ekansekans's blog: "df"

Toronto FC created history at BMO Field on Saturday, but their record-breaking moment was certainly nothing to be proud of. Torrey Smith Grey Jersey . A 1-0 defeat to Chivas USA left the club without a point through its first five matches of the Major League Soccer season. Not only is five straight losses the worst start the club has ever made to a season, it sets a new mark for the longest losing run in its history. When Aron Winter was hired in January 2011 the club trumpeted a new philosophy which would provide Toronto FC with its own soccer identity. It was to be an attacking style of play based on the 4-3-3 formation that would excite the fans and permeate throughout all levels of the club from first team down to Academy. It was an ambitious goal, and one that currently seems out of reach. Saturdays performance against Chivas USA did provide some fleeting glimpses of attacking play, but poor finishing combined with some excellent saves by Dan Kennedy left Winters men frustrated. While much of the focus through Torontos dismal start has been on defensive frailties, their attacking troubles are also proving to be a concern. Toronto failed to score for the third straight home match. Service to Danny Koevermans was sporadic until the final 15 minutes when the addition of Eric Avila seemed to make an impact and provided an important link between the midfield and attack. But the chances Koevermans had in the closing stages would have been in the back of the net last year when he was high in confidence and on a run that saw him score eight goals in ten games. Through the first five seasons, Toronto relied upon their home record to provide a foundation for a potential playoff push, but BMO Field has been as far from a fortress as you can get. Three straight defeats at home, two of which came against teams that didnt make it into the playoffs in 2011, has seen all of the optimism created by the clubs Champions League run quickly evaporate. Winter said after the match that his side was unlucky. To a certain extent they were. But good teams find ways to win, and so far this season Toronto have been unable to do that. The main positive to take away from Saturdays defeat was that Toronto looked better defensively. The return of Adrian Cann made a big difference and provided a commanding physical presence at the back that has been missing through the opening weeks of the season. Cann did well to make it through the full 90 minutes after being out since May 22 last year. His return certainly helped matters but doesnt provide the solution. Toronto managed to limit chances allowed to Chivas and barring a missed marking assignment on the visitors goal when Oswaldo Minda headed in unchallenged from a corner, they seemed much more organized defending as a team. Pairing Cann alongside Canadian teenager Doneil Henry may well be the way forward for Winter in the coming weeks, as Canns presence can help a youngster who has undoubted ability but still needs on-pitch guidance. With midfielder Torsten Frings due to return from a hamstring injury in next weeks match against Chicago Fire (Saturday at 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt live on TSN2) the team will receive a further boost. The club has been actively searching for a new central defender in recent days as they look to strengthen a defence that has now gone five games without keeping a clean sheet. Speaking on the radio pre-game show ahead of Saturdays TFC broadcast on TSN 1050, Director of Player Development Paul Mariner said they were close to adding a European defender, but talks broke down on Thursday. Reds Against Reds It seems Toronto FC will be facing international opposition this summer. So far there has been no confirmation from either club, but I understand the Reds will play a friendly against English FA Cup finalists Liverpool at Rogers Centre on July 21. That date was originally scheduled for TFC to play a home match against Chicago Fire – a game that was moved ahead of the new season to mid-September. Its a delicate balancing act in MLS to ensure additional matches dont affect a clubs league play. An international friendly against one of the most recognisable clubs in the world will give Toronto the chance to reach out to a wider audience. It has the potential to be a valuable marketing tool, but only if they get their act together on the pitch in MLS first. Corradis Tribute The world of soccer joined together over the weekend to mourn the death of 25-year-old Italian midfielder Piermario Morosini. Matches in Italy were cancelled and clubs across the globe, including in MLS, held a moment of silence before their games as a mark of respect for the player who collapsed during a Serie B game between Livorno and Pescara. Morosinis death hit extremely hard for Montreal Imapcts forward Bernardo Corradi. The veteran Italian played on the same team as Morosini for Udinese and learned of the news while preparing to face FC Dallas on Saturday. Given the circumstances, he could easily have decided he didnt want to play on Saturday night in Texas, but Corradi deserves much credit for his response. Not only did he choose to start the match, he also scored from the penalty spot. It was Corradis first Major League Soccer goal, a strike he dedicated to his lost friend. MLS on TSN returns this Saturday when Toronto FC take on Chicago Fire. Coverage begins at 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt on TSN2. Terrell Suggs White Jersey .Y. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have discovered a winning formula on the road -- just in time for a late-season playoff push. Ray Rice Super Bowl Jersey . 26 televised UFC card in Chicago. Johnson (16-2-1) won the inaugural 125-pound title at UFC 152 when he defeated Joseph Benavidez in September. Dodson (15-5) won Season 14 of "The Ultimate Fighter" at bantamweight (135 pounds) but dropped to 125 pounds once the flyweight division was added to the UFC. http://www.nflproshopravens.com/terrell-suggs-jerseys . -- Charlie Beljan was worried about keeping his PGA Tour card when he showed up at Disney for the final tournament of the year. Torrey Smith White Jersey . -- The Toronto Argonauts have their offensive leader back. Anthony Allen Jersey . ANNES, England -- As his birdie attempt slipped by the 18th hole, Rory McIlroy gripped his putter tight and looked up in despair to an overcast sky.The clock is winding down until free agent season kicks into high gear. At the stroke of Noon et/9am pt, over 300 unrestricted free agents hit the open market in search of new deals. Free Agent Frenzy coverage continues now on TSN2 and TSN.ca. Coverage is also available on TSN Mobile TV. You can also talk hockey and get breaking news as it happens with TSN.cas live blog now. For many, those new deals will include a change of address. July 1 promises to provide intrigue as the likes of Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Martin Brodeur, Jaromir Jagr and Shane Doan weigh out their options from the NHLs 30 clubs. Last year, teams lined up at Newport in Toronto to make their best pitch to prized free agent Brad Ricahards. Will this Canada Day see a similar bidding war over one of the top available names? In past years, superstars signed just after the market opened, as was the case in 2009 when Marian Hossa inked a massive 12-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks on the first day of open season. Some, like Ilya Kovalchuk, have drawn the process out and took weeks to deciide on which offer is best. Ed Reed Vapor Jersey. Younger players may also be on the move as players who were not tendered qualifying offers by their 2011-12 clubs suddenly find themselves in unrestricted waters. Will teams take a chance on young talents that have been set adrift like Peter Mueller, Guillaume Latendresse and Cam Barker? Some teams like the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals were very active one year ago, locking down key depth pieces and core roster players like Jose Theodore, Ed Jovanovski, Roman Hamrlik and Joel Ward. Meanwhile, other teams - like the Toronto Maple Leafs and eventual Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings - let the day pass without adding any new names to the fold. Instead striking a day later, adding forwards Simon Gagne and Tim Connolly respectively. The bar was set high last summer when the likes of Christian Ehrhoff and James Wisniewski signed large multi-year deals ahead of July 1. Will one high-spending club set the bar for Free Agent Frenzy 2012? The minutes are ticking away until we find out. ' ' '