Football
ESPN staff 7y

Toronto FC expects Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore both fit for MLS Cup

Toronto FC's top two scoring threats should be fit for MLS Cup after Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore both picked up knocks in Wednesday's conference final triumph, coach Greg Vanney says.

Giovinco has scored 26 goals for Toronto in the regular season and playoffs combined, though Montreal prevented him from scoring over two legs in the Reds' 7-5 aggregate victory.

The Italian playmaker was forced to leave Wednesday's second leg early in extra time with cramps, but Vanney said there was no further injury that would prevent him from facing the Seattle Sounders on Dec. 10.

"He was cramping up; it's not much more than that," Vanney said. "He couldn't get it to go away. So he felt like him cramping on the field was not going to be advantageous at that time in the game. He'll be ready."

It was a frustrating ending for Giovinco, leaving with the game in the balance, but he was pleased that Benoit Cheyrou put Toronto ahead for good moments after coming on as his replacement.

"At the end of the day, it was a change that made a big difference," Giovinco said. "I'm very happy for Benoit and how the game ended. One last step to go; we think we can surpass it."

He added: "Cramps are never anything too serious. By tomorrow it'll all be normal."

Altidore put Toronto FC ahead with a goal just before halftime -- becoming just the second player in MLS history to score in five straight playoff games -- then did well to set up Tosaint Ricketts for the final goal of the night in extra time.

He was involved in a number of physical challenges over the 120 minutes and appeared to jam his shoulder, but Vanney said he also escaped major injury while praising the U.S. striker.

"He feels great," Vanney said of Altidore. "He's flying, he's happy. He's showing what we all know he's capable of. I've always admired his power and strength. As he arrived here last year, I was incredibly surprised at how very good of a finisher he is, how precise he is technically. He is an incredibly well-rounded striker.

"A lot of the credit goes to him and everybody helping him get into a nice happy place that he can be himself, give everything he has every night. And you can see, he's an absolute monster out there. He's unstoppable when he gets going. He's been that for us in the playoffs."

Vanney said he was thrilled with his side's resiliency after becoming the first Canadian club to reach the MLS Cup final.

"I couldn't be more proud of this group," he said. "The game tonight was a roller coaster. The guys kept fighting, it wasn't easy. I's been a stressful week, trying to do everything I can to make the guys feel like they're ready to go. They proved they were and then some."

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