you consider what Toronto have been able to achieve in the months that followed.

From 2015 to 2016, Toronto’s defence improved dramatically with their goals against column dropping from 58 to 39. Giovinco continued his attacking effort, and it pushed Toronto from playoff outsiders, to playoff favourites. The Italian was eventually forced off with cramp on Wednesday night, but that didn’t stop him enjoying some post match celebrations. As for the final, Vanney is adamant he will be fit. "He was cramping, nothing more,” he said. “He’ll be ready to go.”

It is highly unlikely he will want to miss the final against the Seattle Sounders. There he will face-off against another talented number 10, Nicolas Lodeiro, in a match that promises to be exciting. More than battling a rival though, Giovinco knows his reputation could be enhanced dramatically with a victory on December 10.

The former Juventus man already stacks up well in the ‘best ever Designated Player’ discussion. His numbers speak for themselves, and if he can win MLS Cup in just his second season he would arguably elevate himself above his rivals. Ever modest, he will be first to acknowledge those that helped him achieve that success, including his coach.

Vanney has impressed many this season. Shaking off some early stumbles, he has nurtured a well drilled side in Toronto, and produced what looked a masterstroke substitution against Montreal. Taking out Giovinco for Cheyrou, the Frenchman found the net with his first touch. Montreal never recovered. "I told Benoit to run to the back post, diving header, do it on his first touch,” Vanney joked afterwards.

The hope for Toronto fans now is that they can finish the job against the Sounders. Far from an easy task, it is a historic and monumental game for both Toronto and Giovinco. Win that and not only will Canadian soccer benefit, but so will Giovinco’s legacy in MLS.