, Taurasi has a 43-3 record in elimination von corse178s Blog
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Sebastian Giovincos arrival at Toronto FC from Juventus last year was a surprise to many. Davon Godchaux Jersey . An Italy international, landing from one of the worlds elite leagues at the peak age of 27, Giovincos move was to some more integral than David Beckham, Kaka and Frank Lampards song-and-dance arrivals.Why? Because Giovinco was one of the first 20-something players to take the leap to MLS with so much still to prove. Giovinco has taken MLS by storm since his move to Toronto FC. We take a look at the diminutive forwards finest moments. Beckham was 31 when he joined LA Galaxy, but with nearly 100 England caps having just won the Liga title with Real Madrid.Kaka had won nearly every personal and team prize in the game before moving to Orlando last year, while Lampard, like the others, had nothing left to prove with over 600 Premier League appearances and 177 goals.Giovinco played a bit-part role in Juventus side since 2013, and had earned just seven Italy caps in two years having previously been a regular.His career hadnt reached its peak, but instead of taking a step back and searching for European football across the continent, he took a risk by joining a franchise who had yet to reach Major League Soccers play-offs in their eight-year history. Giovinco has scored two in two for Toronto this season Make no mistake, he is paid handsomely. His salary of $7.1m a year is the second-highest in MLS in 2015 behind Kaka, but the pressure of the price tag has not shown. He scored 22 goals in 33 MLS appearances as Toronto FC reached the play-offs, and was named 2015 MVP winner, Golden Boot winner, Newcomer of the Year winner and single-season points record winner for goals and assists combined.Giovincos transfer to Toronto to was very surprising, says Sky in Italys Augusto De Bartolo. No Italian players went to MLS at the peak age of their careers. The last two established Italians to choose soccer were Alessandro Nesta and Andrea Pirlo, but they went in the twilight years.He is the most important player in the young history of Toronto FC, he has won all of these awards without changing his style of play. The Italian was WhoScored.coms player of the season for MLS in 2015 He was not fully appreciated in Italy, due to the desire of the coaches to use players with physical strength. He made the choice to move to MLS when he was still on the roster of the Azzurri at an age when players generally show all of their potential.Just 5ft 4ins and with bags of skill, Giovinco has suited MLS to the ground. His low centre of gravity and eye-catching guile has been a breath of fresh air to the league, which is enjoying a period of rapid growth.Giovinco has been so impressive, he even attracted a small approach from Barcelona of all clubs.I didnt believe it myself, Giovinco told SportItalia last year. It was true though, even if there was nothing concrete. A small approach, shall we say. Sky in Italys August De Bartolo says Giovincos style is comparable with Gianfranco Zolas For those yet to watch him at length on these shores, one comparison springs to mind.When you watch Giovinco on the pitch, the only player you think of is Gianfranco Zola, says Sky in Italys De Bartolo. They are not only very similar on a physical and technical basis, but in their career too.Like Giovinco, Zola was not fully appreciated in his country, and moved to another championship. It is not uncommon for Italians to notice the value of a player when he leaves the country. It happened with Zola, it is happening with Giovinco. He is a little big player, like Zola.Zola earned just 35 caps for Italy, retiring after not being selected for the 1998 World Cup, but Giovincos international career has life left in it - one of a growing number of players to see their national team prospects improve following a move to MLS. The leagues retirement home tag is fading, and Giovinco has contributed to much of the erasing.In my opinion, Giovinco could play in La Liga, the Premier League or Bundesliga. Many thought his decision would prevent him playing a big role at Euro 2016 with the Azzurri, but Antonio Conte is still considering him as a big resource for the squad. Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo both moved to MLS, but Giovinco took the challenge on his mid-20s He played the last two matches of the Euro Qualifying campaign against Azerbaijan and Norway, and Conte actually prefers him to Napolis Lorenzo Insigne.Could that Barcelona interest, or that of any other European powerhouse, turn from small to something serious? Like many MLS stars, the anonymity of life in the league is a major positive, something Steven Gerrard, Lampard and Pirlo have all strongly referenced. Giovinco scored a fine goal in Torontos 2-2 draw at NYC FC last week Giovinco told The Guardian last year: The difference between Italy and here is that here we can enjoy time with family, time with friends. So after training, we can just go for a walk, go for ice cream, shopping, whatever. And when we do get stopped by fans, they are very respectful. Its a difference lifestyle, and Im definitely enjoying it.The faster the league grows, and the more Giovinco stars, the sooner that might change, but his risky move has paid off. Watch Giovinco in action as Toronto FC travel to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday evening in MLS, live on Sky Sports 5HD at 11pm Also See: WATCH: Incredible Amarikwa chip 10 MLS questions for Ridgewell WATCH: MLS top 5 young players WATCH: MLS ridiculous questions Laremy Tunsil Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Walt Aikens Jersey . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer. http://www.cheapdolphinsjerseyselite.com/?tag=cheap-matt-haack-jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. NEW YORK -- Phoenix coach Sandy Brondello hasnt always loved the WNBAs new knockout playoff format. But its safe to say she has come around on it.The Mercury, inconsistent for much of the regular season, beat New York 101-94 in an elimination game Saturday to advance to the WNBA semifinals against Minnesota.?That isnt bad for a team that finished the regular season two games below .500.I was a little critical of the knockout games, but I kind of like it right now, Brondello said.Veteran Diana Taurasi led the way for Phoenix, just as she did Wednesday in the Mercurys first-round, elimination-game win over Indiana.Taurasi had a game-high 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting to lift Phoenix. But it wasnt just the point total; it was when Taurasi scored that mattered most Saturday.With Phoenix up two and 6:40 to play, Taurasi scored five straight points to spur an 8-2 run. Five minutes later, the Mercury led by just four. But Taurasi put the game away by hitting a contested 3-pointer.That prompted this statement from Brondello: Diana Taurasi, shes the GOAT [greatest of all time]. Its always great to have her on your team.Is it ever. Saturday was just the latest example of Taurasi lifting her team in an elimination game.She scored 14 of her game-high 20 points in the second half of the Mercurys win over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday. That gave her a 12-3 career record in WNBA elimination games. Saturday was win No. 13.I just think its the mindset that the teams Ive been on have had, Taurasi said. These moments, weve never shied away from.Taurasi, understandably, doesnt want to talk about her own exploits. But her performance in win-or-go-home scenarios has been remarkable. According to WNBA.com, Taurasi averages 23 points on better than 48 percent shooting in such situations. If you include her Olympic and NCAA career,, Taurasi has a 43-3 record in elimination games. Brandon Doughty Jersey. Thats why I say shes the best player in the world, Brondelo said. Shes such an unselfish player, but her determination to win in those big moments exceeds anyone else Ive ever seen.Taurasi didnt do it all by herself on Saturday, of course. Brittney Griner was fantastic, scoring 22 points with 10 rebounds and five assists, and Penny Taylor added 22 points. It was the kind of game that many expected from Phoenix over the course of the season.But the Mercury struggled with consistency and clinched the eighth and final WNBA playoff seed with a disappointing 16-18 regular-season record.We had some good individual performances, Brondello said, but we were just inconsistent in putting it together for one night.The Mercury have now put it together for two nights when it mattered most. But for the Liberty, it was a sudden end to another successful regular season.New York finished with the third-best record in the WNBA, but thanks to the leagues new playoff format, which awards the top two seeds byes into the best-of-five semifinals, the Liberty played in an elimination game rather than a full series.They worked all year long to give themselves an opportunity, and tonight it just didnt get done, Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said.Tina Charles finished with 19 points and nine rebounds on Saturday, looking every bit the MVP candidate who carried New York for most of the season. But the Liberty failed to execute late in the fourth quarter, and Taurasi seemed to thrive.Diana was Diana, Charles said.On Saturday, that meant Taurasi was at her best when her team needed her most. Those who have watched her long enough shouldnt be surprised. 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