ruogu1234
Do³±czy³: 22 Pa¼ 2019
Posty: 330
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 Wys³any:
Wto Lis 26, 2019 08:49 |
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TORONTO -- With Toronto FCs 1-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, TFC has now won as many games as it did all of last season and is firmly entrenched in a playoff position in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. But there was no celebrating after the final whistle blew. And that speaks volumes for how far Ryan Nelsens squad has come. Jermain Defoe scored on a penalty shot as Toronto FC entered the World Cup break on a high note with the win. "Another box ticked," as Nelsen put it. "And we moved on." "Were winning games now, we won that game 1-nil and were a wee bit disappointed to tell you truth with how we played," Nelsen said. "Thats where I hoped wed get to was to start to get the wins and the crowd would be going, We won but we didnt play very well. I was praying for that time to happen. Most of the time in the past it was just praying for wins." Toronto, now undefeated in four MLS games, improved to 6-4-1 and jumped from sixth to fourth in the East with several games in hand. Defoes goal came in the 27th minute, awarded when Nick Hagglund was pulled down in the box. The former Tottenham Hotspur star stepped up and slotted the ball to the far left corner, to the delight of the capacity crowd of 22,591 at sun-soaked BMO Field. It was Defoes seventh goal with Toronto and fourth game winner, one shy of the franchise record. "Ive enjoyed it," Defoe said, reflecting on his time in the MLS. "As a forward, I try to get off to a good start and hopefully relax and enjoy my football, and then I know the goals will come. Luckily the goals have come. "Before you come you can never imagine what its going to be like. But its just been amazing, lucky to be at such a good club, where the players get treated right, playing with good players, a lot of young players, theres a good team chemistry, team spirit which is always important. And I believe that we can do something special this year." It was a strong afternoon for Hagglund, a 21-year-old rookie drafted 10th overall by TFC last year. The former Xavier University defender had several scoring chances, including two in less than a minute midway through the first half. On the first, he forced the Jon Busch to make a diving save. The second, he stretched for a volley that he fired just wide of the net. "I think hes icing his groin at the moment from that volley," Nelsen said, laughing. "Hes just a lovely guy whos not afraid of any occasion. He kind of puffs his chest and just goes for it. Hes just that type of personality. Those types of personalities go a long way not just in soccer but in life. Thats why hes just a pleasure to have around the place." Nelsen said they spotted something special in the defender, which is why the club moved up in the draft to acquire him. "Just that fearlessness, which in my opinion, gets you a long way in life," Nelsen said. "We saw that in him when we interviewed him, we saw that in him when he played. Hes progressing exactly how we dreamed he would be, to tell you the truth. Hell only get better." Hagglund almost scored in the 68th off a free kick after some angry moments from Nelsen and his players. Newcomer Dominic Oduro was sprinting onto a pass in the air that San Joses Clarence Goodson reached up and stopped with his hand. Toronto players were arguing for a red card, but were awarded a free kick instead, which Hagglund headed just wide of the post. "Its been a roller-coaster," Hagglund said of his rookie season. "Its been fun just to get to play with the guys. What a great group, and Nelsen has done nothing but great things, and encouraged me and pushed me forward, and put me in positions where I have to grow and learn and its been exciting." Oduro, acquired in a trade Friday that sent Alvaro Rey to the Columbus Crew, came on in the 64th minute, and the fans soon got to see the blistering speed for which the Ghanian midfield/forward is known. "Hes direct, quick," Defoe said of his new teammate. "I enjoyed (playing with him)." The colourful Oduro is also known for the elaborate designs he shaves into his hair, still had Columbus-yellow stripes died into his hair on either side of his mohawk. The 28-year-old had a career-high 13 goals last season, including two against Toronto. Brazilian Gilberto had been pencilled into the starting lineup, but was replaced by Kyle Bekker just prior to kickoff after Gilberto was injured during warmup. Toronto doesnt play another league game until June 27 when they travel to New York to face the Red Bulls. NOTES: Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley (the U.S.), and goalie Julio Cesar (Brazil) are playing for their countries in the World Cup in Brazil. . . Retired striker Danny Koevermans, in Toronto with his family for vacation, was at the game. Cheap NHL Jerseys . - A week after a late-game debacle on defence, the Pittsburgh Steelers showed they can finish. Authentic NHL Jerseys . -- Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que. https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . -- The Val-dOr Foreurs made it to the Memorial Cup semifinal thanks to their workhorse goaltender and their ability to hang around like a bad cold. NHL Jerseys .In a statement released Friday, the Catalan club said the Brazil stars recovery would be monitored to determine when he can begin training again. NHL Jerseys 2020 . The defeat leaves the 41-year-old Nestor to concentrate on the mixed-doubles event after winning 12 straight matches and winning Australian titles in Brisbane and Sydney with two different partners. "This was a little bit of a let down, but all credit to them," said Nestor.NASHVILLE -- Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne cant wait to test himself in a game. The Predators, who announced Wednesday that they are sending Rinne to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, are cautiously waiting to see if the two-time Vezina Trophy finalist can help them chase down a playoff berth. Both Rinne and the team will have a better idea of where he is after the conditioning assignment for games Friday and likely Sunday in this latest step in his recovery from an E. coli infection in his surgically repaired left hip. Rinne has been limited to only nine games this season. Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators will be monitoring Rinne after each practice and game. "Hes at a point where weve got to find out where he is game-wise and also body and mind," Trotz said of Rinne. The Predators start a five-game home stand Thursday night hosting Tampa Bay just four points back of the Western Conferences eighth and final playoff spot with 23 games remaining. They missed the playoffs last year for only the second time in nine seasons. How quickly Rinne rejoins them depends on how he fares in Milwaukee. Rinne practiced with the Predators on Wednesday before travelling to Milwaukee, and he called this a big day with doctors giving him the green light for the latest step in his long recovery. He has been sidelined since Oct. 24 for an infection in the hip surgically repaired May 9, and Rinne said hes focusing on getting his game back and help the Predators. "So far I feel really comfortable," Rinne said. "Im happy how things have gone in practice and how things have gone so far. I think Im actually a little bit surprised its been going so well. But like I said, its still a process but for sure I feel like Im really close to game shape andd now its just a final couple of games before I jump on the ice with the Nashville team.dddddddddddd" Rinne, 31, is sixth in the NHL with 152 wins since the 2008-09 season and has 30 shutouts since 2008-09, which leads all goalies during that time. He hasnt played since Oct. 22 in a 2-0 loss at Minnesota. He is 4-4-1 with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Predators have played four other goalies this season trying to make up for Rinnes absence. Currently, Carter Hutton is their starter, and he is 13-9-4 with a .904 save percentage and 2.87 goals-against average. Trotz said what theyve been missing without Rinne is a game-changer who can mean the difference in as many as 20 points in the standings each season. "Hes an elite goaltender and steals games maybe when you dont deserve it," Trotz said. "He can steal points." Trotz said theyre not sure what theyll see from Rinne. "Its not about Pekka coming back and being a saviour," Trotz said. "I think its Pekka coming back and adding to our mix. And if he can get his game to the level close to what hes capable of, were a better hockey team plain and simple. To me, its about Pekka for hopefully the next five or six years. Hes a difference maker." Captain Shea Weber, who practiced with the Predators on Wednesday after helping Canada win the Olympic gold medal Sunday in Sochi, said the Predators are definitely excited about the prospect of Rinne returning to the lineup as they try to chase down a playoff spot. "Weve been through a lot this year and to see what position we put ourselves in here four points out coming in its not going to be easy by any means," Weber said. "If anyone can do it, we can." ' ' ' |
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