ekansekans's blog: "df"

TORONTO -- Toronto FC took advantage of a unique MLS SuperDraft landscape Wednesday, trading the first overall pick to the New English Revolution for the fourth pick and allocation money. Toronto started the day with the first and third pick in Thursdays draft in Indianapolis -- and with a definite interest in making a deal. With Chivas USA announcing its intention to pick Connecticut midfielder Carlos Alvarez second overall, Toronto had the luxury of trading down and still having a clear view of the talent available. "We have our eye on several players in the MLS SuperDraft, but we want to come out of the draft with more than just two player picks," Toronto president and GM Kevin Payne said in a statement. "We believe we can still get the players we want at the third and fourth picks, and have our team benefit from the allocation money." Toronto acquired the third pick in a December trade with the Portland Timbers. Thursdays draft opener will be the highest ever selection for the Revs. New England used the second overall pick in 2002 to select Taylor Twellman, who became the clubs all-time leading scorer. New England has talked about acquiring depth at defence and forward. Offence may get more attention since the Revolution ranked 14th in league scoring last season with 39 goals. And Honduran forward Jerry Bengston, who scored a hat trick in the 8-1 demolition of Canada in October, could be absent for stretches due to World Cup qualifying. But there are some quality defenders available. While there isnt a consensus No. 1 pick in this draft, Louisville defender Andrew Farrell has plenty of admirers. A former defensive midfielder and right back, the 20-year-old Farrell moved to centre back his last two years at Louisville. He began playing soccer in Peru, where he lived from age five to his sophomore year in high school during his fathers Presbyterian mission trip. Farrell is just five foot 11 and 165 pounds but scouts marvel at his athleticism and like his speed. Furmans Walter Zimmerman, who missed the MLS Combine through injury, is seen as a stud defender with great leadership qualities. With two picks each in the first round, the Vancouver Whitecaps (fifth and 10th) and Montreal Impact (eighth and 18th) could also make moves on the day. "Its probably not quite as deep as the last couple of years, I think thats the general consensus," Matt Jordan, Montreals director of soccer operations, said of this years talent pool. "But I still think theres opportunity in the draft for all the clubs. "Most clubs probably look at the players that are in this draft with more of a long-term approach." Still for Torontos Payne, every draft has its merits. "Its an unusual circumstance in soccer where you can get players for free basically and then you can build your team around them," he said prior to heading to Florida to watch the MLS Combine. "I dont know how deep a draft it is," he added. "From our point of view, it may be better if its not a deep draft because that makes the high picks more important." Canadian talent may also figure early in the draft. Canadian midfielder Kyle Bekker, a slick playmaker from Boston College, has turned heads at the combine and has moved up the draft ladder. Oregon State forward Emery Welshman, also from Oakville and a teammate of Bekker at the Sigma FC club in nearby Mississauga, also earned kudos at the combine. Michigan defender Kofi Opare of Niagara Falls, Ont., and Denver defender Drew Beckie of Regina were the other Canadians invited to the combine. Indiana Universitys Eriq Zavaleta is an interesting option in the draft. He can play both up front and at the back. Notre Dames Ryan Finlay is a goal-scorer. Teenage Gambian forward Kekuta Manneh has also drawn attention, although is likely to go further down. Payne has talked often of the need for character at Toronto FC, so mental skills will be valued as much as physical attributes. Ten players have already left Toronto, which lurched to a league worst 5-21-8 record last season. Toronto striker Eric Hassli reportedly also wants out, according to the well-informed website soccerbyives.net but TFC may have problems dealing the tattooed Frenchman who made US$790,000 last season. Hassli was close to former manager Paul Mariner, who was fired last week. In Vancouver, coach Martin Rennie said the Whitecaps have built a good foundation and are now looking to fill specific needs. "Last year, we got Darren Mattocks, who became a very good player for us and, now, we think, can become a mainstay of our franchise," he said of the speedy forward. Rennie said Mattocks is a good example of someone who was the best player available and also filled a positional need. "Going into this one, we do hope to find the best player available," said Rennie. "But at the same time, if theyre not in a position that we need, it doesnt really serve a purpose (to choose that player), because with five picks in the draft, youre hoping to get a player who can start for you. So if youve got someone whos an established starter in that position, it might not be a wise move to take that player." The last time the draft was in Indianapolis, in 2007, Toronto used the first pick in franchise history to take midfielder Maurice Edu from the University of Maryland first overall. Edu went on to play for Glasgow Rangers and Stoke City. Cheap Jerseys Sale . -- Its only Week 3 and already the Kansas City Chiefs are so banged up theyve had to alter their practice schedule. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale . As a meaningless 110-106 loss to the depleted San Antonio Spurs wound down on Wednesday night, the crowd stood and chanted "We want Nash" over and over. http://facialhairstyleshq.info/cheapjerseys.html . The "Blade Runner" said Tuesday that he could struggle to defend his Paralympic title in the 100 metres, opting instead to focus on winning again in the 200 and 400. GLENEAGLES -- European Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal has piled the pressure on Padraig Harrington, declaring the three-time major winner has to "at least win" The Barclays event in the United States to be considered for one of his two wild-card selections. Seeking to make his seventh straight European team, Harrington took the clubhouse lead Thursday in the first round of The Barclays by shooting a 7-under 64 at Bethpage Black. He birdied six of his last eight holes in the FedEx Cup opener. The Irishman has to rely on a captains pick becausee he is out of the running for one of the 10 automatic spots on the team for the matches next month at Medinah in Illinois.dddddddddddd. Olazabal had said during a news conference ahead of the PGA Championship earlier this month that Harrington had to produce an "extraordinary" effort to be considered. Olazabal was asked Thursday after his opening round in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the final qualifying event before he announces his picks Monday, to define "extraordinary." He replied bluntly: "At least win." ' ' '