Altidore's return brings drastic changes to Toronto FC

Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore has every reason to feel just a touch blue as the first month of MLS action comes to a close. The U.S. international striker went into 2016 not just feeling healthy, but with a new level of fitness that earned him praise from many news outlets.

Those good vibes didn't last very long, as Altidore went down with a hamstring injury days before MLS First Kick. He's missed the Reds' first three games, with Sebastian Giovinco helping Toronto to a 1-1-1 start in league play as head coach Greg Vanney experimented with a new formation.

But Altidore is back and ready to go and, by all accounts, should be fit enough to feature for TFC in some capacity against the Colorado Rapids in the fourth of eight consecutive away matches.

His reintroduction changes Toronto FC's look completely:

Vanney has already given TFC fans a glimpse of his vision for the 2016 season, using his crop of players in a 4-3-3 formation rather than the 4-4-2 diamond the Reds often employed last season.

Giovinco took the middle point of the front three, while captain Michael Bradley returned to his natural No. 6 role, marshaling the defensive half and feeding long passes to wide players.

This is Vanney's starting XI pre-Altidore:

And this is what TFC should look like with Altidore back:

The differences are minor, but the change in playing style certainly won't be; as center-forwards, Altidore and Giovinco couldn't be any more different. Giovinco is a drift-wide false 9 whose small frame makes for a poor target off a cross, but whose nimble footwork makes for a nightmare to defend.

Conversely, Altidore, all 6-foot-1 of him, is a battler, a handful for opposition central defenders. His presence immediately gives Toronto FC an option in the box at which to aim. His frame allows for hold-up from longer crosses, which in turn allows Jonathan Osorio and Will Johnson to come into the play as well.

As for Tsubasa Endoh, the rookie right winger can now end his strong runs with a cross, rather than trying to take on opposing defenders and turning over possession. His best play has come when he utilizes his pace and dribbling.

Most importantly though, with Altidore in the middle, Giovinco is given the one thing he absolutely thrives with - options. Out on the left wing, the "Atomic Ant" can cut in and cause problems for central defenders, potentially drawing fouls for those sweet, inch-perfect free-kicks. Or, he could pick a pass for Altidore to latch onto.

Giovinco could choose to hug the touchline, too, beating his fullback and swinging in a cross or winning a corner. And, because he's a complete x-factor, Giovinco could combine both the touchline and the cut-in and terrorize goalkeepers like so:

Centrally, Giovinco had few options, in part because players like Dan Lovitz or Marky Delgado naturally occupied the spaces the Italian was looking to exploit and partially because he was bogged down by large central defenders and defensive midfielders around him.

You might be asking why Giovinco is such a focus if Altidore is the one returning. It's certainly a fair point. As Toronto FC found out last season, success comes when Giovinco has plenty of options. The Reds lost games where the Atomic Ant was effectively shut down.

Altidore doesn't just put Giovinco into a more natural left-wing position; he also opens up space for Giovinco to exploit. His movement has to be checked, because Altidore has a penchant for reading the line and latching onto through-ball passes.

With all these moving parts, the Rapids might just have their hands full when Toronto comes to town.