Catenaccio N/A

Credit: MLS.com Former Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco was crowned the 2015 Audi Golden Boot award winner in his debut season in Major League Soccer.  The Atomic Ant  was able to reach this achievement strong of his 22 goals scored for Toronto FC. Here are his most spectacular moments of this season: Giovinco also proved to be a great team player, sending his teammates in on goal 16 times.  This solo feat does not, however, amaze. That is, it shouldn't surprise that a talented top-flight soccer player from Juventus who arrived to Toronto in his prime has quickly arisen to be the best player in the league.  We knew of Giovinco's talents since his early days with Juventus primavera (youth) team. His shooting, spot-taking ability, his speed could get him in the starting line up of any of the top 5 teams of Europe's top leagues.  His decision to come to Toronto, in the end, proved to be a great one for his career both from an economic and a sporting vie

This evening, Italian national team coach Antonio Conte made public the list of players called up for the Italy's Euro 2016 qualifiers. Some questions remained as to whether players whom are currently playing their trade in North America would get another call up, after their first one in September. Sebastian Giovinco, it was argued, gained a call-up in September due to the lack of form of his competitors in Italy's attack. As it turned out the TFC striker missed Italy's home matches against Malta and Bulgaria due to a muscular injury. This time, he hopes to respond to his former coach at Juventus. Strong of his 20 goals and 10 assists in Major League Soccer, Giovinco's spot was confirmed among the 27 man squad. The call up confirms that the TFC forward is being called up on his own merits - say what you will about how he dwarfs the league with his talent. Along with Giovinco, national team fixture Andrea Pirlo returns to the fold for his experi

In the midst of a European trip, I returned to Turin for the third time in a year and a half. The purpose? To fulfill the dream of covering a Serie A match. As I checked into Hotel Orchidea I was yet to receive confirmation from Juventus Press Office on my request for media accreditation on behalf of Italian Football Daily in occasion of Juventus-Frosinone. After a few failed attempts at calling the press office the hotel notified me that phone calls, even local calls, could not be made from the hotel's room (!?!). The receptionist suggested that I purchase a calling card and use a public phone instead (?!?) With little else to do, I took the bull by the horns and simply walked 20 minutes to Juventus headquarters in Corso Galileo Ferraris. I walked through the glass doors and spoke to the receptionist, and asked for the Press Office. The receptionist told me to wait, and dialled up the Press Office and explained why I was there and who I was. "Si... Si. Va bene&q

"No Pirlo, No Party" a banner from New York City FC fans read when the sky blue hosted the Montreal Impact on June 13. Incessant rumours about Andrea Pirlo's imminent move to the MLS expansion team have become deafening over the last two weeks, and we're no longer able to ignore them. This afternoon Italian transfer market specialists have spoken at unison: Andrea Pirlo will follow the path of Sebastian Giovinco, Marco Di Vaio, and the legendary Roberto Donadoni across The Pond, to Major League Soccer's New York City FC: Gazzetta.it Carlo Laudisa: #Pirlo ha scelto di lasciare subito la #Juve : andrà a giocare a New York — Carlo Laudisa (@carlolaudisa) June 23, 2015 Goal.it Romeo Agresti: Pirlo a New York. Grande esclusiva di Goal. — Romeo Agresti (@romeoagresti) June 23, 2015 Gazzetta.it Nico Schira replied to us confirming that the move will take place this summer. @CatenaccioNA immediate in July — Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June

After rumours about Toronto FC's interest in central defender Santacroce, the MLS outfit has signalled interest in central midfielder Daniele Galloppa. Anthony Totera broke the news via Twitter that the Italian is currently training with TFC: So Daniele Galloppa trained with the Reds yesterday he would be a very good addition bravo Tim n Tim another Italian player possible love it — A. Totera (@4totera) June 17, 2015 This was confirmed later by the Toronto Sun's Kurtis Larson: Club confirms that Daniele Galloppa is on trial with Toronto FC. — Kurtis Larson (@KurtLarSUN) June 17, 2015 Rumours about TFC's interest in the midfielder were mentioned here earlier as part of the Corriere Canadese's Leonardo Molinelli's report, back in May and by Nicolò Schira on April 24. It seems that interest has materialized. Galloppa is a 30 year old journeyman of Serie A who is a product of Roma's youth system. While representing Italy at the youth level (

Allowing 14 goals in 10 matches and accumulating only 4 wins out of 10 outings Toronto FC's defense is definitely in need of a boost. Stalwart defender Steven Caldwell has been injured too often to be relied on as per Greg Vanney's plans and his future at the club is being questioned. Enter Parma defender Fabio Santacroce, 28, Brazilian-born but of Italian citizenship and pedigree. Santacroce was born to an Italian father and moved to Italy as a child. In late April, Italian journalist Nicolò Schira tweeted that more Italians are looking to make a trip across the pond, among which Santacroce: Dopo #Giovinco altri italiani possono approdare in #MLS e al #Toronto : nel mirino ci sono #Santacroce e #Galloppa del #Parma . #CalcioMarket — Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) April 24, 2015 In yesterday's Corriere Canadese , Leonardo Molinelli wrote that Fabiano Santacroce's arrival in Toronto is imminent. In fact, the Italo-Brazilian might make the move as e

Following Toronto FC's fourth straight loss, rumours have been flying on social media about a changes at the helm. With a wage bill that's just shy of $20 million, and with the likes of Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore among their ranks, questions are being asked of the coaching staff's ability to corral such firepower. The main target is none other than 40 year-old coach Greg Vanney. According to a source that's close to Toronto FC and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, changes will need to take place at the upper brass level before any supposed coaching change. One of the names that has recently come to the fore is that of Umberto Gandini. Dr. Gandini is currently a director at AC Milan and vice chair of the European Club Association (ECA), a body which represents 214 football clubs to safeguard and promote their interests on European club football matters. Gandini is the quintessential European football executive: coming through Be