Sebastian Giovinco is having a season for the ages; not just in Toronto FC terms, but in MLS terms. But, as his team looks set to back into the Eastern Conference playoffs, the question remains: Can the Atomic Ant’s astounding offensive contributions compensate for a defence that’s been astoundingly inept?

With the Atlanta Silverbacks on a bye week, there was a chance that Kyle Porter, who has led the Canadian-minutes-played ranking over the last few weeks, would be overtaken.

Even though teams lost Canadians to international duty, the fact that so many other international players were also away opened up opportunities for our domestic players who usually ride the pine. The Impact started two Canadians in its 4-3 win over Chicago — and Wandrille Lefevre got a goal. The Eddies gave more than 300 minutes to Canadian players in their 1-1 draw with Minnesota United. Toronto FC gave starts to both Jonathan Osorio and Ashtone Morgan.

Canadian national-team coach Benito Floro re-affirmed his belief in Kyle Bekker, but said that the return of veteran midfielders Atiba Hutchinson and Will Johnson meant that there was no room at the inn for Jonathan Osorio.

Tesho Akindele started for FC Dallas and scored on a penalty kick. Cyle Larin set the MLS rookie scoring record when the Orlando City striker notched his 12th goal of the season.

It says something when the three Canadian MLS teams put a grand total of four players on the national side — and none of those four players are what you’d consider “regulars” for their club sides.

Montreal’s four-on-two was a comedy of errors. It should be shown to atom-age players as a lesson on how not to attack.

So, in fairness, it needs to be noted that a milestone was hit this week. The Impact is no longer the weakest of the five Canadian first- or-second-division sides when it comes to Canadians first-team minutes. On average, the Vancouver Whitecaps now give Canadians the lowest minutes-per-game of any of the five north-of-the-border MLS or NASL sides.

“We are expected to know soon if coaches from European and MLS clubs are going to allow us our players to at least attend all the games and whether it’s possible for them to attend the pre-tournament camp,” Floro said. “We trust that the Canadian USL teams are going to allow players to attend the camp and in all the games. If clubs don’t allow several players to attend the games, it will be much more difficult for us. We hope the clubs will allow all the players with us.”

Quietly, Atlanta Silverback Kyle Porter has taken over as the Canadian who has seen the most minutes in 2015, either in NASL or MLS.