Freischaltung » bar gets raised a bit tonight as the

SEATTLE -- Jermain Defoe gave Toronto FC its moneys worth on Saturday. Defoe, one of Torontos marquee off-season signings, scored both of his teams goals in a 2-1 win against the Seattle Sounders to start TFCs Major League Soccer season. It was Torontos first win to open a season since 2009, and only the second in its seven-year existence. "I thought the guys were magnificent in the first half when it came to their football and magnificent in the second half when it came to their desire and their character," said Toronto head coach Ryan Nelsen. Defoe, who hadnt scored since Jan. 11 for former club Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, needed just 24 minutes to secure the win for his new team. He spoke earlier this week about his desire to perform well in case England coach Roy Hodgson was watching. With his two-goal performance on Saturday, Defoe has renewed hope for inclusion in Englands squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer. "To score two goals on your debut, its a dream," Defoe said. "The England thing is obviously going to be at the back of my mind." After early pressure from the Sounders, Defoe made a run between two Seattle defenders in the 17th minute. Jonathan Osorio, on the ball in midfield, slipped a perfectly weighted pass through the gap, and Defoe nestled the ball into the goal. Seven minutes later, Defoe picked up a loose ball after a Sounders giveaway near their own penalty area. He found space to cut to the right and fire another shot past goalkeeper Stefan Frei. "The first goal was a great ball, and you just have to finish it off," Defoe said. "The second half, we showed great character because they put us under a lot of pressure. Youve got to do that sometimes away from home." Seattle began the second half as it did the first, pressuring Torontos goal. Another big-name signing, Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, made his first important intervention in the 53rd minute. He fell to his right and stuck out his left leg, deflecting a close-range shot from Obafemi Martins out for a corner kick. However, the Sounders pressure would eventually pay off. Seattles own Designated Players, Martins and Clint Dempsey, combined down the right flank in the 68th minute, putting Dempsey in space on top of the penalty area. The U.S. international took a settling touch with his left foot before slamming a right-footed shot low and to Cesars left. The CenturyLink Field crowd of 38,441 came to life, and the Seattle attack continued to press. Torontos back line held, helped by several foul calls by referee Ioannis Stavrides close to its goal, despite dropping into a defensive shell for the last 15 minutes of the game. Notably, Seattle substitute Kenny Cooper got behind the defence with five minutes remaining, but his central pass went wayward under pressure from Cesar rushing out of his goal. Osorio headed clear a tame Sounders corner kick in stoppage time, which effectively closed out the match. "Theres no doubt in my mind that as the season goes on, well continue to improve, and our football will be good," said Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley, another one of the clubs big off-season signings . "Tonight was different. Tonight was about the spirit, the mentality and doing whatever it took to come away with three points." Nelsen downplayed the result throughout his post-game talk with media, choosing instead to expound his desire for consistency over a long MLS season. "Weve got so much to improve on. Were not stupid," he said. "What I like about this team is their heart, their character, their desire -- that they want to win. Thats what you hope for. You build your house on that type of foundation." Toronto (1-0) plays its first home game of the season on March 22 when it hosts D.C. United at BMO Field. Seattle (1-1) takes to the road for the first time the same day, playing the Montreal Impact. Oscar Fantenberg Jersey . Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Buddy Robinson scored 43 seconds apart in the second period to lead the Binghamton Senators to a 4-1 victory over the Bulldogs in American Hockey League action Friday night at the Bell Centre. Marcel Dionne Jersey . - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin has cleared league-mandated concussion protocol and has returned to practice as a full participant. http://www.authenticlakingspro.com/Tanne...kings-jersey/.Y. -- The Detroit Red Wings had just enough time to salvage a point. Nate Thompson Jersey . Braden Calverts Winnipeg rink rallied to defeat Italy 8-7. After giving up three points in the second end, Calvert came back with a single, then stole two more points in the next two ends to tie it up at the fifth-end break. Drew Doughty 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.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Winnipeg Jets got over one hurdle by snapping their longest losing streak of the season. The bar gets raised a bit tonight as they visit the NHL-leading St. Louis Blues. Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also available on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg. Winnipeg had gone 0-3-3 prior to last nights 7-2 victory over the Dallas Stars. The win was much needed for the Jets, who moved to within four points of the Stars and Phoenix Coyotes for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. Winnipeg scored six straight goals after falling behind 2-1 in the first period and four Jets skaters recorded at least three points. Dustin Byfuglien had two goals and an assist, while Blake Wheeler finished with four helpers. Byfuglien has six goals and two assists over his last five games, while Wheeler now leads the Jets with 56 points. Tobias Enstrom and Olli Jokinen both added a goal and two assists, while Jacob Trouba, Michael Frolik and Evander Kane all lit the lamp. Al Montoya, who came in when Ondrej Pavelec was hurt Friday against the New York Rangers, made 25 saves and didnt need nearly that many behind Winnipegs offensive barrage. "These guys battled for me," said Montoya, who picked up his first victory since Feb. 2. "This is what they pay me for. Ive been waiting for this chance." Pavelec is out with a lower-body injury, joined on the sidelines by Chris Thorrburn, Jim Slater and John Albert.dddddddddddd Montoya may get the start again on Monday and is 1-1-1 with a 3.22 goals against average in his career versus the Blues. St. Louis leads the NHL with 99 points, putting it six ahead of the Colorado Avalanche for first place in the Central Division. The Blues have won seven of their last eight, including Saturdays 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators. Patrik Berglund scored twice, while Alexander Steen netted his career-high 30th goal and Vladimir Tarasenko scored. Ryan Miller ended with 30 saves. Berglund has 14 goals and 31 points on the season, including six tallies over his last eight games. "Im playing the same way," said Berglund. "Ive been shooting the puck. Its finding its way in, so its obviously nice." While Berglund is heating up, Tarasenko is out for at least the next six weeks due to a hand injury suffered versus the Preds. The 22-year-old, who has 21 goals and 22 assists on the season, is slated for hand surgery on Wednesday. Miller is 6-0-1 with a 1.70 GAA and .932 save percentage since being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres. He is 13-6-5 with a 2.66 GAA and .909 save percentage in 26 career meetings with the Jets franchise. The Blues have won three straight over the Jets since losing the first meeting of the season between the clubs in a shootout on Oct. 18. They have claimed six of the previous seven encounters overall as well as three in a row and six of eight at home in the series. 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