Post by jenny123 on Nov 29, 2013 22:47:26 GMT -5
The Kevin Payne era at Toronto FC was symbolized by bold promises but few results. The talk of major additions and drastic improvement never really materialized and ultimately played a role in Paynes departure from the club, but following his exit the promises continue. MLSE President Tim Leiweke has talked about Toronto FCs intent to sign two Designated Players next year and the approval from the Board of Directors to spend $26 million. After Head Coach Ryan Nelsen watched his team fall to a 2-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls on Saturday, in what was actually one of the teams better road performances of the season, the rookie coach didnt hold back when asked his thoughts about the clubs position right now. "To tell you the truth, this is possibly the absolute best position Toronto has ever been in," Nelsen told reporters outside the locker room following the match. "Next year, trust me, when you walk out there, there will be a couple of Designated Players and there will be a lot of our players that will be playing in the same organization. "We play against these teams with better opportunities every single week. Just think of this time next year when we have a couple of DPs and we put ourselves in position because of this year. We had to undo a lot of mistakes that were made in the past and now we can build going forward," Nelson explained. Having had the chance to talk in depth with Nelsen on a number of occasions, I know that statement isnt just him trying to sugarcoat the clubs current position. The New Zealander really believes it. However, after seven years of promises followed by failure, it is difficult for Toronto FC supporters not to be skeptical. The clubs announcement that season ticket holders will not have to commit to renewing until January will give fans some extra time to see if the latest promises will be fulfilled, but the teams management is setting lofty expectations. Hopefully the end result isnt another let-down for the long-suffering supporters. Suspension Coming? I was surprised on Saturday night when referee Edvin Jurisevic took no action against Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio following an incident late in the game at Red Bull Arena. Osorio kicked the ball from close range at the head of New York full back Kosuke Kimura who was on the floor. Fortunately Kimura was able to get up and continue participating in the match, but the outcome could have been much more serious. Those who know Osorio will tell you there is not a malicious bone in his body and Im certain he didnt mean to cause any harm, however it was a reckless play and one that is certain to be reviewed by Major League Soccers Disciplinary Committee later this week. Ryan Nelsen praised the match official following the game for his decision not to take any action, but judging on past incidents reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee, a one -match suspension for Toronto FCs young midfielder seems a likely result. Whatever the outcome, this is just another learning experience for a very talented young Canadian player who has the potential to be an influence for both club and country for years to come. It has been a fantastic season for the 21-year-old who has been one of Toronto FCs few bright spots this year. The Captain Is Back It was great to see Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit return to the lineup in San Jose on Saturday just over six months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener. After just 70 minutes of reserve team action against UBC Thunderbirds, the former United States international was forced into action against the Quakes following an early injury to Brad Rusin. With Andy OBrien and Johnny Leveron both left at home injured, DeMerits comeback came sooner than Head Coach Martin Rennie expected, and the captain played a massive role in helping the team keep a clean sheet. A massively understrength Whitecaps team battled hard to take a point against a San Jose team that holds an excellent home record, and at another stage of the season, it would be viewed as a very good result. However, with time running out in the 2013 season, both sides needed three points at Buck Shaw Stadium to give their fading playoff hopes a boost. Its now just one win in nine matches for Vancouver. Thanks to Portlands draw against Chivas USA, the Caps finished the weekend in no worse a position that they started it, but they didnt improve their outlook either. As they prepare to head to Montreal, they are five points off the playoff places with six matches remaining - three at home, three away. Montreal Impact against Vancouver Whitecaps is live on TSN on Saturday afternoon, with the pregame show kicking off at 1:30pm et/10.30am pt. www.jerseysbengals.com/Jersey-Carlos-Dunlap.htm . Nestor and Bhupathi, the fifth seeds on the mens side, defeated unseeded Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-2, 6-4. Nestor, who won the Australian Open doubles crown in 2002, was playing his first Grand Slam match with his new partner, the 38-year-old Bhupathi. www.jerseysbengals.com/Jersey-Robert-Geathers.htm . Defensive back Dwight Anderson, 32, and wide receiver Taj Smith, 29, each face one charge of aggravated assault. Anderson and Smith made a brief appearance together in provincial court Thursday and were released on conditions, including that they keep the peace and stay away from alcohol. www.jerseysbengals.com/Jersey-A-J-Green.htm . This week, they discuss the Grey Cup in Toronto, the Canadian national womens soccer team, Alex Anthopoulos and the Toronto Blue Jays and the drama of the NHL lockout. www.jerseysbengals.com/Jersey-Leon-Hall.htm . Aoki told Japan manager Koji Yamamoto that he couldnt take part because he has to prepare for next season with the Brewers, the Nikkansports newspaper reported Wednesday. Pitchers Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers and Hisashi Iwakuma of the Seattle Mariners already informed two-time defending champion Japan they will not be available for the March 2-19 WBC. www.jerseysbengals.com/Jersey-Michael-Johnson.htm . The 22-year-old Taiwanese star, the LPGA Championship and Womens British Open winner, finished at 14-under 202 on Sky 72 Golf Clubs Ocean Course. "It was very tough out there," Tseng said. "Na Yeon Choi was playing so good today.OAKLAND, Calif. -- Kwame Browns season with the Golden State Warriors is all but over. The Warriors announced Thursday that the former No. 1 overall pick is expected to miss at least three months because of a chest injury, putting the much-maligned centres season in serious jeopardy. He will have surgery in the next few days to repair a tear in his pectoralis major, the large chest muscle that attaches to his right shoulder. Brown could return in April if the team is in playoff contention. "Its a blow," Warriors general manager Larry Riley said. "Ive struggled since Ive been here to try to get us a player with some size and a physical presence in the middle. And I was quite hopeful that with Andris Biedrins and Kwame Browns presence in the middle, that we had ourselves in a good situation and that would be productive for us. But thats all kind of water under the dam now." Browns injury is only the latest for a team still searching for its place under new coach Mark Jackson. Point guard Stephen Curry is back in Charlotte, N.C., rehabbing his troubled right ankle -- which he had surgery on May 25 only to sprain it at least three times already this season. He will rejoin Golden State when they play at Charlotte on Saturday, when the team hopes to have a clearer time frame for his return. Biedrins had missed the last three games with a sprained right ankle before returning against the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. But starting small forward Dorell Wright missed the game with a bruised right knee. "Were a no-excuse basketball team," said Jackson, echoing his season-long mantra. Browns injury popped up in the fourth quarter of Golden States 111-106 overtime victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night reaching in to foul Udonis Haslem..dddddddddddd Brown had started the past three games, averaging 9.7 points and 6.3 rebounds and was among Golden States best interior defenders. The Washington Wizards selected Brown with the top pick in 2001, never becoming the force inside so many had projected. He played for the Lakers, Memphis, Charlotte and Detroit before signing a $7 million, one-year deal with the Warriors in December. "Tough loss," Jackson said. "Ill tell you, this guy has done everything weve asked him to do. Hes brought a toughness and a presence to this basketball team. Tough loss for us. Even sitting out there with his shirt on (Tuesday night), still being part of the team, he was a jewel for us." Ekpe Udoh and rookie Jeremy Tyler are expected to see an increase in minutes behind Biedrins. Riley said the team already has explored options to pursue another big man since Browns injury revealed itself in an MRI exam. After missing out on Tyson Chandler (New York) and DeAndre Jordan (Clippers) during free agency, its unlikely Golden State will be able to land an impactful centre without a blockbuster trade. Coincidentally, the Warriors arent the only team searching to replace an injured big man. Atlantas Al Horford went down with a similar injury and is expected to miss at least three months. The Hawks had been hopeful to contend in the Eastern Conference. "Those are strange (injuries) in basketball. You just dont see that. Those are football and weight-lifting injuries," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said before his team faced the Warriors. "You see a lot of defensive linemen, offensive linemen and weightlifters get those injury. The time Ive been in the league, I cant remember another guy with a torn peck, its a strange injury for our league." ' ' '