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“Not the prettiest game but we earned that point.” – Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), on Twitter That one sentence sums it up, while at the same time, leaving so much out. Another workman-like effort on a difficult night for Toronto FC earned the team their first draw of the season in a 2-2 tie at Sporting Kansas City. The first half was among the worst 45 minutes of football you will see in Major League Soccer. The lone highlight/lowlight of the first half was Kansas City defender Igor Juliao vomiting on the field. Seriously...that was it...and those watching had the similar nausea suffering through the awful display. The second half was an entirely different game - Talking points...goals...a red card...and controversy. Through it all, 10-man Toronto FC goes home with a point in hand and thats four points in two league matches without Michael Bradley, for those counting at home. This wasnt the Sporting Kansas City team that won the MLS Cup last December. Top players Graham Zusi and Matt Besler are off with Bradley and the US Mens National team. Kansas City coach Peter Vermes was without his five - yes, five - first choice centre-backs unavailable through international duty, injury or suspension. Matters got worse with fill-in centre-back Chance Myers forced from the match in the 36th minute through injury and former Toronto FC midfielder Jacob Peterson moved to the backline. Anyone with experience watching Peterson over the years understands that defending is not exactly his forte. TFC manager Ryan Nelsen dealt with his own selection issues. Nelsen was minus three would-be regular starting midfielders. Debutant Collen Warner was forced to start at outside left, hardly his position of strength. Toronto struggled to maintain possession, yet again – a recurring theme this season. The field was tilted and, post-match, Nelsen complained all big decisions went against TFC. Any Baldomero Toledo-officiated match will leave one feeling that way. In fairness to Toledo, the 63rd-minute sending off of captain Steven Caldwell was most likely the right call – a high, studs-up challenge to the upper leg of Toni Dovante – and the 84th-minute penalty decision against Doniel Henry can easily be debated on both sides of the claim. Toledos decisions seem to be match-defining more times than not. This time around they should be considered harsh but fair. Yet, despite it all, Toronto FC outscored Kansas City 2-1 over the last 30 minutes of football while down a man. Make it two chances, two goals and two weeks in a row with Toronto FC scoring in stoppage time, flipping the script after years of conceding late. It will go down as a crucial point earned when it comes to eventual and expected playoff contention. You must pick up points on nights like these if you expect to be left standing when it comes to the post-season. Its a huge away point from a team with plenty to work on, but resiliency and push-back to be proud of.Here are my five thoughts on the 2-2 draw: 1) Warner Wins - Its incredible how segments of the Toronto FC fan base made up their mind on Warner before he ever touched a ball wearing red. “Not good enough” was a common sentiment. Suggestions as such were absolute garbage. The midfielder was solid in his TFC debut, growing into the match as it wore on. Warner was uncomfortable wide left, frequently moving inside. The team was far too narrow over the first 45 minutes. That isnt all on Warner. What we saw from the start was a player comfortable getting stuck in and one who puts himself in proper defensive positions. The newcomer showed his true worth after a double-change in the 53rd minute moved him inside. His physical presence was an asset and Warner played a massive role on TFCs first goal, not only winning the ball in the middle of the park, but also finishing his run, getting up the wing to provide Jermain Defoe another option on the break. The ball ended up on Luke Moores foot, scoring with a proper left-foot finish. But Warners run forced a defender to him and created a mismatch with Peterson late to recover on Moore. Warner will never be a flashy player, but every team needs honest, specific role players to be relied upon. Nelsen boasted about Warners physical presence post-match. “There was a reason we wanted him,” said Nelsen. Nevermind the detractors, the addition of Warner is welcome and true rewards of the trade will come after Bradley returns, giving him the freedom to get forward and attack. 2) Super Subs – Nelsen continues to get beat up by many for his “tactical” approach. Some may not like his 4-4-2 and team ball possession and consistency in attack must get better for the team to improve while getting the most out of the talented Defoe. Its far too early to make baseless claims that Nelsen doesnt know what hes doing. The head coach has only had a full squad at his disposal once all season, so its some patchwork stuff going on. What I do like is that Nelsens in-game management is growing by the game. Its been much better in recent weeks and particularly on Friday. Kyle Bekker and Alvaro Rey really struggled on the night and the midfield was a mess. Nelsen took off both players in the 53rd minute, bringing on Daniel Lovitz and Moore in their place. Lovitz went wide left and Moore straight-up front. Gilberto moved to a more outside role, almost turning the formation into a 4-3-3. It was a good move that entirely changed Toronto FCs shape. Even after going down a man, the shape was far better and more effective than anything over the first 45 minutes. Its moves like this that clearly suggest Nelsen gets it. Hes still young in his managerial career and is figuring out which buttons to press. I see progress here. Now, he needs a better-rounded team to get the most out of. Added quality at the outside midfield positions would certainly help. 3) Breaking Brad – In back-to-back games Bradley Orr has done a job for Toronto FC, from man-of-the-match consideration last Saturday to scoring the equalizer in stoppage time on Friday. Nick Hagglund did well to play the ball back inside the box after a scramble off a free kick and Orr exposed an inexperienced centre-back duo, finding a soft spot in limited space in front of the goalkeeper and keeping his cool to head home his first goal for Toronto FC for a great finish by a guy emerging as an important squad player. Look for Orr to partner Hagglund at centre-back for next weekends league match against Columbus. He deserves to stay in the team and Hagglund deserves to be beside him – a good combination of veteran presence and youthful exuberance. Caldwells upcoming one-game suspension opens the door for Orr to slide back to centre-half. Orr isnt ideal at centre-midfield and is better suited on the backline. 4) Challenging Challenges – Lets start with Caldwell - he knows better than to fly in for such a clumsy, unnecessary tackle around midfield that saw him sent off. The captain made the argument that, perhaps, it should be just a yellow. Any time you challenge studs-up high on an opponent with clear intent, youre asking for trouble and Caldwell knows better...and he is. Caldwell will now most likely play Wednesday night in the Canadian Championship against Montreal. Fortunate for Caldwell, his team picked him up and earned the point. On the other hand, Doneil Henrys untimely challenge leading to the Kansas City penalty and second goal is all-too- familiar. Its the fourth penalty on the year given up by the 21-year old. The penalty call itself was debatable as Henry came flying across the box to help cover in defence. Juliao played the ball past Henry and crashed into the defender. It was no surprise that Juliao dropped to the ground and the penalty was given. Juliao would have never got to the ball and I wouldnt have given a penalty. The collision was true, but the intention was not. I would have preferred discretion used by Toledo on a call inside the penalty area. An instant Twitter poll with over 50 respondents (@WheelerTSN) showed 52 per cent believing that the penalty was rightfully given. Henry was far too rash in his challenge, sprinting out to the player without any wherewithal to put his body in a position to react. Lumbering into a player just inside the 18 almost never ends well, no matter the intent. It was inelegant from Henry. More discipline and sound defensive one-on-one positional play is essential for the player to grow. I assume he will start alongside Caldwell Wednesday in another chance to prove he has the discipline to play at this level. 5) Cool Foot Luke – It was written in this space last week Nelsen must consider starting Moore over Gilberto for the time-being and Moores second goal in as many games reinforces the argument. The Englishman finished the type of chance Gilberto has let gone to waste in recent weeks. The suggestion Gilberto should head to the bench short-term isnt intended to bash the Brazilian. His work-rate and effort remains desirable, but strikers need do more than simply work hard. There needs to be proper link-up play and the ability to finish. Both need improvement. It looks as though Defoe and Moore have complimentary movement off the ball. Its tough to entirely tell with TFC playing so defensive with not nearly enough attacking play. Starting Moore over Gilberto isnt about killing his confidence - its about doing whats best for the team. Make him earn his way into the squad. It is not preferable, but designated players can be sent to the bench. Claudio Bieler has been banished to the bench at Sporting Kansas City and they keep rolling on. Nelsen has to do whats best for the team and thats not simply handing a spot to Gilberto in the starting XI because hes a designated player. Toronto FC welcomes the Montreal Impact to BMO Field Wednesday April 28th at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt for the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship. Boston Celtics Pro Shop . Case in point: LeBron James vs. Ben McLemore. James was driving to the rim in the first quarter and McLemore decided to try to take the charge, which was quite admirable and predictably futile. Marcus Morris Celtics Jersey .2 million deal for the upcoming season with right-hander Garrett Richards.The person spoke on condition of anonymity Saturday because the announcement hadnt been made. http://www.authenticcelticsteamproshop.com/Cheap-Aron-Baynes-Celtics-Jersey/ . The injury will keep the Finnish forward out of the Olympics. The 29-year-old has 20 goals and 41 points in 56 games this season, his first with Tampa Bay. John Havlicek Celtics Jersey . -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin is already starting to run out of superlatives to describe Scott Kazmir. Bill Russell Celtics Jersey . Cavaliers shooting guard Craig Ehlo makes a solid play on the ball, but still Jordan hits the amazing shot.Heres a new tradition unlike any other — the race to see if the Masters can keep its field under 100 players by April.For the fourth time in the last five years, at least 90 players already have qualified for the Masters at the end of the year with three months of opportunities remaining before the field is set. Each time, Augusta National managed to achieve its objective of keeping the number of competitors in double digits.By far the smallest field of the four majors, the Masters has not had more than 100 players since 1966.Thats what Augusta National prefers. Club chairmen have talked about a small field creating a better experience. Remember, the original name of the Masters was the Augusta National Invitation Tournament.But if the last eight months were any indication, this could be the closest call yet.Of the 90 players who are eligible and expected to compete, 17 earned invitations by winning PGA Tour events that award full FedEx Cup points. Thats up from 12 a year ago, a reminder not only that winning is difficult for everyone but that the PGA Tour is stronger and deeper than ever.There are 13 chances for players not already in the Masters to win a full PGA Tour event and get in. And because the Match Play Championship has been moved from its traditional late February slot, top international players such as Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson and Adam Scott are not expected to play much (if at all) before the Florida swing.The other way to qualify is to move into the top 50 in the world ranking published on March 30. Among those on the outside is Brandt Snedeker (No. 58) from the PGA Tour. Tommy Fleetwood (51), Alexander Levy (53) and Francesco Molinari (55) are also outside the top 50, though they will face some of the European Tours stronger fields during the Middle East swing.Also, the Masters had created a new spot for the winner of the Latin America Amateur Championship, to be played in January in Argentina.A year ago, 90 players were eligible after the first cutoff in December. Seven players not already eligible won PGA Tour events, and Stephen Gallacher was added from the world ranking. Then again, one spot was reduced when Tiger Woods had back surgery a week before the Masters.This year? Stay tuned. It starts with the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, a field that includes four players who won before last years Masters — Scott Stallings, Matt Every, Steven Bowditch and Matt Jones — and are not yet eligible at Augusta.___FALL OPPORTUNITIES: Two years into a wraparound schedule is too soon to analyze trends, though there was one significant change this year.A year ago, Chris Kirk had the worst world ranking of the six winners in the fall. He was at No. 93 when he won the McGladrey Classic. Dustin Johnson had the highest ranking (No. 23 when he won he HSBC Champions), and the others were scattered in between. Jimmy Walker at the Frys.com Open was the only first-time winner.This year provided more opportunity.There were three first-time winners — Ben Martin, Robert Streb and Nick Taylor — among the seven tournaments. The player with the worst ranking? That would be Taylor at the Sanderson Farms Championship (played opposite Shanghai), who checked in at No. 594.Bae Sang-moon was at No. 195 when he won the Frys.com Open, while Streb was No. 177 before winning at Sea Island.The best ranking belonged to Bubba Watson, who was No. 7 when he won the World Golf Championship in CChina.dddddddddddd___SCHEDULE SWAP: Its always good to have solid title sponsors, even better to have sponsors who are flexible.The European Tour discovered that anew when the Turkish Airlines Open — typically the third of four events in the Race to Dubai final series — ran into problems for 2015. The G20 Summit starts in Turkey on Nov. 15, the same day as the final round of the golf tournament. The Turkish Golf Federation feared it would be exceedingly difficult for the events to clash and asked to change the date.The BMW Masters in Shanghai — typically the Final Series opener — agreed to swap.That means the Turkish Airlines Open will be the opening Final Series event, followed by the HSBC Champions in Shanghai and then the BMW Masters. The final event is the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.We are a dedicated partner of golf worldwide, and we were keen to act in the interest of golf, Thorsten Mattig of BMW said.BMW also sponsors European Tour events in Germany and at Wentworth, along with a FedEx Cup event on the PGA Tour.___REACHING OUT, GIVING BACK: The PGA Tour already is involved with military outreach with its Birdies for the Brave program. It added another layer for 2015 by offering military members complimentary or discounted tickets to its tournaments.Starting with the Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, the Birdies for the Brave Military Ticket Program allows active duty and reserve military members, retired military and their dependents to get free admission to 30 PGA Tour events.Discounted tickets to other tournaments also will be available to nonretired veterans.The program is supported by Quicken Loans, the Detroit-based company that sponsors Tiger Woods tournament in the Washington area in the summer. Military personnel only have to visit www.birdiesforthebrave.sheerid.com to access tickets to various tournaments.The Military Ticket Program ... is just one way we express our gratitude to those who put their lives on the line every day to keep America safe and free, said Charlie Zink, the co-chief operating officer for the PGA Tour.Zink is a former Navy officer.___DIVOTS: Waialae Country Club has agreed to host the Sony Open for four more years. This will be the 50th straight year at Waialae. Only Colonial and Augusta National have hosted PGA Tour-sanctioned events for more continuous years. ... Bubba Watson donated his winnings from the Thailand Golf Championship to the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation, which is helping children with scholarships, golf lessons and accommodation. Watson tied for 25th and sent Thongchai a check for $9,250. ... Half of the 84 professionals who already have qualified for the Masters are Americans. ... Medinah Country Club has approved a $3.6 million project to restore the No. 2 course to its original character and upgrading standards of greens, bunkers and drainage. That means Medinah will have invested $14 million since 2008 to upgrade three courses, including the No. 3 course that has held majors and the Ryder Cup.___STAT OF THE WEEK: The Masters currently has 23 players from outside the top 100 in the world — 12 are former champions and six are amateurs.___FINAL WORD: Its as good. I cant believe that Im saying that, comparing it to my lifetime goal to win on the PGA Tour. ... Because the way things went the last two years, I didnt think I would play again or compete again. — Arjun Atwal after winning the Dubai Open. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '