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. Marian Hossa Jersey . Sections of the British media reported Friday that Brooklyn Beckham, the son of United great David, was invited to a training session at the club on Thursday. Patrick Sharp Jersey .J. -- While Martin Brodeur wasnt willing to say he stole one for the New Jersey Devils against the Columbus Blue Jackets, almost everyone else was. http://www.cheapblackhawkschinajerseys.com/jan-rutta-jersey/ . -- The Sacramento Kings have claimed forward Travis Outlaw off waivers under the NBAs new amnesty provision, filling out the frontcourt with another veteran. Bobby Hull Jersey . Villarreals victory in Valencia kept it in fourth place and in control of Spains last Champions League spot. Uche broke free in the area in the 10th minute and was brought down by goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was shown a direct red card. Jonathan Toews Jersey .Y. - Matt Harvey wants to make sure hes on the mound in late October — if the New York Mets get there for the first time since 2006.Michael van Gerwen thrashed Phil Taylor to claim his second Premier League title with an 11-3 victory at the O2 Arena on Thursday. Van Gerwen defeated Adrian Lewis in the semi-final before seeing off Taylor World number one Van Gerwen was barely troubled throughout Finals Night, seeing off Adrian Lewis in his semi-final to set up a date with The Power who beat defending champion Gary Anderson in their last-four encounter.Playing in his fourth consecutive Premier League final, MVG wasted little time in getting out of the traps, racing into a 7-3 lead at the interval and it was the tenth leg just before the break that proved so crucial. With Taylor needing tops, MVG took out 100 with two double tops of his own and that seemed to suck the life out of Taylor, who had led 2-1. Van Gerwen claimed his second Premier League title with a dominant victory over Taylor As he had done earlier in the night, Van Gerwen returned with ruthless efficiency, taking out four unanswered legs to claim a comprehensive victory over Taylor, who remains without a major title since the 2014 Grand Slam of Darts.For Van Gerwen, it is a second Premier League title and a first since 2013 and after topping the regular standings for a fourth straight year as well as setting a new world-record TV average during Week Four, he appears an unstoppable force. Premier League Finals Night recap A dramatic night at the O2 - as it happened There were two moments for me - the sixth leg and that 100 finish in leg 10, Wayne Mardle told Sky Sports.Instead of going 6-4, it went 7-3 and that absolutely devastated Phil Taylor and he was a spent force. Phil was finding it hard to keep tabs with Michael anyway and at that point, that 100 finish was just what he did not need.He [Taylor] came back from the break and he looked beaten. He had a couple of legs, but Michael quelled his enthusiasm and he couldnt get up and running again. Phil Taylor returned to Finals Night but had to settle for runners-up spot Van Gerwen has now won the Masters, the Dutchh and German Masters as well as the UK Open this season and will have his sights fixed on the rest of the majors after a stunning start to the year.ddddddddddddHowever, Mardle says it will be difficult for the Dutchman to secure a clean sweep, he missed out on the Premier League and World Championship last year despite a fantastic season.It will be tough to win everything, explained Mardle, because last year he was as dominant as we have seen anyone, apart from Phil Taylor. Losing finalist Taylor says Van Gerwen put him under extreme pressure during his Premier League final and he could not match the Dutchman But he [MVG] couldnt win the world title - that went to Gary Anderson - and he couldnt win this [Premier League]. He has put this right tonight... but to win it all, I am not sure.Earlier in the night, Van Gerwen had beaten an out-of-sorts Lewis with a blistering display after the interval.Jackpot had mounted a comeback to close to within two legs at the break but a trademark surge through the gears from van Gerwen left Lewis trailing and four straight legs was enough to seal a 10-4 victory and a place in the final.In the other semi-final, Anderson had matched Taylor to trail 5-4, but The Power registered a crucial break at the interval which turned the game in his favour. Defending Premier League champion Gary Anderson was beaten at The O2 Anderson could not get going and despite a late rally from the Flying Scotsman, Taylor held on to claim a 10-7 victory and a place in the final - although it was to be Van Gerwen who had the final say. 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