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Dec 29 '17
VANCOUVER -- Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen was surprised to see star striker Jermain Defoe left off Englands 23-man World Cup squad, but he knows that snub could pay dividends in the long run for their Major League Soccer outfit. Robert Thomas Jersey . Defoe failed to make England manager Roy Hodgsons team announced Monday, instead being named to a seven-man standby list that will only be used in the event of injuries in the leadup to the tournament in Brazil. The 31-year-old Defoe is healthy, scoring goals in MLS and could well take out his frustration at being left out by Hodgson on opponents in North America. "You never like to take benefit from other peoples agony, if you know what I mean," Nelsen said Tuesday. "If Jermain stays with us, hes probably going to be motivated to prove a lot of people wrong, which I suppose is nice for us." That could come as early as Wednesday night when Toronto FC visits the Vancouver Whitecaps in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal. Toronto holds a 2-1 lead after a victory at home in the first leg last week. Even though its a boost for his team, Nelsen also couldnt hide his disappointment. "Obviously devastated for Jermain. Its surprising," he said. "I dont know how Roy Hodgson picks his team. Its a surprising decision -- gutted for the man. I know Ive played against all those guys and I know with 10, 15 minutes to go in a World Cup, I know who Id want with the ball at his feet in front of the net." Defoe said he was stunned not to be heading to Brazil after figuring into all but two of Hodgsons matchday squads prior to this announcement. "I was shocked, like you can imagine," Defoe said after training at B.C. Place Stadium. "Especially when youve been involved in every squad, and then for some reason youre not included. But (I) always remain positive and just continue doing what Im doing. Ive come over here and done exactly what I used to do at home and thats play well and score goals." A veteran of the 2010 World Cup who has scored 19 times in 55 games for his country, Defoe added that he didnt think his move from the English Premier League to MLS had anything to do with Hodgsons decision. "Ive been here two months. Does it really change much? I dont think so," he said. "I mentioned before the squad was announced that the manager, he knows most of the players, even before he was manager. He knows the players. I think the fact of me being here two months, that shouldnt play a factor at all." England is bringing four strikers to the World Cup, including Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck and Rickie Lambert. Defoe said that despite this disappointment, he will remain available for England selection. "Im not going to retire (from the national team) just because someone doesnt put me in a squad," he said. "I would never do that. I would never turn my back on my country because I still feel like Ive got a lot to offer. The games Ive played and just being involved with England over the years, its been great. "I think my record speaks for itself and Ill just try and continue to work hard and enjoy my football." Defoe will remain with Toronto FC and only join up with England if called upon. He added that Hodgson told him: "He wants to go with the young kids. Thats it." Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley, who was named to the U.S. 30-man provisional roster and will leave to meet up with the American camp after Wednesdays game in Vancouver, said he was disappointed for his club teammate. "He and I have developed a really good relationship since weve come (to Toronto), both on the field and off the field," said Bradley, who along with Defoe, joined Toronto FC in a big-money off-season deal. "Ive seen first-hand what a great player he is, what a great person he is and I know how much it meant to him, so on a personal level I know were all really disappointed for him. "Hes taken it exactly how youd expect -- committed and ready to keep going, keep fighting, keep scoring goals here and do as much as he can to help us win in Toronto." With about a month to go before the World Cup, Defoe said he will continue to work hard in MLS and see what happens. "Its still a long way to go. You never know what happens, people get injured, but at the same time if it doesnt happen, then it doesnt happen," he said. "I wish the team good luck, all the young players that are in the squad, I wish them good luck because Ive had that experience, been at a World Cup, and its the best feeling ever. Its special." 20:21ET 13-05-14 Chris Pronger Jersey . Marek Hamsik, who had earlier missed a penalty, headed Napoli in front in the 23rd minute and Pandev added a second goal five minutes from halftime. Alessandro Matri got Juventus back into the game just after the break but Pandev was on hand to score again in the 68th. Carter Hutton Jersey . Here is a look at all the moves through the first week of NHL Free Agency. The most significant deals will get the full Numbers Game column treatment, like these:Briere-for-Parenteau trade.The Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats have not met in an East Division Final since 1986. While that may seem like an eternity, and by CFL standards it is, this battle harkens back to a battlefield of an era that predates this rivalry by several centuries - Ancient Greece. The Argonauts name can be traced back to the Toronto rowing club that adopted that moniker in 1872. It honours the Greek mythological tale of Jason and the Argonauts quest for the Golden Fleece. So how do the Ticats fit into this epic tale? When a team employs an offence that features two different quarterbacks, it has been known to opponents as a two-headed monster. That evokes the Greek mythological creature the Hydra, which had several heads. If one was cut off, another one would immediately grow in its place. The Argonauts vs the Hydra. A super bout for the ages. For the Ticats of current day, Henry Burris gets most of the snaps at quarterback during the course of a game. Dan Lefevour is not only the short yardage QB, but takes over when head coach Kent Austin believes that an offensive play or series that features his strengths is called for. So do the Argos have to change their defensive scheme for Hamiltons multi-headed offence? "Not at all," all-star middle linebacker Robert McCune told TSN.ca. "Were still going to run our defence. When Lefevour comes in, we have a good idea that its maybe a run or some kind of short yardage pass, but Henry can run the ball too, so we have to prepare for both of them." Safety Matt Black had very kind words for the short-yardage specialist. "Lefevour is a great quarterback," said the Toronto native. "You saw what he did at the end of (Sundays) game. Hes a powerful runner and can get the tough yards." Lefevour basically runs a wildcat offence. Black says that the key to stopping it is simple. "Be disciplined," continued the first-year starter. "If your job is to capture the edge, then you have to capture the edge. If your job is to cover the tight end, then you have to cover the tight end. The moment you start getting nosey and peeking is the moment hell pull it or theyll run a trick play and hurt you on it." In theory, it sounds like a great offence to run, unless of course you talk to the starting quarterback. While Burris hasnt been complaining about the rotation, most quarterbacks will tell you they play better when theyre allowed to get into a rhythm, something that Burris certainly wasnt able to do against the Alouettes in the East Semifinal. Argos head coach Scott Milanoovich, a former star NCAA quarterback who played pro in the CFL, NFL, XFL, AFL and NFL Europe, was hesitant to speak specifically about the Ticats situation, but ended up doing so anyway. Brett Hull Jersey. "My personal experience would be that any quarterback is going to tell you the same thing; that theyd rather be out there for every play," said Milanovich after Wednesdays practice. "I assume Henry would say the same thing, but theres been a period of time this year where wed put Zach (Collaros) in on second-and-three, second-and-four, maybe not for an extended period of time like theyre doing, but most quarterbacks generally dont want to come off the field, so I dont know that Henry would feel any different (laughs)." Argos quarterback Ricky Ray has never been a part of an offence that rotates its pivots the way the Ticats do. Early in his Edmonton days, the QB with the hot hand would be the starter, but they didnt rotate as often as Hamilton does. Would Ray find the situation difficult? "I havent had a lot of experience coming out and then going back in," said the East Division nominee for Most Outstanding Player. "You just have to make the best of it. Theres nothing you can really do about it, you just try to stay in it mentally when youre not out there. The biggest thing is just trying to stay loose, staying warm and being able to go back in." So while not ideal for quarterbacks, Hamilton has proven that the two-headed monster can be a dangerous opponent to contend with. How do the Argos slay the beast on Sunday? Toronto rookie linebacker/rush end Shane Horton has the perfect man for the job. "No question, its Vader." Huh? "Vader has the force like nobody else." It should be noted that Horton is a fanatic about the Star Wars series. He wears a Darth Vader tee shirt under his uniform on game days and his Twitter handle is @Darth_ShaneO So how would the Sith Lord defeat the mythological creature? "Hed just give him a force choke with two hands instead of one." Is that what Horton plans to do against the Ticats? "No, no 15-yard penalties. Im going to go below the helmet." In the legend it was Heracles, not Darth Vader, that slayed the Hydra. The Argos are hoping to channel their inner Greek hero on Sunday. Mike Hogan is the radio play-by-play voice of the Toronto Argonauts on TSN 1050 radio. You can hear the broadcast on TSN 1050 in Toronto or online at TSN1050.ca beginning with a one hour pre-game show at noon eastern time, followed by the kickoff at 1pm. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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