ekansekans's blog: "df"

As people arrived at Saputo Stadium for the clubs annual end of season awards banquet back on the evening of October 4 last year they were met by the sight of Joey Saputo wearing a construction safety helmet. Donnie Avery Jersey . When he clambered aboard an earth digger to ceremoniously commence the construction a sigh of relief could be heard all around. Finally and almost exactly a year after the club had originally planned for, the renovations of Saputo Stadium were set to commence. Some 1,150 tons of steel and 4,000 cubic metres of concrete later the stadium will open for business Saturday night when MLSs 19th franchise entertain an old friend off the pitch and fierce foe on it – the Seattle Sounders. As he looks out of his office window and sees the players walk across the recently manicured pitch the most relieved man in all of MLS is Richard Legendre. Tasked by the club to spearhead the project, he is both the Impact and Saputo Stadiums executive vice president. "I cannot say we had doubts, but on the other hand we knew that it was very, very tight in the time frame. To build this facility, its almost like a new project and to do it in seven months - including the three months during the winter - we knew it was extremely tight. "On the other hand we didnt have any Plan B. We had told everybody just one scenario - June 16 we play at Saputo Stadium. So with that in mind, whenever I had any doubt you eliminate them very quickly," Legendre told TSN.ca as all around him workers are adding the finishing touches. Not only did the Impact not have time on their side, in early March they had to deal with something completely unexpected. A concrete slab collapsed in a parking area adjacent to the stadium. "That was something that of course we all would have wanted to avoid. Everyone though reacted unbelievably well, especially Olympic Park, as they were the first to be hurt by that. It didnt slow anything down thankfully. It did though increase the work load and it made it much more difficult for everyone involved." Press on they did. Staying within budget, almost an impossibility in Montreal, was a top priority. "It was $23 million of public money and even if there were increases it would not be put on the burden of the public money and not a penny more. From Day 1, that was very important for Joey Saputo and all of our team. It adds to the challenge but the end result is magnificent as everyone will see." In an era where the cost of soccer specific stadiums can cost anywhere upwards of $100 million and more cost control is at the heart of Saputo Stadium. "In our case when we put the two phases together, Phase 1 and Phase 2 it is less than $50 million and we are very proud of that." A number of dignitaries and local personalities will be in attendance for the opening. As will MLS commissioner Don Garber and league president Mark Abbott. MLS Executive Vice President Dan Courtemanche is infusive with his praise. "We have heard great reports about Stade Saputo and look forward to attending the debut of this intimate soccer-specific stadium. Joey Saputo and his family along with the entire Impact staff should be applauded, making their vision for a world-class stadium become a reality. We believe the passionate soccer fans in Quebec will create an electric atmosphere at Stade Saputo, making it extremely tough for visiting clubs." It has long been the leagues goal to have as many clubs as conceivably possible playing in their own stadiums. "Soccer-specific stadiums serve as true homes for the community and these venues are placing permanent roots for the professional game in the United States and Canada. More importantly, each stadium serves as an aspirational destination for the countless young soccer players in the area who will be able to play in the shadows of the venue with the hope of someday playing on the same field as their heroes." Courtemanche adding, "We hope to see an Impact Academy product playing for the first team someday." A stadium is essential, a pitch paramount. "We are pleased to see that Stade Saputo will have a world-class playing surface. While MLS provides recommendations regarding types of grass to install in stadiums, there is no mandate regarding the specific type of grass as we have many different climates throughout the league," Courtemenache disclosed. "MLS does have specifications on how to maintain the field such as playing size, length of the grass and watering on gameday. These guidelines ensure consistency throughout the league." The Saputo Stadium surface has been cultivated and grown over the previous nine months. "Its been ready for a week, which is just an unbelievable accomplishment," stated Legendre. As for the intimacy and atmosphere and even when factoring in the capacity has been increased by just over 50 per cent according to Legendre the design has made the stadium appear more intimate. "Its funny, the last row on the south side that used to feel so far away from the pitch now with the suites behind that row and with the roof on top of it you now feel you can touch the pitch from any row." "I cant wait to hear the Ultras here, their voices will remain all around the stadium." Mere hours away before Impact supporters begin to make their way over to new Saputo Stadium there is work still to be done. Well not quite work. Legendre preferring to compare it to when family and friends are coming over for a special occasion. "Its like when you are having a party at home its the final touches. The guests are coming soon, you think youre ready but if you want to really finalize everything the last 24 hours theres still things to be done but nothing at all major that could in any way effect Saturdays presentation." "Were ready. But when you host a party there is something to be done until the bell rings" That bell will sound when the referee blows his whistle over at Saputo Stadium shortly after 7:30pm Saturday evening. Montreal Impact v. Seattle Sounders can been seen live on TSN2, tonight at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. Coby Fleener Elite Jersey . Defencemen Pat Coyle, Chris Driscoll and Regy Thorpe, goaltender Steve Dietrich as well as forward Curt Malawsky may be named to the Hall of Fame. Coby Fleener Womens Jersey . A few days later, he handled them on the road, too. Garcia pitched seven sharp innings against a previous nemesis and Jon Jay drove in two runs to help the St. http://www.indianapoliscoltsprostore.com/reggie-wayne-jersey . The 22-year-old Marussia driver had the best time of two minutes 49.354 seconds but six drivers -- including Red Bulls Mark Webber -- preferred not to go out in treacherous conditions. "The conditions have proved frustrating for everyone as there has been very little let-up in the rain," Pic said. Andrew Luck Camo Jersey . Against Utah, with four or five players taking turns guarding Bryant, nothing came easy as the Jazz pulled off a 95-86 victory to drop the Lakers to 1-4. "Its tough for anyone to stop him one-on-one," Jazz guard Randy Foye said. Andrew Luck Elite Jersey . With Calgary trailing Edmonton by eight points late in their CFL pre-season clash, McDaniel caught a 15-yard pass from Sinopoli and then a five-yard pass for a two-point convert as the Stampeders rallied to tie the Eskimos 17-17 at 13:54 of the fourth quarter.MEDINAH, Ill. -- Rory McIlroy has gone from being a rookie in the Ryder Cup to a marked man at Medinah. McIlroy is the first European in nearly 20 years to go into the Ryder Cup as the No. 1 player in the world, although the star power of this 23-year-old from Northern Ireland is defined by much more than a computer ranking. He already has won two majors, with a record score in the U.S. Open last year at Congressional and a record margin at the PGA Championship last month at Kiawah Island. His four wins this year are the most of anyone in the world, all against the strongest fields. So it was no surprise when Jim Furyk referred to Boy Wonder as the "present day Tiger Woods" and a "marked man" at this Ryder Cup. Thats the role Woods played for so many years in these matches when he dominated golf. There was a feeling among Europeans that beating Woods was worth more than one point because of the emotional lift it gave the rest of the team. McIlroy doesnt see it that way. "This week Im not the No. 1 player in the world," he said Wednesday. "Im one person in a 12-man team, and thats it. Its a team effort. Theres 12 guys all striving toward the same goal. Im just part of that." But even in this team competition, its easy to get wrapped in a single star, as it was for Woods. Theres only one way to keep score in the Ryder Cup, though its tempting to make individuals accountable. Even when Woods was at his best, he still could only deliver a maximum of five points if he played every match. He never came close, and didnt even produce a winning record until his fifth Ryder Cup. "I dont have a number. I dont have a total," McIlroy said. "I think with the U.S. playing here at home, I think they are the favourites. Its a very strong team. So we know we have got to go out there and play very, very well to have a chance. So if I play on Friday morning, I just want to get my point and then take it from there." Wednesday brought the Ryder Cup one day closer to the start of matches that are growing in anticipation. Both teams look strong on paper, with all 24 players among the top 35 in the world. The Americans are loaded with experience behind Woods, Furyk and Phil Mickelson. Europe has only one Ryder Cup rookie, Nicolas Colsaerts, and has the experience when it comes to winning. It has captured the cup six of the last eight times. And while captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal have preached civility and respect throughout the week, leave it to Ian Poulter to set the record straight on how the intensity can change when the first tee shot is struck Friday morning. "Its not that we dont like each other," the Englishman said. "We are all good friends, both sides of the pond. But theres something about Ryder Cup which kind of intrigues me, how you can be great mates with somebody, but boy, do you want to kill them in Ryder Cup." Poulter is not alone. Among the four American rookies is Brandt Snedeker, coming off an $11.44 million payday for winning the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup. &"Im very, very competitive," Snedeker said. Pat McAfee Womens Jersey. "People dont get that, because Im polite. But I tee it up on Friday here -- tee it up against anybody -- Im going to try to beat their brains in as bad as I can." Love brought the first dose of tears to Medinah when talking about the time spent Tuesday night at a team dinner, when he showed a video of past captains and spoke of the camaraderie in the team room. Then, he dressed his team in bright red pants for a practice session of foursomes, keeping together the same partnerships he had the previous day. Olazabal mixed up his team ever so slightly, with Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia together. They are 4-0 in foursomes. Both teams played only nine holes, trying to conserve energy for the most dynamic three days in golf. Even for such a short practice sessions, fans poured into Medinah and set a tone for the noise level, chanting, "USA! USA!" just for players leaving the practice range. McIlroy, for all his ability, is so unfailingly polite and respectful that everyone likes him. Woods calls him "such a great kid." The gallery adores him. Perhaps for the first time in his career, he might not get a lot of love from the other side of the ropes. "I expect it to be loud. I expect them to cheer for them," McIlroy said. "Hopefully, I wont get heckled, but if I do, then youve just got to stay calm and be focused on the golf and just get on with it." He could not think of a time when he has heard it from a heckler. "But just because of my hair," McIlroy said, touching his curly brown locks. "Nothing too insulting." As for the notion that he has the biggest target on the back of his European uniform? McIlroy says thats nothing more than a compliment. Love doesnt buy into the idea that beating McIlroy is any better than beating a team that features Francesco Molinari or Martin Kaymer. The captain has wondered if a loss by any of his top players would be a boost for Europe, "but I hadnt really looked at it from their side." "I dont know if thats worth scratching my head over," Love said. "I didnt go to bed until 2:30 already thinking about my team. If I had to think about their team, I wouldnt get any sleep, because theyre as strong as we are." Steve Stricker sees it differently. He has become Woods favourite partner over the last three years. They went undefeated in the Presidents Cup at Harding Park in 2009, and were 2-1 as a partnership at Wales in the last Ryder Cup. Stricker has noticed an increase in emotion when playing against Woods, and he believes it will be the same way for McIlroy. "When Tiger was at the top of his game and No. 1 in the world for all those weeks, he was a marked man," Stricker said. "Rory is the guy thats playing the best golf in the world right now, and I agree that hes a guy we all want to beat. ... Whoever it may be, the No. 1 player in the world, playing the best golf in the world, were going to want to beat that player no matter who it is. And it so happens to be Rory." ' ' '