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sakura698 · Dołączył: 10 Wrz 2019 Posty: 90

Preseason is a time for new beginnings - the chance to start afresh with a belief that anything can happen. Zach Collins Jersey . That was certainly true for Toronto FC as they opened up their training camp in Bradenton last week. The troubles and uncertainties that surrounded the club in recent years have been replaced by a new hope and optimism after an incredible offseason transformation that has included the signings of three new Designated Players, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. I was in Florida for Torontos first training session. The energy and enthusiasm was on a completely different level compared to other years. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the squad has already been assembled and most of the key pieces are already in place. A far cry from a year ago, when Nelsen was heading into his first coaching job with a preseason squad filled with trialists. "Its a wee bit different, Ive got to admit," Ryan Nelsen told me after training in Bradenton. Its nice to have a proper squad together all pulling in the right direction. As you can see by today, the work ethic is there, the character is there and everybody is extremely excited." The difference compared to 12 months earlier is evident in all areas, but especially in personnel. Over half of the squad currently in Florida were not with the team for preseason in 2013. However, Nelsen and the players are talking up the fact that the core of the team that finished the season is still in place. "We havent changed that much, weve probably changed the same as most teams, but weve done it in big names so it makes it even more dramatic. But thats what we had to do with this club. Thats why what we did last year had method in our madness. Weve got some big names and we will have to gel them in, but its a progression and we have to keep moving the club forward." The theme Nelsens rookie season as head coach was "short-term pain for long-term gain," and things have now changed quickly. With multi-million dollar signings amongst a re-shaped squad, expectations are high. But after dealing with a tumultuous first year with the club, Nelsen laughed off the suggestion that there is pressure on him to find a winning formula quickly. "Theres absolutely no pressure," he said. "Whenever you put yourself in a situation where youve brought in good players, everybody else thinks there is expectation but for us we just try and improve every day. In everything we do, we try to become perfect. Whatever people think from outside we dont really care." "I knew the league last year but we didnt have the right pieces to be successful. Now I think we are moving in the right direction, but Im still learning as well. Ill always keep learning. When I stop learning I may as well give up," he said. Theres a new face heavily involved in Torontos training sessions this preseason. Englishman Adrian Lamb has joined the club as Fitness Coach. He has previously worked with Newcastle United, Preston North End and Aston Villa, and he was at Blackburn Rovers during Ryan Nelsens time as a player at Ewood Park. Nelsen told me Lambs preparation and attention to detail is immaculate, and that was easy to see during my time in Bradenton. He has very clear ideas of what he wants from the players and was impressive in the way he communicated to them. Lamb will bring a very professional approach to the teams conditioning this season and will be a key addition to Nelsens staff. In 2013, Toronto FC won just six matches and missed the playoffs by 20 points, but Nelsen and his staff have now been handed the tools they need to turn the ship around. The foundation for success will be laid over the next six weeks, as Nelsen and Co. make sure their team is ready to hit the ground running when the season opens in Seattle on March 15th live on TSN. Terry Porter Jersey . "He came up to me and said, I want to train," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to play Saturday night when Toronto hosts D.C. United, returning to his Major League Soccer squad with mixed feelings about the Americans World Cup run -- sad that it ended when it did but proud of his teams performance. Jusuf Nurkic Blazers Jersey . -- Victor Bernardez tied the game with his second goal in the 95th minute and the San Jose Earthquakes drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Zach-Collins-Blazers-Jersey/ .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Colts by 5RECORD VS. SPREAD — Cincinnati 8-8, Indianapolis 11-5SERIES RECORD — Colts lead 18-10LAST MEETING — Colts beat Bengals 27-0, Oct.ORLANDO, Fla. -- No Tony Parker. No problem for the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs improved their Western Conference-best record to 14-2 Wednesday night, cruising to a 109-91 victory over the Orlando Magic without starting point guard Parker, who was out with an ankle injury. As usual, San Antonio gave a clinic on balance and depth while playing fundamentally sound basketball, getting 52 of their points from reserves. "We count on our bench," said San Antonio centre Tim Duncan, who scored 19 points to share the scoring lead with reserve forward Marco Belinelli. "We have a bench that can change the pace of the game and bring energy." It was Duncan who almost single-handedly brought energy to his team in the first half -- pouring in 17 points while grabbing seven of his nine rebounds. With the game in hand, Duncan didnt play much of the fourth quarter. The Magic played the Spurs tight until early in the second quarter, when they trailed 41-40. But then San Antonio scored 17 consecutive points to take control. Both teams were playing without starting guards: Parker, who had a sprained ankle, and Orlandos Jameer Nelson, who was nursing a sprained foot. Both were injured in games Wednesday night. Not that losing Parker seemed to hamper the Spurs. "Thats the way we are made," the Spurs Manu Ginobili said. "We dont depend on absolutely one player. If we were going to miss Tony for 20 games, thats another thing. But we can replace anybody for one or two games. We are deep. Thats one of the strengths of this team." The Magic, meanwhile, are a young team still struggling for NBA respect after coming off the worst record in the NBA last season, when they were 20-62. They were led by one of their promising young players, Arron Afflalo, who scored 17 points. The Spurs, winners of four NBA titles with Duncan and the defending Western Conference champs, are once again a force, even if headlines and attention seem to always elude them. Brandon Roy Blazers Jersey. "We dont care about that," Duncan said. "Were just here to win games." Ginobili, who added 11 points off the bench, said the Spurs are a veteran team unconcerned with attention and the adulation that might come with it. "We dont have big stars with big names or the sexiness of other teams," he said. "Were a small-market team, too. But were not complaining. Were not a team concerned with what people say about us. Many of us have been here 10 or more years. Were used to it." The Magic battled back slightly in the third quarter, slicing the Spurs lead to 81-70 before San Antonio pulled away again. The Spurs shot 55 per cent and got back on track after having their 11-game winning streak snapped Wednesday by Oklahoma City. They did so by seemingly capitalizing on every Magic turnover. "They are really good and they test your discipline and your ability to do the right thing on both ends of the floor, every possession," Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said. "Thats why they are 14-2." And its a 14-2 record that really shouldnt surprise. Every year the Spurs quietly put together these kinds of seasons. "You cant really think that youre going to start 14-2," Ginobili said. "But we know we have a good team. We know were going to win 50 games. Thats what happened last year, and I think were a better team this year. The bench has been really important. If you look at our depth, youll see a lot of players who can play." The Spurs had five players in double figures -- starters Duncan, Cory Joseph and Kawhi Leonard, and reserves Ginobili and Belinelli. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Parkers status will be a game-time decision against Houston on Saturday night. "Well see how he feels," he said. "His sprain wasnt severe." ' ' '