There was at least one report of grown men sobbing.

Tears of joy, I suppose.

As if a global pop star had just arrived.

The scenes were that bizarre when Toronto FC’s newest high-priced star turned up at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Thursday.

Revellers could barely see the 5-foot-5 Sebastian Giovinco through a crowd of supporters that numbered close to 500, a massive draw for a weekday afternoon.

The Italian’s two-hour flight delay only spurred more curious onlookers to approach the red-clad mob.

And when Giovinco finally touched down, the 28-year-old looked as shocked as anyone to see the turnout — his name screamed, autographs requested, flash bulbs going off all around.

So much for Toronto FC’s no-more-hype mantra.

Giovinco’s anticipated arrival was escalated to a level that hasn’t been witnessed since, well, the last time the Reds escalated a player introduction to epic proportions.

And you thought that was a Bloody Big ... ah, forget about it.

The buzz around this club — despite close to a decade of dysfunction — is somehow back.

And Toronto FC’s front office used Thursday’s pandemonium with precision to boost season-ticket sales and interest with MLSE set to expand BMO Field to 30,000 seats this season.

And, as you can see, it undoubtedly worked — just like it did 12 months ago with Jermain Defoe.

In this market, though, supporters will be quick to bury Giovinco if he doesn’t live up to every penny of his five-year, $40 million deal.

With Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and, now, the Italian costing MLSE somewhere in the neighbourhood of $90 million over the next five years, the stakes have never been higher.

The Reds will undoubtedly lose coin on a portion of these deals in an all-in effort to finally win.

And, in return, hopefully win back the type of support that made Toronto FC the toast of Major League Soccer in 2007, when it was difficult to get a ticket to watch this club every weekend.

But big signings and new stadium designs will only carry this club for a few more months.

The only way this thing works is if the Reds consistently perform at a high level that produces the opportunity to win meaningful games.

Big derby matches. Big Cup matches. Big playoff matches.

It’s no longer enough to just be in playoff contention.

The Reds will be expected to entertain well into November with the pieces they’ve brought in.

How Giovinco fits into this team has yet to be determined.

Head coach Greg Vanney has mentioned using the “Atomic Ant” beneath Altidore, who is expected to play as a No. 9 — holding play up while also being a threat to take players on in the final third.

In the aforementioned play-making role, Giovinco would serve as an outlet for Bradley and his new midfield partner Benoit Cheyrou, who could feature more prominently on the defensive end.

The other option is to play Giovinco off a wing in more of a 4-3-3 formation, with Bradley, Cheyrou and possibly Jonathan Osorio playing centrally.

While this would undoubtedly offer Giovinco more time and space in wide portions of the field, it would ask a lot of Toronto FC’s fullbacks, who would be tasked with getting up and down the pitch more frequently without a wide midfielder playing directly in front of them.

Either way, what this city wants is to see someone with intelligence on the ball — a player who’s always a threat to score or set up a score whenever he’s in possession.

For decades, the knock on MLS has been that its clubs don’t have players who produce moments of brilliance — guys who are capable of making non-MLS fans take notice.

Like it or not, the Reds, their entire fan base, are expecting Giovinco to perform miracles.

Thursday’s hero’s welcome — normally reserved for Justin Bieber — is proof this city is once again ready to explode and support its MLS club.

The question is whether those tears of joy will finally be for something more than just a bunch of off-season noise.

Because, in the end, the truly bizarre scene will be finally witnessing Toronto FC host and win a playoff game when they finally make the post-season in 2015.

FIVE REASONS TFC WILL MAKE PLAYOFFS

EXPANDED PLAYOFF FORMAT

It’s the most obvious reason. Major League Soccer went the way of both the NHL and NBA this off-season, expanding its playoff format to include more than 50% of its member clubs. That means six of 10 teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences will play at least 35 games this season, assuming a dreaded work stoppage doesn’t occur. As if the pressure on TFC wasn’t already mounting this winter following massive signings and almost a decade of defeat, the Reds won’t be able to show their faces if they come up short again.

BOLSTERED BACK END

Assuming Steven Caldwell stays healthy — and that’s a big assumption — Toronto’s back four is looking quite formidable following the addition of centre back Damien Perquis. The hulking Pole could provide the kind of no-nonsense, experienced defending the Reds haven’t had since, well, ever. Maybe more important is the fact TFC’s top brass also acquired back end support for when one of Caldwell or Perquis inevitably go down injured. Not only is Nick Hagglund one season older, but Eriq Zavaleta is an MLS-ready stand-in. Returning fullbacks Justin Morrow and Mark Bloom will do the job on the wings.

LEGIT PRE-SEASON PREP

Head coach Greg Vanney will have Toronto FC’s entire roster at his disposal for most of the pre-season. Under previous bench bosses — Aron Winter and Ryan Nelsen — TFC’s pre-season prep always seemed to be missing key components. Remember when Robert Earnshaw suddenly turned up in Vancouver for the season opener in 2013? In other words, the Reds have never been ready to hit the ground running when March finally arrives. When Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore return from international duty next week, Vanney will have a month to prep his entire team for a critical seven-game road trip.

TFC GETS ITS NO. 10

Toronto FC hasn’t had a play-making No. 10 since God knows when. Sebastian Giovinco’s Thursday arrival signalled the beginning of creativity in TFC’s offensive end. The Italian will also serve as somewhat of an outlet for Bradley, who struggled to connect vertically with the likes of Gilberto and Jermain Defoe running up top last season. Giovinco will provide TFC’s fullbacks and midfielders with an outlet other than Altidore’s feet. He’ll also be a threat to score any time he’s in and around the penalty area and could be the missing link guys scuh as Bradley and Altidore need in hot and spicy areas inside the final third.

WEAKENED EASTERN CONFERENCE

As if the league’s expanded playoff system wasn’t enough, let’s not forget a pair of quality Eastern Conference sides are moving to the West in 2015. With expansion sides Orlando City and New York City FC set to join the league this season, Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo are moving in the opposite direction. Let’s just say the Reds won’t miss travelling to raucous Sporting Park or the blazing hot conditions at BBVA Compass Stadium.

kurtis.larson@sunmedia.ca