Bring on the bye week. Ray-Ray Armstrong Jersey . It was a difficult Saturday night in Dallas for Toronto FC in a 2-1 loss against the Western Conference best. It was always going to be a tricky test with seven regulars out through injury against one of the top sides in Major League Soccer. Selection is an issue when three goalkeepers dress to fill out an 18-man roster. The return of team leader Michael Bradley to the starting XI and a 21st minute go-ahead goal by Issey Nakajima-Farran gave hope a negative script could be flipped in favour of the visitors. Encouraging plays came few and far between after with TFC failing to cope with sustained FC Dallas pressure and countless set pieces, while reliance on the counterattack didnt come off as planned. The scoreline flattered Toronto FC on the day, even though the points were still up for grabs until late. A goal-line scare for FC Dallas, a non-penalty call and the frustration of breaking down a stubborn TFC back-line all suggested Toronto FC would escape north Texas with a point. Hard work alone wasnt sufficient with Blas Perez 88th-minute-winner the difference. There werent many positives coming out of this one. The performance would have been a good one if this were a Toronto FC of previous seasons. The bar has been raised. Progress towards a consistent brand of attacking football, while giving some kind of regular respite to an under pressure back-line is sorely needed. The bye-week ahead gives ample time to work on system and, most importantly, for the team to get healthy. Manager Ryan Nelsen said pre-game he was happy with nine points through the opening matches, especially considering his new look side still growing familiar with one another amidst unforeseen selection issues due to injury. Toronto remains third in the Eastern Conference, only two points back of joint-leaders Sporting Kansas City and the Columbus Crew, despite an incredibly difficult schedule playing six teams, all in the top four in both conferences. Playing without star striker Jermain Defoe for the last three games makes their current standing that much more impressive.Without further ado, my 5 Thoughts on Torontos FCs 2-1 loss at FC Dallas: 1. Gilberto goes down... - The TSN Turning Point was the call that didnt happen. In the 75th minute with the game tied 1-1, a Jonathan Osorio long ball played Gilberto behind the back line. The Brazilian was on the ball with a clear line on goal before pushed from behind by Kellyn Acosta. The FC Dallas defenders arm was fully extended, clear evidence of the foul, yet neither match official Jorge Gonzalez or his linesman were close or comfortable enough to make the call. Both referees were out of position, trying to catch up to the play. The replay showed Gonzalez had proper sightlines of the incident, but the referee didnt have the bravery to make a vital call. There is no excuse for Gonzalez here - a penalty had to be given. Inconsistent MLS officiating remains a frustration to many and Nelsen had every right to speak his mind post-match – the non-call was an embarrassment. How many more managers will need be fined and, likewise, how many more disenchanted supporters will it take before sustained improvement in MLS officiating is achieved? Theres no question FC Dallas was the better side on the night, but theres also no question that the missed call cost Toronto FC a point, too. 2. … And down goes Gilbertos head – Its been a slow start to Gilbertos MLS career. No goals through five games for the young designated player and very little consistency in his play. The Brazilian was a largely a mystery before signing for TFC and remains so now. What we do know is Gilberto is hard worker with a solid MLS body. His tireless effort putting pressure on the ball and aerial ability are desirable assets. What we dont know, though, is whether he can be a reliable finisher and what his abilities are on the ball. A lack of proper service and attacking build-up has turned Gilberto into an attacking player forced to chase the game and play the role of disruptor. This is hardly the ideal way to acclimate a new player, learning a new league, let alone the language. For the first time this season, Gilberto showed visible frustration by the play around him. He wasnt on the same page with his teammates all night long. He certainly wasnt a match with Osorio up front. The Canadian international is uncomfortable with playing back-to-goal and needs to play a deeper role. As for Gilberto, at one point he got into an exchange with his countryman Jackson after a missed opportunity. His head dropped and the player sauntered back into position for the next five minutes instead of his usual motivated efforts. Its all-important for Nelsen to keep Gilbertos head in the right place, keep him inspired and find ways to bring him into the game. Playing off Defoe, who looks set to return after the bye-week, will help. Designated Player spots are all important in MLS. Big money and a special designation dont allow for much wiggle room in the form of a DP. They simply must produce. Its too early to tell what may come of Gilberto in MLS. All thats certain is he needs to be better. 3. Possession problems – Toronto FC was dominated in possession for the sixth game out of six. FC Dallas, a very good team, worked Toronto to the tune of 61 per cent on the ball and TFC cannot afford to continue to chase the game as they have. It starts at the back. Far too often, the backline is “playing it safe”, clearing the ball rather than trying to keep possession. TFC playing so compact defensively is a double-edged sword - Limiting the passing channels and loading the box have made Toronto terribly difficult to break down, but the problem becomes that the team is falling so deep, there is a lack of balance on the field to get out on attack. The counterattack is only working when their opponents over-commit. TFC needs better rotation and movement from the breakout from their central midfielders and outside wing-backs. FC Dallas worked it to perfection with the wing-back players active getting forward and rotation and support from two tiers in the centre of midfield. FC Dallas had a club record 16 corner kicks Saturday. Sustained pressure put TFC in vulnerable positions with both goals coming from set pieces. The fluidity of the home side was impressive - the transformation swift and pointed by new head coach Oscar Pareja. The short-term counter attack approach has been used by Nelsen out of necessity and can work to a certain degree with the dangerous Defoe on the prowl up front, when fit. Long-term, this tactic will not work. TFC will have to evolve from strictly a counterattack team to one that can build out of the back. 4. Hamstrung by hamstrings – The injury list continues to run long and deep at TFC. Three players missed through hamstring strains Saturday, with Osorio returning from a similar injury. Thigh and calf strains have also been an issue. The reason for so many similar injuries is not known, but is disturbing. Training and playing on a number of different surfaces to start the season is an obvious contributing factor. The wear and tear created by turf cannot be understated, no matter how good an artificial surface you play on. Training methods and physiotherapy techniques will also be closely watched with so many similar injury issues. TFC has wisely proceeded with caution with these hamstring issues, electing to rest players rather than play them and risking further longer-term injury. The MLS season is a marathon. The club taking a long view is a good thing. A limited roster meant for more of a 4-4-1-1 formation Saturday, which simply didnt work. Osorio was often drawn out of position and the attacking formation suffered. There is nothing wrong with a 4-4-2, so long as Nelsen has the players to play the system while staying disciplined in balance on the field. 5. ‘A for Effort – Nothing negative can be said of Toronto FCs workrate through the first month-and-a-half of the season. Nelsen has his team playing in the mold that he did as a player - fully committed and absolutely resilient in compete mode. Its a testament to the effort Toronto FC were mere minutes away from gaining a point in a game they were outplayed. The high pressure on the ball has been an asset and will continue to be. Toronto FC is no longer an easy team to play against. The role of the manager is more than just sending out a formation and changing tactics. A proper manager needs to be a leader and motivator. Theres no question this group plays for Nelsen. As the team gets healthy, Nelsens challenge will be how to get the most out of his roster from a team perspective. Thus far, the initial response among new players impresses and bodes well for further growth over the long run. Next up for Toronto FC is a date with the New England Revolution (2-2-3) May 3rd at BMO Field Nate Solder Giants Jersey .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at LeBron James and the Miami Heat winning their second straight NBA championship. New York Giants Jerseys . But defending champion Elena Vesnina of Russia held off a strong challenge to beat Shuai Peng of China 6-3, 6-4, and there was another hard-fought victory for 2012 runner-up Angelique Kerber of Germany, who defeated Alison Riske of the United States 7-6 (6), 6-4. http://www.nygiantsfanaticshop.com/Customized.html?cat=906 . Second-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States made lighter work of her day as she beat 2009 champion and Swiss wild card Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-3. Two seeds fell: No. 4 Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium lost to Katarzyna Piter of Poland 6-4, 6-2, and No.Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Tobias Rieder scored the game-winning goal in his NHL debut and the Arizona Coyotes held off a fierce Washington surge to snap a string of three straight losses with a 6-5 victory on Sunday. Shane Doan finished with two goals and an assist, Antoine Vermette supplied a goal and a helper and Sam Gagner and Mike Stone also scored for Arizona, which won its first road game of the season after starting out 0-4-1. Devan Dubnyk turned aside 32 shots in the win. Alex Ovechkin tallied a goal and three assists, Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist and Nicklas Backstrom contributed with three helpers for the Capitals, who have been outscored 8-2 in the third period during a four-game losing streak. Sometimes, I get the feeling we want to playing just as hard as we need to. And that is not how I operate. Thats not how you win in this league, said Washington coach Barry Trotz. We have good people in that room, he said. Good talent. You are going to go through some rough patches. You dont find out a lot when things are going really smooth. But you find out a lot and grow a lot when things arent going really smooth. Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward and John Carlson also scored, while Justin Peters allowed all six goals in defeat. After a battle along the boards in the corner, Gagner put the Coyotes ahead 3:05 into the third with a well-placed shot over the shoulder of Peters in tight for a 4-3 lead. The Coyotes added to their lead just over a minute later. Doan hopped on a loose puck after Ovechkin mishandled it near the blue line and snapped a shot over Peters glove. Doan entered the Capitals zone on a 2-on-1 with Rieder, who took a pass and wristed home a shot for a 6-3 advantage. In his first NHL game, he drew two penalties, scored a goal. Wasnt intimidated by the situation one bit, Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said of Rieder. Thats whaat we saw in training camp. Patrick Omameh Giants Jersey. He is a good, young player who plays a smart game. Washington went on the power play and pulled the netminder. Ovechkin sent a pass to Ward in the slot. The puck tipped off Wards stick and the skate of an opposing defenseman before finding the back of the net with 1:53 to play. With the goalie pulled again, Ovechkin fired a shot wide and Brouwer was there to tap the puck into the wide-open net to cap the scoring with 27 seconds remaining. Vermette opened the scoring 7:14 into the first with a wrister on the power play. Washington answered with three straight first-period goals. Wilson tipped Ovechkins shot from the left point through his legs and over Dubnyks glove for a 1-1 game 49 seconds later. Backstrom took the puck up the right side and dished the puck to Carlson, who wristed a shot over the shoulder of Dubnyk to give Washington the lead close to the midway point. The Capitals padded their lead with a power-play marker. Mike Green dished the puck to Ovechkin, who blasted a shot past Dubnyk from the top of the left circle with 3:51 to play in the first. It was all Coyotes in the middle stanza. Stones ripped a shot past the blocker of Peters just as a power play expired to make it a 3-2 game 4:04 into the frame. Arizona tied the game with 3.7 seconds left in the second after Ovechkin took a high-sticking penalty. Vermette dished a pass down low to Doan, who skated out front and sniped a sharp-angled wrister over Dubnyks shoulder into the left corner of the net. Game Notes Ovechkin tied Peter Bondra for the franchise record with 825 points ... Backstrom passed Dale Hunter for fourth on the Capitals all-time assists list with 376 ... The Coyotes have now given up a league-lead 17 first-period goals ... Washington entered the game with three straight wins at home against Arizona. Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys 2019 Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '