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SHAPES OF MLS THE FORMATIONS: Seattle made one change to their first game of the season and it was a predictable one with Clint Dempsey replacing Kenny Cooper in a 4231. Toronto FC were, as expected, in a 442 and all 11 of their starters were different from the opening game of last season. THE GAME: It turned out to be a dream start for the new-look Toronto FC. Two first half goals from Jermain Defoe gave them a deserved lead at half-time and it was that lead that enabled them to sit deeper and weather the Seattle storm in the second half to win the match 2-1. Defoe will rightfully get the headlines and we will touch on his goals and how they came about shortly, but the single biggest reason for Torontos dominance came in midfield where Michael Bradley gave a clinic on how a central midfielder can take over a game. It is important that we remember the first half for more than just the goals. It truly was a perfect away performance in the first 45 minutes, led by Bradley and his partner, Jonathan Osorio. Heading into the game, head coach Ryan Nelsen admitted he was unsure how the team would play together and whether or not the combinations on the field would gel immediately. Bradley and Osorio in central midfield certainly did that. Bradley told me before the game how impressed he was with Osorios intelligence and willingness to learn and work with him as they begin this journey together and, on paper, with Clint Dempsey dropping in, it looked like the pair could easily get outmatched and leave space in behind them, but it didnt work out that way. In the second half, Seattle found an extra gear (or three) and, particularly, after they scored, were a real handful with Osvaldo Alonso dropping deeper and dictating the play. Nelsen recognized this and asked substitute Andrew Wiederman to sit on Alonso when Seattle had possession. Tactically it was a good day for Nelsen, who also switched Rey and Jackson after just 11 minutes and left them on those flanks for the rest of their time on the field. Seconds earlier, Jackson was poor when Dylan Remick got forward and Nelsen was visibly disappointed with his defensive workrate on the play. Remick, unlike Yedlin, showed little more appetite to get forward, allowing Rey to run at him more. Jackson improved as the game wore on and did very well against Yedlin. For Seattle, it was a disappointing day. They lost Brad Evans early through injury and none of their front six impressed until Alonso took over the game in the last 30 minutes. THE TURNING POINT: Toronto FC fans have their 24th minute with Danny Dichio, after he scored the clubs first ever goal, but Defoe went one better than that, scoring both his goals before 24 minutes had been completed. THE POSITIVES: There were many on this day for Toronto FC but getting multiple players involved in the buildup to the goals was excellent. The two were both outstanding finishes in a pivotal 1-on-1 situation with the goalkeeper but it was the buildup to both that once again leaves even more encouragement for Toronto FC. Exactly a minute before Defoe stroked the ball into the net for the first time, Bradley was deep in between the two centre-backs starting another attack. He played a 1-2 twice with Osorio, then gets Steven Caldwell, Mark Bloom and Rey into the attack before the visitors win a crucial free kick. After that is sent in, TFC take the lead…. Nelsen has gone out of his way to stick to a 442 shape and said he wanted Dwayne De Rosario to play up top with Defoe, rather than deeper, but the game is about in-game opportunities and the first thing you see on the Defoe opening goal is De Rosario coming deeper and occupying Chad Marshall, creating the space in behind. The next thing needed is a bit of magic and Osorio creates it with a dribble into space and a ball perfectly set up for Defoe to run into… The second goal was also a lot more than just a finish. Bradley began an intelligent press, followed by De Rosario and Jackson to stop Seattle from comfortably playing through the midfield. Then Marco Pappa received the ball and Bradley pressed him again, this time into a mistake… Pappas poor backpass put Defoe into space and he did the rest but it is important to note another reason Defoe is on a different level than other strikers to have played for this team. At this moment, before the ball even comes to him, he takes a quick look to see the scenario drawn up around him before he goes into the box to make it 2-0. THE NEGATIVES: There were very few. For a starting XI who had never played together before this was a very impressive performance. One thing to monitor is the De Rosario position. Bradley and Osorio were excellent but are far from the finished article as a partnership and will need help with someone dropping in defensively, particularly when the game gets stretched. THE STAR MAN: Defoe was the difference maker and that is exactly what he is. Good teams need goal scorers to ensure the dominance reflected in the performance is the same in the scoreline, but aside from the goals the star man in Seattle was Bradley. One of the biggest tactical discussions at all levels is around how many players a coach should play in central midfield. At the very highest level it is hard to see teams win championships regularly with just two in that area of the field, although teams like Manchester City and PSG are certainly threating that trend. In MLS it is definitely possible to play 442 if you have players like Bradley who can do it all. He is not a defensive midfielder. He is a complete central midfielder at this level, who can ignite counter attacks, read the game to be in the right areas to be an outlet or get the ball to find outlets, and press opponents into mistakes. On Saturday he won seven tackles and made an impressive eight recoveries that helped Toronto in the crucial transition game. (see below for Bradley player map) Toronto FC have waited seven years for a proven goal scorer and on the same day one shows up alongside a midfield maestro who looks like he can dictate MLS games for the next five years. Corey Crawford Jersey . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday. Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. 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Messis public relations firm confirmed Spanish media reports that the state prosecutor has asked for Messi to be dropped from the investigation that began in June 2013.With the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand only 15 months away, competition for places is already beginning to heat up. Speaking on the Rugby Club Agenda, former Lion Alex Corbisiero discussed who, on current form, would make his pack.Here are his choices... 1. Jack McGrath (Ireland)You have got two great English looseheads in [Joe] Marler and Mako [Vunipola], but both have been trading starts and neither have had that stellar game yet.Jack McGrath has been under Cian Healy for a while now, but he is really starting to grow in that role. He is starting to do a lot of things Cian does well: ball carrying, his work rate in the loose, his set piece has come on well.I thought Ireland scrummaged very well against England. He had to deal with Dan Cole and that is a good measuring stick of how a prop is coming along on the chain. 2. Dylan Hartley (England)He has been the spearhead of the England [Six Nations] campaign. Especially the last two games, he really rose to the challenge. I know how good a leader he is and I know he has got that edge to him, but I think fatherhood has given him another layer and he seems to control that edge and channel it.He has got the weight of the nation on his shoulders and he hasnt disappointed. His experience is massive. 3. Dan Cole (England)He has been the rock of England for a long time and is very experienced. There are a lot of young suitors on the charge, but there is no one quite ready who is playing who has taken that mantle from him yet. He has been on a Lions tour and he knows what its about. 4. Maro Itoje (England)This is a future world-class superstar in the making. Im excited at the thought of where he is going to be, come the end of next season when the Lions tour kick off. He is just in his infancy as an international player, but he is not far off that world-class bracket. Im excited about him. 5. Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales)I played with him in the Lions of 2013 and I have got the utmost respect for him as a leader, as a character. His work rate, his experience, his team talks, all the things that he brings - I want him in my team. He is my rock behind my tighthead. His scrummaging weight as well; he ticks all those boxes. 6.dddddddddddd Taulupe Faletau (Wales)He is a versatile back row. His work rate is second to none for a back row, so he is able to play No 6. He is good in the air at the lineout, so you are not losing by picking almost another No 8 in your back row, and he is also very good over the ball, which he has shown over the years. 7. Sam Warburton (Wales)When fit, when healthy, he is a top-quality international No 7. He can spoil the ball and playing with him gave me a real respect for him. His main skill is he is first to everything. If there is a spilled ball, he is first on it; if there is a breakdown opportunity, he strikes on it.He is a great player, a great leader and he has captained a Lions series already. He is captain of Wales and I want that experience in my team. 8. Billy Vunipola (England)He has been one of the real stand-outs of this [Six Nations] competition. He is really growing into this England squad, he has nailed down that No 8 shirt, he looks like he is enjoying it, he has got the confidence and he is going out there and physically imposing himself on everyone.I want him over there in New Zealand going out there and stomping the yard and matching their physicality with his X-factor. Billy Vunipola makes a now trademark charge Honourable mentionsIve picked no Scots and some people might give me a bit of criticism for that, but there are number of them that made honourable mentions. At loosehead, Alasdair Dickinson is definitely there or thereabouts, but its a really congested position. Rob Evans at Wales has really grown into that role as well.In the second row, Ive got Johnny Gray from Scotland. Johnny has really grown into that role, but Maros form over the last two games especially has pipped him into my squad. John Hardie at No 7 has really stood out for me, but Warburtons experience and being on a Lions tour pipped the No 7 shirt.Do you agree with Corbisieros selection? Let us know who would be in your pack by leaving a comment below, or for app users, by tweeting @SkySportsRugby. Also See: Englands Six Nations stars Corbisiero: Itoje a future captain Too soon for Webb? 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The 37-year-old right-hander was let go despite a strong outing Sunday, when he limited the New York Mets to an unearned run and two hits over 5 1-3 innings. He was 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five spring training starts. With Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy out for the season, and Mike Minor on the disabled list through at least mid-April as he comes back from a sore shoulder, the Braves are pursuing a trade, waiver-wire deal or signing. "Its a fluid situation," general manager Frank Wren said. "There could be other things that happen. Be patient." Clubhouse attendants already were preparing for the arrival of right-hander Aaron Harang, who was released from a minor league contract by Cleveland on Monday. If a move isnt made, the opening-day rotation would consist of Julio Teheran, Alex Wood, rookie David Hale and non-roster invitee Gus Schlosser. Ervin Santana, signed late in spring training to a $14.1 million, one-year contract after Medlen and Beachy got hurt, is set to join the rotation the second week of the season after building his arm strength. Gavin Floyd, coming back from elbow surgery, could be ready by the end of April along with Minor. Minor is scheduled to make his first appearance of spring training Saturday in an exhibition at Rome, Ga., against a Braves minor league squad. Floyd is to pitch for the first time Friday in a minor league game. "Out rotation depth will change drastically in a few weeks and that was part of our decision," said Wren, who insisted that cutting Garcia wasnt financially motivated. Garcia, who has won 156 games, was visibly shaken. "I want to pitch, but not going to the minor leagues," he said. "I come here and try the best I can. I threw yesterday the way I want to pitch and they decided to go the other way. ... They made a decision, and I got to go with it." The team trimmed its active roster to 29 players by optioning left-hander Ryan Buchter and outfielders Jose Constanza and Joey Terdoslavich to Triple-A Gwinnett, and reassigning infielders Tyler Greene and Tommy La Stella to the International League team. The demotion of Buchter left another non-roster pitcher, Ian Thomas, as the second left-hander in the bullpen behind Luis Avilan. Chris Archer Jersey . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career. Sergio Romo Jersey . Maximilian Arnold put Wolfsburg ahead in the eighth minute, when the stationary Fallou Diagne allowed him to guide Patrick Ochs cross beyond the helpless Freiburg goalkeeper, and Ivica Olic doubled the lead three minutes later after Luiz Gustavo did well to set him up. http://www.officialraysgearshop.com/Rays-Steven-Souza-Kids-Jersey/ .K. 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