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ekansekans's blog: "df"

created on 10/29/2012  |  http://fubar.com/df/b351055

TORONTO -- Riding the momentum of a three-game surge, Toronto FC could have new striker Eric Hassli on the pitch Saturday to help push for a club-record fourth straight win. Tony Gonzalez Youth Jersey . The newly-acquired designated player landed in Toronto on Friday and participated in a light training session with his new teammates at the clubs practice facility at Downsview Park, but head coach Paul Mariner wouldnt commit to using Hassli when the Reds host the Houston Dynamo at BMO Field. "He can play (Saturday)," said Mariner. "What I dont want to do, I dont want to blow him up. Well see how he is ... and well make a decision." The French forward, who arrived via a trade with the Whitecaps a week ago, is still working out an ankle injury suffered while playing for Vancouver on July 14 in Chicago. "Were very excited to have him in the club," said Mariner. "Hes a tremendous presence when you meet him." The 31-year-old Hassli, who stands six foot four and is heavily tattooed, was a fan favourite in Vancouver and adds an imposing figure to Torontos frontline. He scored the Whitecaps first goal in Major League Soccer, and also registered the clubs first MLS red card. But Hasslis playing time dwindled this season under new Vancouver coach Martin Rennie. He only scored twice in 18 appearances, a steep decline from his 10 goals in 2011. Hasslis arrival comes in the wake of Toronto losing top goalscorer Danny Koevermans to injury. The Dutch international had nine goals on the season before going down in the first half of Torontos 1-0 win against the New England Revolution on July 14. Koevermans tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season, leaving a gap in the offence that Hassli will be counted on to help fill. "Lets be honest, when Danny went down it was a really sad moment for us all, and we wondered how we were going to replace his goals," said Mariner. With the team rolling on a season-high win streak -- the Reds already have more MLS wins since July 11 than in their opening four months of the season -- there is a concern of disrupting chemistry. Hassli will be paired on the attack with midfielder-forward Ryan Johnson, who says hes looking forward to the offensive combination. "I remember him when he first came into the league, for the size that he has, his feet are so soft," said Johnson. "For me to play with him now, its a great opportunity for me. And for also the team to make this playoff push. I think it can really happen and getting Hassli is a huge help in that direction." Mariner is looking forward to seeing how the pairing shapes up. "They both bring different qualities," he said. "Eric is a quintessential hold-up guy, get him in the box and I think we have people who can serve him. Ryan likes to drift to inside that left channel, so its almost an ideal partnership." Despite the recent wins, Toronto remains last in the MLS standings, tied with the Portland Timbers at 5-11-4. The Dynamo enter Saturdays match third in the Eastern Conference at 9-5-7 and riding a six-game undefeated streak. Houstons top-scorer is Will Bruin, who has 10 goals on the season, but Mariner and Johnson are more concerned with playmaking midfielder Brad Davis, who is particularly dangerous on set pieces. "My biggest worry, to be perfectly frank, is Brad Davis," said Mariner. "Not saying hes David Beckham, but hes really close with his service from set pieces." Added Johnson: "The biggest thing for Davis is his consistency, where he delivers the ball. Hes on the money all the time, just like Beckham." While Johnsons talk of a playoff push might be wishful thinking, theres no questioning a renewed sense of optimism around the club since Mariner took the reins. The club is 4-2-5, including a 1-1 friendly draw against Liverpool, since Mariner took over for the fired Aron Winter last month. "Hes brought enthusiasm into the club and everyone feeds off it," said former Canadian TFC player and current assistant coach Jim Brennan. "The staff, the players ... its been a joy to work under him and a breath of fresh air. Hes done a great job since coming in. The guys have been thriving off him and the results have been showing." Note: Toronto FC will open its latest CONCACAF Champions League campaign on Aug. 1 at home against CD Aguila of El Salvador. Torontos next CONCACAF game will be Aug. 28 against Mexicos Santos Laguna, also at BMO Field. Michael Turner Womens Jersey . While Crosby did not speak to the media following the morning skate at the Consol Energy Center, Bylsma said his star forward remains status quo. Asante Samuel Jersey .S. Open on Saturday to advance to his fourth junior Grand Slam boys singles final of the season. http://www.atlantafalconsfansprostore.com/stephen-nicholas-jerseys . -- Georgia is dealing with a big loss heading into its Southeastern Conference showdown against South Carolina. Julio Jones Womens Jersey . Crazy games at Coors Field wont be one of them. "This place," Jones said, shaking his head. Thomas DeCoud Jersey . The London, Ont., native skated under 38 seconds in both runs. Her times of 37.997 and 37.884 brought her in at 75.88. Calgarys Anastasia Bucsis took the silver in 76.Captain Ryan Getzlaf and the rest of Team Canada will look to make it two straight wins to start the 2012 IIHF World Championship when they face off against Team USA on Saturday. Canadian forward Alex Burrows will not play as he remains under observation for the next few days as part of the concussion protocol. Defenceman Kyle Quincey has been added to the rsoter and will meet the team in Helsinki on Sunday. You can watch the game on TSN and TSN Mobile TV, and listen live on TSN Radio 1050 right now. The Canadians opened the tournament with a 3-2 win over Slovakia on Friday. Canada opened the scoring in the first period against Slovakia on a pretty play by Getzlaf who straddled the blue line, drew several Slovak defenders, then slipped the puck to Jamie Benn for the goal.. Matt Ryan Jersey. . Jordan Eberle and Andrew Ladd had Canadas other goals, while Cam Ward made 20 saves for the win. The Americans also got their tournament started on a winning note with a 7-2 rout of France on Friday. New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo scored twice and Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty had a goal and two assists in the USA victory. Canada beat the Americans 4-3 in a shootout in the qualifying round during last years Worlds in Slovakia. The Canadians have been knocked out in the quarter-finals each of the last two years at the World Championships and entered this years tournament fifth in the IIHF world rankings. The rankings following the worlds will be used to determine the seeding for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. ' ' '

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