Beyond POV-FS – Toronto FC vs. NYC FC, Sebastian Giovinco's Italy Future, and Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew SC

This week's round up sees a pair of Toronto FC matches and an uncertain role for Sebastian Giovinco in the upcoming UEFA EURO 2016.

MLSsoccer.com – Youngsters step up for TFC, but can't vanquish NYC

Following TFC's 1-1 draw against NYC FC on Wednesday, performances from Mo Babouli, Jay Chapman, and Josh Williams, stepping into the starting eleven was the focus.

MLSsoccer.com – Vieira: Busy NYCFC “managed” Toronto draw well

Patrick Vieira spoke after the draw about his side managing a difficult week of travel and some bench players – Patrick Mullins and Kwadwo Poku, in particular – stepping up to earn a solid road point.

MLSsoccer.com – Giovinco waiting for word on possible Italy call

After Wednesday's match, TFC's superstar was none the wiser regarding whether he would be receiving a call from Antonio Conte ahead of this summer's tournament.

MLSsoccer.com – Seba takes blame for draw: “Today was my fault”

Toronto's struggle to convert chances into goals reared its head once more on Saturday and Giovinco more than shouldered the blame for his strangely wayward finishing.

MLSsoccer.com – Crew SC pleased with team defense, result vs. TFC

Another match, another visiting coach satisfied with a single-point at BMO Field. Gregg Berhalter praised his side's defensive nous in earning the draw and detailed their plan to shutdown Giovinco.


Bonus Quote – Jay Chapman on getting the start at home after Wednesday's match: “It was fantastic [to get the start at home]. Playing in the new stadium, getting 90 minutes under my belt. The fans were great, the atmosphere was awesome, so it was perfect.”

Beyond POV-FS – How You Doin' NYC FC & Weekly Mailbag at Waking the Red

A couple of posts went up over at Waking the Red this week.

The Weekly Mailbag kicked off a few interesting conversations, including over who should take up that left-sided attacking role while Jozy Altidore is out, especially considering that Dan Lovitz looks to have picked up a knock, the role of Benoit Cheyrou and some formation talk ensued, as did an interesting little thread on concerns over the pitch dimensions at BMO Field.

Check it out.

And ahead of Sunday's match at NYC FC, WTR spoke with Jake Gofman of Hudson River Blue for the How You Doin'? Segment, where the two SB Nation sites exchange a series of questions.

Jake's responses can be found at WTR – and he can be followed on Twitter – while WTR's answers are over at Hudson River Blue.

Check them out.

TFC got a huge three points on opening day, another three today would go a long way towards their road-trip minimum. Should be interesting.

Beyond POV-FS – No Lov' Lost: NYC FC exacts a pound of flesh from TFC at Vocal Minority

The good folks over at Vocal Minority, who have decided to supplement their audio words with some written ones, have a snazzy new website – the header art alone is worth the visit – and seeing as it was nearly two days old already, it was about time it featured a piece by yours truly.

As such, a bit of a shade-throwing post went up yesterday. Pure speculation, but an interesting confluence of circumstances surrounding New York City FC's decision to select Daniel Lovitz in the MLS Expansion Draft and then trade him back to Toronto; reminiscent of similar shenangians back in 2006 – and could perhaps lead to the birth of a new rivalry – check it out.