e think he deserves another chance and that our young hitter

The Kevin Payne era at Toronto FC was symbolized by bold promises but few results. The talk of major additions and drastic improvement never really materialized and ultimately played a role in Paynes departure from the club, but following his exit the promises continue. MLSE President Tim Leiweke has talked about Toronto FCs intent to sign two Designated Players next year and the approval from the Board of Directors to spend $26 million. After Head Coach Ryan Nelsen watched his team fall to a 2-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls on Saturday, in what was actually one of the teams better road performances of the season, the rookie coach didnt hold back when asked his thoughts about the clubs position right now. "To tell you the truth, this is possibly the absolute best position Toronto has ever been in," Nelsen told reporters outside the locker room following the match. "Next year, trust me, when you walk out there, there will be a couple of Designated Players and there will be a lot of our players that will be playing in the same organization. "We play against these teams with better opportunities every single week. Just think of this time next year when we have a couple of DPs and we put ourselves in position because of this year. We had to undo a lot of mistakes that were made in the past and now we can build going forward," Nelson explained. Having had the chance to talk in depth with Nelsen on a number of occasions, I know that statement isnt just him trying to sugarcoat the clubs current position. The New Zealander really believes it. However, after seven years of promises followed by failure, it is difficult for Toronto FC supporters not to be skeptical. The clubs announcement that season ticket holders will not have to commit to renewing until January will give fans some extra time to see if the latest promises will be fulfilled, but the teams management is setting lofty expectations. Hopefully the end result isnt another let-down for the long-suffering supporters. Suspension Coming? I was surprised on Saturday night when referee Edvin Jurisevic took no action against Toronto FC midfielder Jonathan Osorio following an incident late in the game at Red Bull Arena. Osorio kicked the ball from close range at the head of New York full back Kosuke Kimura who was on the floor. Fortunately Kimura was able to get up and continue participating in the match, but the outcome could have been much more serious. Those who know Osorio will tell you there is not a malicious bone in his body and Im certain he didnt mean to cause any harm, however it was a reckless play and one that is certain to be reviewed by Major League Soccers Disciplinary Committee later this week. Ryan Nelsen praised the match official following the game for his decision not to take any action, but judging on past incidents reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee, a one -match suspension for Toronto FCs young midfielder seems a likely result. Whatever the outcome, this is just another learning experience for a very talented young Canadian player who has the potential to be an influence for both club and country for years to come. It has been a fantastic season for the 21-year-old who has been one of Toronto FCs few bright spots this year. The Captain Is Back It was great to see Vancouver Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit return to the lineup in San Jose on Saturday just over six months after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the season opener. After just 70 minutes of reserve team action against UBC Thunderbirds, the former United States international was forced into action against the Quakes following an early injury to Brad Rusin. With Andy OBrien and Johnny Leveron both left at home injured, DeMerits comeback came sooner than Head Coach Martin Rennie expected, and the captain played a massive role in helping the team keep a clean sheet. A massively understrength Whitecaps team battled hard to take a point against a San Jose team that holds an excellent home record, and at another stage of the season, it would be viewed as a very good result. However, with time running out in the 2013 season, both sides needed three points at Buck Shaw Stadium to give their fading playoff hopes a boost. Its now just one win in nine matches for Vancouver. Thanks to Portlands draw against Chivas USA, the Caps finished the weekend in no worse a position that they started it, but they didnt improve their outlook either. As they prepare to head to Montreal, they are five points off the playoff places with six matches remaining - three at home, three away. Montreal Impact against Vancouver Whitecaps is live on TSN on Saturday afternoon, with the pregame show kicking off at 1:30pm et/10.30am pt. Randy Moss Jersey . During halftime, Love told The Associated Press he would receive treatment Saturday night and hoped to play Monday night against Houston. "I knew that my quad was bothering me pretty bad so I went out there and tried to move around a little bit and it just wasnt quite right," Love said. Custom Vikings Jerseys . The group of Slava Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Sergei Fedorov, & Slava Kozlov were a dominant force for The Wings at one point in the 90s. http://www.vikingsauthenticshop.com/Vik ... -Jersey/.J. -- All those records, all for naught. Adam Thielen Jersey . The same for both the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. Mackensie Alexander Jersey . Blatter also told reporters Saturday after meeting with Qatars emir that the decision to award the tournament to the desert nation is "not reversible." There have been calls to move the tournament because of Qatars intense heat.CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs want Manny Ramirez to mentor their minor leaguers at the very end of a colorful career that includes two World Series titles and a pair of suspensions for positive drug tests. Ramirez signed a minor league deal with the Cubs on Sunday and will be a player-coach at Triple-A Iowa after he gets some at-bats in extended spring training at the teams facility in Mesa, Arizona. The 41-year-old Ramirez is a .312 hitter with 555 home runs in 2,302 games covering 19 major league seasons. Seven of those were in Boston, where Cubs executive Theo Epstein was the general manager of two Red Sox clubs that won it all with Ramirez playing a key role and earning a World Series MVP award. "While Manny is not and will not be a fit on the Cubs major league roster, we do think at this stage of his life hes a nice fit as a mentor for some of the young talented hitters we have in the organization," Epstein said in a statement. "Manny will coach full-time and play part-time in a limited role that does not take at-bats away from our prospects. "If he shows there is still some magic in his bat, perhaps he will find his way to the major leagues and help another team, but that is not why he is here. We are thrilled that he wants to work with our young hitters and make a difference." Ramirez most recently played in the big leagues in 2011, with Tampa Bay. The 12-time All-Star had a minor league with Texas before the Rangers released him last August. "Im at the stage of my life and career where I really want to give something back to the game that I love -- the game that has meant so much to me and done so much for me and my family," he said in a release. "I know I am nearing the end of my playing days, but I have a lot of knowledge to pass on to the next generation -- both what to do and what not to do." Ramirez was suspended for 50 games in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers after testing positive for a banned drug. He retired in April 2011 instead of serving a 100-game ban for a second positive test while with Tampa Bay, but later agreed to a reduced 50-game suspension and played in the minors for Oakland in 2012. The teaching role for Ramirez is a bit of a gamble for Epstein, who is depending on Chicagos rich farm syystem to turn around the floundering franchise.ddddddddddddThe Cubs lost 197 games over the previous two seasons, and began Sunday in last place in the NL Central with an 18-29 record. "The reality is he is a great, great hitter who can provide valuable insight and knowledge," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said before the game at San Diego. Chicagos top hitting prospects at Iowa include infielders Arismendy Alcantara and Javier Baez, a first-round pick in 2011 who is off to a slow start after he was a late cut by the Cubs following a solid spring training. Third baseman Kris Bryant, the No. 2 overall selection in last years draft, is one of the top hitters in the Double-A Southern League and could make it to Iowa by the end of the season. "The Cubs have some very talented young hitters, and I would love nothing more than to make a positive impact on their careers," Ramirez said. "I am passionate about baseball and about hitting, and I have a lot to offer. While I would love to return to the major leagues, I leave that in Gods hands. My focus will be on working with the young hitters, making sure they dont make the same mistakes I made, and helping the team any way I can." Ramirez was selected 13th overall by the Cleveland Indians in the 1991 amateur draft and rose quickly through the minor leagues, with a youthful exuberance and natural charisma that endeared him to just about everyone he met. He signed with the Red Sox as a free agent in December 2000, helping the franchise win an elusive World Series championship a few years later, then doing it again in 2007. Ramirez led the American League with a .349 batting average in 2002, finished second the next year, and had an AL-best 43 home runs in 2004. But there was another side to Manny -- his lackadaisical play, particularly on defence and the basepaths, rubbed some managers and teammates the wrong way. "Manny has made real mistakes in the past but he has owned up to them and moved his life in a positive direction the last couple of years," Epstein said in a release. "He is in a really great place right now and wants to share the lessons hes learned along the way. We think he deserves another chance and that our young hitters will benefit from it." Cheap Hockey Blackhawks Jerseys Cheap Hockey Avalanche Jerseys Cheap Hockey Stars Jerseys Cheap Hockey Wild Jerseys Cheap Hockey Predators Jerseys Cheap Hockey Blues Jerseys Cheap Hockey Jets Jerseys Cheap Hockey Ducks Jerseys Cheap Hockey Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Hockey Flames Jerseys Cheap Hockey Oilers Jerseys Cheap Hockey Kings Jerseys Cheap Hockey Sharks Jerseys Cheap Hockey Canucks Jerseys Cheap Hockey Golden Knights Jerseys Hockey Team Canada Jerseys ' ' '