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. Nike Air Max 720 Herren Günstig . For one, he still gets to crank the intensity to the max. "I push pretty angry. I ran pretty angry too though, but I have fun doing it," Lumsden said. Nike Air Max Tn Damen Sale .com) - Roosevelt Jones had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead No. http://www.shopairmaxschweiz.com/ . "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. Nike Air Max 97 Silver Bullet Kaufen .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings take aim at an eighth straight victory on Monday night as they wrap up a road trip versus the Calgary Flames. Nike Air Max 95 Günstig Kaufen . Erik Cole scored on a breakaway with 4:49 to play, and the Stars rallied to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on Saturday night.CALGARY - Embarrassed 7-2 by the Calgary Flames two weeks ago, the Anaheim Ducks returned to the scene of that ugly loss Wednesday night and picked up an important victory. Andrew Cogliano scored the go-ahead goal at 14:41 as Anaheim scored twice in the third period in a 3-2 victory over the resilient Flames. "Thats one of the biggest two points of the season, for sure," said Cogliano. "To come back from behind in the third period, it shows where were going as a team and I think its a big statement win for us." Stephane Robidas shot from the blue-line was kicked out by Karri Ramo but the puck went right to Cogliano at the face-off circle, who buried his 21st of the season. "Right place at the right time. It landed right on my stick. When I saw the net, no better feeling," said Cogliano, who put a shot off the post just minutes earlier. "Those are the goals were trying to score, especially myself. Getting to the net, getting some rebounds." Finishing it off wasnt easy, however. The Flames poured on the pressure in the final minute with the goalie pulled. Mike Cammalleris blast came the closest to getting past Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller, but the Ducks hung on. "Its one of those things where theyre just throwing everything at the net and youre trying to find the puck somehow. I found it once or twice there so we could at least get a whistle," said Hiller, who had 32 saves. It was a nice bounce-back game for him after getting chased less than 12 minutes into the last start at the Scotiabank Saddledome after yielding three goals on five shots. "The whole team was upset with what happened last time. I didnt feel I played terribly or whatever but those things happen and its nice if you get a chance pretty quick to do better," said Hiller. "Definitely happy with the way we responded and the way I responded. I thought we played a pretty good road game." Nick Bonino and Mathieu Perreault also scored for Anaheim (47-18-7), which kicks off a three-game road trip to Western Canada with its sixth road win in its last eight games away from the Honda Center. The win moves the Ducks to within two points of the San Jose Sharks and the lead in the Pacific Division. Anaheim still holds two games in hand. Hiller says winning the division is definitely a priority. "It would be great to be up there because if youre second, you have a good chance of playing L.A. in the first round which would be a tough match-up," Hiller said. Brian McGrattan and Jiri Hudler scored for Calgary (30-36-7). Rookie defenceman Tyler Wotherspoon had an assist to give the 21-year-old points inn his last three games.dddddddddddd "Thats the way you learn sometimes, too. You learn from tough losses," said McGrattan, who was playing his 300th NHL game. "Our group hasnt given up all year. Were in every game and work our butts off right until the end and thats a good sign." Its the Flames league-leading 44th one-goal game, one shy of the franchise record set in 2005-06. "If you look at the young guys throughout the year, how theyre showing up against these teams late in the year when were playing San Jose, L.A., Anaheim — were playing all these top teams down the stretch and were giving them a run for the money every night. Thats a lot to build off of as a group and its a lot to learn from," said McGrattan. Trailing 2-1 headed to the third period, the Ducks tied it at 5:32 on Perreaults 16th goal. "We fought hard in the third and got a couple bounces our way and finally we were able to put it in and win the game," said Perreault, who extended his point streak to six games (four goals, two assists). "Coming down the stretch, we play a couple teams that are already out of the playoffs. We have to take advantage of those games." Trailing 1-0 after the first period, the Flames scored twice in the second to take the lead. The tying goal, which bounced off Kevin Westgarths glove in front and then into the net off of McGrattans hip was the rugged wingers fourth goal and 10th of his career. Calgary took a 2-1 lead with 26 seconds left in the second when a pretty fake shot then pass from Ladislav Smid set up Hudler. "Its a good effort. We know we can play with every team in the league but its not good enough — a good effort, we have to get results too. Thats the business of hockey," said Ramo, who had won his previous five decisions. Ramo, who had 31 stops, had his record fall to 13-11-4. Hiller improves to 29-11-6. "They paid the price and when they came to the net, they had a lot of shots and a lot of traffic with them," said Ramo. "They were into the game today, unlike the last game. I think they had a chip on their shoulders when they came here today." Notes: On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the trade of Jarome Iginla to Pittsburgh, the two players they received in return - LW Kenny Agostino and RW Ben Hanowski, were both healthy scratches for the Flames... Calgary LW TJ Galiardi drew back in after missing the past two games... Not in the line-up for Anaheim were D Francois Beauchemin, C Daniel Winnik and LW Matt Beleskey... Anaheims 22nd road victory ties the franchise record, previously done in 2006-07 and in 2008-09. ' ' '