o pitch," Straily said. "Its just a frustrating day." Bradley

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 Shox Cheap Online . The England international had both goals in TFCs season-opening 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Nike Shox Cheap Nz . This weeks Raptors Report puts a bow on Gays brief, 10-month tenure in Toronto and ponders how his absence will affect the teams offence. Are they a better team without him? In addition to acquiring some valuable cap flexibility, what impact will the four incoming players have this season and beyond? Click here for the Dec. http://www.nikeshoxcheapnz.com/. Called on from the college ranks to replace Andy Reid, Kelly implemented a whole new atmosphere in the City of Brotherly Love and now has the Eagles in the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Clearance Nike Shox . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. Wholesale Nike Shox Nz . Of all the names out there who could realistically be dealt by Wednesdays deadline, Ryan Kesler remains No. 1 on the most desired list. And while were not sure if theyre any closer to a deal, we now have a defined price.BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia spent the first month of the season just one home run shy of 100 in his career. Pedroia reached the milestone with a little panache, hitting a grand slam in the sixth inning and propelling the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. "I was pretty excited to hit a home run. Its been a while," said Pedroia, who had gone 160 at-bats without one. The skid ended when the Red Sox truly needed it, clinging to a 2-1 lead on a night when both clubs were failing to drive in runs. Pedroia drove an 0-2 pitch out to left field in the sixth inning for his second career grand slam and first homer since Sept. 17. "Honestly, I was just trying to drive one run in," Pedroia said. "As a team, weve been scuffling a little bit with guys on." The grand slam put Boston up 6-1 and the cushion was plenty for Clay Buchholz (2-2), who shut down the team with the top record in the American League. Buchholz pitched 6 1-3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out five. He walked three and got himself out of several jams as the As left five on base and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position against Buchholz. "We hit some balls hard. We hit a lot of balls hard, actually -- right at people and then didnt get some hits when we did have some guys on base," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. John Jaso scored Oaklands only run, coming in on a wild pitch after leading off the third with a triple. Boston was having its own struggles with runners on before Pedroia came through in the sixth off of reliever Ryan Cook. Xander Bogaerts and A.J. Pierzynski started the sixth with back-to-back singles off Dan Otero, who began the inning. Otero struck out Will Middlebrooks, then walked Bradley to load the bases with one out. Cook relieved Otero and got Pedroia down 0-2, before he cleared the bases with a shot that just cleared the Green Monster. As manager Bob Melvin challenged whether thhe ball cleared the yellow line before a fan touched it and lost the appeal.dddddddddddd The milestone homer put him in elite Red Sox company as only the second player in franchise history with 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases. Pedroia, who stole his 121st career base in the first inning, joins Carl Yastrzemski (452 home runs, 168 steals). "They told me that after the game. Thats crazy," Pedroia said. "I guess Im getting old. But just having your name anywhere said with his is an accomplishment." Boston hadnt scored since getting a pair of runs in the second inning off starter Dan Straily (1-2). Grady Sizemore led off with a double and scored on Pierzynskis single with one out. Jackie Bradley Jr. added a two-out double to drive in Pierzynski and Boston led 2-0. Straily pitched 4 1-3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out three and walked three. "I felt like every single time, every batter I was behind 2-0. Thats just not the way to pitch," Straily said. "Its just a frustrating day." Bradley ended a potential rally for the As in the eighth with a leaping catch at the centre field wall, then hitting Pedroia with a strong relay throw. Pedroia threw to Mike Napoli as Josh Donaldson scrambled to get back after rounding second before seeing Bradley make the catch. Notes: The series continues Saturday afternoon with Boston LHP Jon Lester (2-4) scheduled to face Oakland lefty Tommy Milone (0-2). .. Oakland played its first game in May after tying the franchise record for wins in April at 18-9. ... Buchholz allowed 12 runs on 20 hits over 6 2-3 innings in his first two starts at Fenway Park this season. ... Boston rookie SS Xander Bogaerts has reached safely in 14 straight games. ... Boston C A.J. Pierzynski was played his 1,700th career game behind the plate. ... Pedroia could catch Yastrzemskis steal total of 168, but Yazs 452 homers are probably out of reach for Bostons pesky second baseman. ' ' '