“Not the prettiest game but we earned that point. Lester Cotton Sr. Jersey .” – Mark Bloom (@markbloom21), on Twitter That one sentence sums it up, while at the same time, leaving so much out.  Another workman-like effort on a difficult night for Toronto FC earned the team their first draw of the season in a 2-2 tie at Sporting Kansas City.  The first half was among the worst 45 minutes of football you will see in Major League Soccer.  The lone highlight/lowlight of the first half was Kansas City defender Igor Juliao vomiting on the field.  Seriously...that was it...and those watching had the similar nausea suffering through the awful display. The second half was an entirely different game - Talking points...goals...a red card...and controversy.  Through it all, 10-man Toronto FC goes home with a point in hand and thats four points in two league matches without Michael Bradley, for those counting at home.  This wasnt the Sporting Kansas City team that won the MLS Cup last December.  Top players Graham Zusi and Matt Besler are off with Bradley and the US Mens National team.  Kansas City coach Peter Vermes was without his five - yes, five - first choice centre-backs unavailable through international duty, injury or suspension.  Matters got worse with fill-in centre-back Chance Myers forced from the match in the 36th minute through injury and former Toronto FC midfielder Jacob Peterson moved to the backline.  Anyone with experience watching Peterson over the years understands that defending is not exactly his forte. TFC manager Ryan Nelsen dealt with his own selection issues.  Nelsen was minus three would-be regular starting midfielders.  Debutant Collen Warner was forced to start at outside left, hardly his position of strength.  Toronto struggled to maintain possession, yet again – a recurring theme this season.  The field was tilted and, post-match, Nelsen complained all big decisions went against TFC.  Any Baldomero Toledo-officiated match will leave one feeling that way.  In fairness to Toledo, the 63rd-minute sending off of captain Steven Caldwell was most likely the right call – a high, studs-up challenge to the upper leg of Toni Dovante – and the 84th-minute penalty decision against Doniel Henry can easily be debated on both sides of the claim.  Toledos decisions seem to be match-defining more times than not.  This time around they should be considered harsh but fair. Yet, despite it all, Toronto FC outscored Kansas City 2-1 over the last 30 minutes of football while down a man.  Make it two chances, two goals and two weeks in a row with Toronto FC scoring in stoppage time, flipping the script after years of conceding late.  It will go down as a crucial point earned when it comes to eventual and expected playoff contention.  You must pick up points on nights like these if you expect to be left standing when it comes to the post-season.  Its a huge away point from a team with plenty to work on, but resiliency and push-back to be proud of.Here are my five thoughts on the 2-2 draw: 1) Warner Wins - Its incredible how segments of the Toronto FC fan base made up their mind on Warner before he ever touched a ball wearing red.  “Not good enough” was a common sentiment.  Suggestions as such were absolute garbage.  The midfielder was solid in his TFC debut, growing into the match as it wore on.  Warner was uncomfortable wide left, frequently moving inside.  The team was far too narrow over the first 45 minutes.  That isnt all on Warner.  What we saw from the start was a player comfortable getting stuck in and one who puts himself in proper defensive positions.  The newcomer showed his true worth after a double-change in the 53rd minute moved him inside.  His physical presence was an asset and Warner played a massive role on TFCs first goal, not only winning the ball in the middle of the park, but also finishing his run, getting up the wing to provide Jermain Defoe another option on the break.  The ball ended up on Luke Moores foot, scoring with a proper left-foot finish.  But Warners run forced a defender to him and created a mismatch with Peterson late to recover on Moore.  Warner will never be a flashy player, but every team needs honest, specific role players to be relied upon.  Nelsen boasted about Warners physical presence post-match.  “There was a reason we wanted him,” said Nelsen.  Nevermind the detractors, the addition of Warner is welcome and true rewards of the trade will come after Bradley returns, giving him the freedom to get forward and attack. 2) Super Subs – Nelsen continues to get beat up by many for his “tactical” approach.  Some may not like his 4-4-2 and team ball possession and consistency in attack must get better for the team to improve while getting the most out of the talented Defoe.  Its far too early to make baseless claims that Nelsen doesnt know what hes doing.  The head coach has only had a full squad at his disposal once all season, so its some patchwork stuff going on.  What I do like is that Nelsens in-game management is growing by the game.  Its been much better in recent weeks and particularly on Friday.  Kyle Bekker and Alvaro Rey really struggled on the night and the midfield was a mess.  Nelsen took off both players in the 53rd minute, bringing on Daniel Lovitz and Moore in their place.  Lovitz went wide left and Moore straight-up front.  Gilberto moved to a more outside role, almost turning the formation into a 4-3-3.  It was a good move that entirely changed Toronto FCs shape.  Even after going down a man, the shape was far better and more effective than anything over the first 45 minutes.  Its moves like this that clearly suggest Nelsen gets it.  Hes still young in his managerial career and is figuring out which buttons to press.  I see progress here.  Now, he needs a better-rounded team to get the most out of.  Added quality at the outside midfield positions would certainly help. 3) Breaking Brad – In back-to-back games Bradley Orr has done a job for Toronto FC, from man-of-the-match consideration last Saturday to scoring the equalizer in stoppage time on Friday.  Nick Hagglund did well to play the ball back inside the box after a scramble off a free kick and Orr exposed an inexperienced centre-back duo, finding a soft spot in limited space in front of the goalkeeper and keeping his cool to head home his first goal for Toronto FC for a great finish by a guy emerging as an important squad player.  Look for Orr to partner Hagglund at centre-back for next weekends league match against Columbus.  He deserves to stay in the team and Hagglund deserves to be beside him – a good combination of veteran presence and youthful exuberance.  Caldwells upcoming one-game suspension opens the door for Orr to slide back to centre-half.  Orr isnt ideal at centre-midfield and is better suited on the backline. 4) Challenging Challenges – Lets start with Caldwell - he knows better than to fly in for such a clumsy, unnecessary tackle around midfield that saw him sent off.  The captain made the argument that, perhaps, it should be just a yellow.  Any time you challenge studs-up high on an opponent with clear intent, youre asking for trouble and Caldwell knows better...and he is.  Caldwell will now most likely play Wednesday night in the Canadian Championship against Montreal.  Fortunate for Caldwell, his team picked him up and earned the point.  On the other hand, Doneil Henrys untimely challenge leading to the Kansas City penalty and second goal is all-too- familiar.  Its the fourth penalty on the year given up by the 21-year old.  The penalty call itself was debatable as Henry came flying across the box to help cover in defence.  Juliao played the ball past Henry and crashed into the defender.  It was no surprise that Juliao dropped to the ground and the penalty was given.  Juliao would have never got to the ball and I wouldnt have given a penalty.  The collision was true, but the intention was not.  I would have preferred discretion used by Toledo on a call inside the penalty area.  An instant Twitter poll with over 50 respondents (@WheelerTSN) showed 52 per cent believing that the penalty was rightfully given.  Henry was far too rash in his challenge, sprinting out to the player without any wherewithal to put his body in a position to react.  Lumbering into a player just inside the 18 almost never ends well, no matter the intent.  It was inelegant from Henry.  More discipline and sound defensive one-on-one positional play is essential for the player to grow.  I assume he will start alongside Caldwell Wednesday in another chance to prove he has the discipline to play at this level. 5) Cool Foot Luke – It was written in this space last week Nelsen must consider starting Moore over Gilberto for the time-being and Moores second goal in as many games reinforces the argument.  The Englishman finished the type of chance Gilberto has let gone to waste in recent weeks.  The suggestion Gilberto should head to the bench short-term isnt intended to bash the Brazilian.  His work-rate and effort remains desirable, but strikers need do more than simply work hard.  There needs to be proper link-up play and the ability to finish.  Both need improvement.  It looks as though Defoe and Moore have complimentary movement off the ball.  Its tough to entirely tell with TFC playing so defensive with not nearly enough attacking play.  Starting Moore over Gilberto isnt about killing his confidence - its about doing whats best for the team.  Make him earn his way into the squad.  It is not preferable, but designated players can be sent to the bench.  Claudio Bieler has been banished to the bench at Sporting Kansas City and they keep rolling on.  Nelsen has to do whats best for the team and thats not simply handing a spot to Gilberto in the starting XI because hes a designated player. Toronto FC welcomes the Montreal Impact to BMO Field Wednesday April 28th at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt for the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship. Marquel Lee Jersey . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team. Tyler Roemer Jersey . Showing more spark after not taking enough challenging shots on goal in their 1-0 loss Friday night, the Bruins had 18 shots in the first period after managing just 25 in the entire opener. Luke Glendening cut Bostons lead to 2-1 at 13:20 of the second period before Milan Lucic scored late in the second and Zdeno Chara added a power-play goal early in the third.VANCOUVER -- Buck Pierce prepared for his retirement from the CFL by getting into the restaurant business while he was still playing. But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. "(Football) is my passion. Ive always been a student of the game and looked up to coaches. "Obviously, (the passion doesnt end) just because you stop playing. That competitive fire will never burn out." Pierce split last season between the Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, throwing for 1,176 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Over nine seasons with Winnipeg and B.C., he completed 1,200 passes for 15,289 yards, 76 TDs and 63 interceptions. "I feel pretty good about (retiring) actually," he said. "I feel that, over the last nine years, its been a great career for me. I enjoyed every minute of it. The teammates, the organizations were the part that were great experiences for me. Its a hard day also, in a way, for me because its what Ive known. Its what Ive been about for the most part of my life. "So its a big day in both ways. But Im also excited about the next phase of my life and moving on." Pierce, a 32-year-old Hutchinson, Kan., native who played collegiately at New Mexico State, originally signed with the Lions in 2005. He was a key member of the club as both a backup and starter through five seasons before playing 3 1/2 seasons with the Blue Bombers. He returned to B.C. last September in a trade that brought wide receiver Akeem Foster to Winnipeg. "Buck was a fearless competitor who never hesitated to put his body on the line for our organization," Lions general manager Wally Buono said in a news release. Pierces career was marred by multiple injuries as he chose to take a hit instead of sliding or running out of bounds before getting tackled. But he said the rewards were worth the punishment. "I wouldnt change anything I played the game the way that I felt this game should be played, and I felt that I represented myself extremely well on and off the field," he said. "Theres always going to be critics, and people are going to say what theyre going to say, but at the end of the day, I represented myself and my family and this league in a positive way." He won a Grey Cup with the Lions in 2006 and led the Bombers to the 2011 championship game, where they lost 34-23 to B.C. "Obviously, winning the Grey Cup in 06 was a big pointt in my life," he said. Howie Long Jersey. "Theres lots of memories. You dont necessarily remember all of the big wins and stuff like that. But when you play almost a decade, you have lots of teammates and you see lots of teammates be traded and all these things, so you have lots of memories that stick with you. "Obviously, when I helped the Bombers get to a Grey Cup in Vancouver, that was a big part, and I felt very good about what we accomplished that year." His final CFL campaign, when he was relegated to third-string status with the Blue Bombers before being dealt, was "extremely difficult." "But its all about what he you take away from situations and what you learn," he said. "I was fortunate enough to get traded to B.C., where it all started, and I had some great games at the end of the year. Im privileged and excited to be retiring as a Lion." Pierce had "extremely minor" arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder following the season and would have needed to get another contract from the Lions. But neither his health nor contract issues affected the decision to retire. "I didnt know what was going to happen (after) last year," he said. "I wanted it to be my decision. It wasnt money. It wasnt about injuries. It wasnt about anything else. It was about where I was at my point in my career and moving forward and taking that next step -- and about taking advantage of some of the opportunities that I have out there." Noting he had reached a state of contentment, Pierce expressed gratitude to fans, teammates and his two clubs alike. "The CFL and Canada have been great to me," he said. "Ive been fortunate to have amazing teammates, great mentors all throughout my career, and have played in great cities in the league -- and became a part of the culture here in Canada." He and his wife Lori, who is from Winnipeg, live in the Manitoba capital and plan to reside there until the future opportunities take them somewhere else. "Winnipegs the place that I call home right now," said Pierce. After announcing Pierces retirement, the Lions also announced the signings of quarterbacks John Beck and Jarrett Lee. Pending any early cuts following a mini-camp, the Lions are slated to have five quarterbacks at training camp in June in Kamloops, B.C. In addition to starter Travis Lulay, whose recovery from off-season shoulder surgery is considered ahead of schedule, the Lions have holdover QBs Joey Elliott, the apparent No. 2 at this point, and second-year pro Chris Hart. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '