TORONTO -- Dont expect Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen to shed any tears for cs current crisis in defence. "Weve lost far more than them over the first eight games of our season and nobody felt sorry for us," Nelsen said prior to Friday nights game in Kansas City. "Just because theyre missing two or three, were missing three in our midfield. So actually were probably hurting more than them, to tell you the truth." Nelsen notes he has been able to use his starting lineup once this season, a reference likely to the D.C. United game back in March. While Toronto (4-4-0) has question-marks in midfield, the defensive cupboard is almost completely bare for Kansas City (5-4-2). Matt Besler is with the U.S. World Cup team while Lawrence Olum has been summoned by the Kenyan national team for a two-legged Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Aurelien Collin is nursing a hamstring injury and Ike Opara is out for the season after ankle surgery. To make matters worse, 17-year-old defender Erik Palmer-Brown was sent off for two yellow cards in his MLS debut last weekend, a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire that saw Kansas City give up two penalties. So Palmer-Brown is suspended for Fridays game. Kansas City is also without key attacking midfielder Graham Zusi, whos with the U.S. team. Manager Peter Vermes started the Chicago game with a 3-5-2 formation, with Palmer-Brown between fullbacks Chance Myers and Seth Sinovic at the back, in a bid to work around his lack of defensive options. He had to return to a four-man backline after Palmer-Browns ejection. Palmer-Brown, reportedly a target of Juventus, still made history by becoming the youngest defender to start an MLS game. He turned 17 on April 24. Collin and defensive midfielder Uri Rosell, who could drop back in defence, may be healthy enough to play Friday. But with three games in eight days -- Kansas City hosts the Red Bulls next Tuesday and visits D.C. United on May 31 -- Vermes will likely not want to rush players back. While the MLS champions are still a quality team, they have lost two straight. And a makeshift defence would seem like catnip to Torontos Jermain Defoe, who has five goals in all competitions. Nelsen has questions of his own, facing five games in 15 days. He has lost American midfielder Michael Bradley and Brazilian goalie Julio Cesar to the World Cup. Brazilian Jackson (concussion) is not expected to play and fellow midfielder Jonathan Osorio is doubtful (hamstring, hand injury). Nelsens other questions are selection-related. Rookie defender Nick Hagglund had a strong game against New York in place of Doneil Henry while Bradley Orr, pushed up into midfield, also impressed. Henry, 21, already has 40 MLS starts under his belt but has made some costly errors in recent games. Nelsen, perhaps easing the blow, said he was moved to the bench against the Red Bulls because he had played 120 minutes midweek in Vancouver and had a few knocks. Hagglunds fine play against French star Thierry Henry and Englands Bradley Wright-Phillips, the leagues leading scorer, may extended Henrys time on the sidelines. "Nick was brilliant," said Nelsen. Nelsen, while not showing his hand, rejected the suggestion that time on the bench might offer a mixed message to Henry whom he regularly talks up. "I sat on the bench at D.C. United and I was three years older than Doneil. They sat me," said Nelsen. "Its going to happen. Its going to happen when youre 20, its going to happen when hes playing in the Premier league or in the top level." "Theyre not bumps, theyre life experiences that youve got to deal with. Everyone deals with them in any job, in any profession ... its just how you react." "Generally the best ones find a way on the field pretty quickly," he added. The 21-year-old Hagglund has already won kudos on the field for his no fear approach. Off the field, his bubbly personality is also appreciated. "Hes a massive part of this squad, this changing room, for such a young kid," said captain Steven Caldwell. "He takes a lot of stick. He laughs, he smiles. His personality rubs off on everybody, Hes a pleasure to have here." Nelsen could retain Orr in central midfield and has newly acquired Collen Warner available, although he may have to play on the flank if Osorio, as expected, cant go. Warner was the last man off the practice field Wednesday, chatting with Nelsen en route to the locker-room. Rookie Daniel Lovitz, who has impressed since returning from loan in Wilmington, is another midfield option. Torontos career record against Kansas City is 4-10-4, including 1-7-1 on the road. Julius Nattinen Ducks Jersey . -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have released veteran guard Uche Nwaneri, who started 63 of the teams last 64 games and didnt miss a snap last season. Marcus Kruger Blackhawks Jersey . Utility player Joe Mather was designated for assignment. With the emergence of Jordan Schafer as the Braves centre-fielder and leadoff hitter, manager Fredi Gonzalez said McLouth would play in left while Martin Prado recovered from a calf infection. http://www.nhljerseysofficial.net/Colorado-Avalanche-Semyon-Varlamov-Jersey/ . Milan Lucic and Chris Kelly scored less than 1 1/2 minutes apart early in the third period to break open a tie game, Patrice Bergeron scored a short-handed goal and Thomas made 40 saves, leading the Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Kings on Saturday night. Ryan Kesler Jersey . Bennett, the first-overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, finished with 13 points, a game-high 14 rebounds and two assists. Wiggins, the first-overall selection in this years draft, scored 13 points to go along with three rebounds and two blocks. Rene Bourque Jersey . Lexie Lou earned a commanding 4 1/2-length win Sunday in the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Nolan Ryan is leaving the Texas Rangers again, stepping away from his CEO role 20 years after ending his Hall of Fame career as a pitcher. In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. He is also selling his ownership stake in the team to co-chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson. "It closes a chapter of my life in baseball," Ryan said. "I feel like its time for me to move on to other things. Its been a decision that weighed on me heavily, but I feel like its the right decision. ... At this point and time, its the correct thing for me to do." Asked about the difference in the team announcing that he was retiring and him calling it a resignation, the 66-year-old Ryan paused and then said he wouldnt be the CEO of another major league team and called this perhaps the "final chapter" of his storied career in baseball. Ryans older son, Reid, became president of the Houston Astros earlier this year. Nolan Ryan dismissed any speculation that hes leaving the Rangers to join his son and another of the teams he pitched for and worked for in the past. The move takes effect Oct. 31. Ryan became the 10th president of the Rangers in February 2008 when he was hired by former owner Tom Hicks. Ryan added the title of CEO three years later. He was also part of the ownership group that acquired the team in August 2010, months before its first World Series. Ryans departure comes less than a year after ownership gave general manager Jon Daniels and chief operating officer Rick George new presidential titles and took the presidents title from Ryan. Davis insisted the change in Ryans title earlier this year was just that. "From a corporation standpoint, Nolans authority didnt change at all," Davis said. "On all major decisions on baseball, Nolan made all final decisions." Ryan said the title change wasnt a factor in his decision. "I dont look at it from that perspective," Ryan said. "I just look at it from where I am in life and what I want to do going forward and thats what really drove my decision." George left in July to become the athletic director at the University of Colorado. Daniels attended the news conference at Rangers Ballpark, but left without speaking to reporters. Davis said the ownership group is disappointed with Ryans decision but understands it. Simpson said he tried to talk Ryan out of leaving.dddddddddddd "You dont wake up one day and make a decision of this magnitude," Ryan said. "It was something Ive been thinking about on and off for a while now. Just felt like it was probably time for me to move on." Ryan said he planned to go home and enjoy getting back out to his ranch "and doing things I havent done for six years now. ... I dont know what a year from now might bring. This may be the final chapter of my baseball career." Texas made its only two World Series appearances during Ryans six seasons in the front office. The Rangers have averaged more than 90 wins the past five seasons, though they missed the playoffs this year after losing an AL wild-card tiebreaker game to Tampa Bay. "During times of significant change for the franchise, Nolan has been a constant -- accessible, dedicated and an icon to his fellow Texans who love our game," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "Nolans unique perspective as a legendary player and an accomplished executive has been invaluable to the Rangers franchise." Ryans name has been synonymous with the Rangers for decades. The major league strikeout king with 5,714 spent the last five seasons of his playing days in a Rangers uniform, getting his 300th victory, throwing the last two of his record seven no-hitters and getting his 5,000th strikeout. He retired as player after the 1993 season. His No. 34 jersey is the only one worn by a Rangers player to be retired, and there is a statue of the pitcher at Rangers Ballpark. He is the only player in the Hall of Fame whose bust is topped by a Texas cap. "As his son, I am extremely proud of what he has accomplished as both a player and as a front office executive. He was an integral part of all three of the World Series appearances by Texas teams, in 2005 with the Astros and in 2010-11 with the Rangers," Reid Ryan said in a statement. "He has always treated the game with dignity and respect and has appreciated those that make our game great: the fans, players and employees," he said. The co-chairmen said there are no immediate plans to announce a new CEO. Rob Matwick, whos currently executive vice-president of ballpark and event operations, will take on more responsibilities with the help of others who have also been shifted into new roles. As for representing the Rangers in MLB business, Davis said hed "be the control person for the next two or three years, and Bob and I will rotate that title." cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
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