Manchester City moved into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Womens Champions League with a 2-1 aggregate win over Brondby. Womens Super League champions City held onto their first-leg advantage thanks to a 1-1 draw in Denmark on Wednesday, with both goals coming inside a minute during a tense second half.Brondby had an early chance but Louise Kristiansen dragged her effort wide, and City proved dangerous when they ventured forward with Toni Duggan being denied by a Katrine Abel save. Nikita Parris wasted a decent opening when she fired over the bar towards the end of a goalless opening 45 minutes.Jill Scott went even closer just after the break but her header was cleared off the line and Parris then saw a shot come back off the crossbar as Citys pressure continued.That pressure would pay off in the 65th minute when leading scorer Jane Ross played provider, holding off a Brondby defender before playing in Duggan, who spun and smashed home a volley. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Their lead would last only a matter of seconds with a mistake at the back giving Christiansen the chance to get on to Julie Tavlo-Peterssons cross and score at the second attempt.But, even though Nicoline Sorensen went close with a header for the home side, City would hold on to their lead and secure a place in the last eight, with the draw scheduled to take place on November 25.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: Man City video Man City fixtures Man City stats Get a £10 free bet! Steve Blake Jersey .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup. Blazers Jerseys China .ca! Hi Kerry, The recent issues in the Boston-Pittsburgh game have highlighted a number of officiating, game control, and player sportsmanship aspects. https://www.cheapblazersonline.com/538i-...azers.html. -- Byron Scott is taking over the Los Angeles Lakers with the vocal support of his fellow Showtime greats. Damian Lillard Jersey . -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are tightening the race for second place in the Atlantic Division. Lionel Hollins Jersey . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Sidney Crosby went through a cluster of New York Islanders like they werent even there. With the puck on his stick in overtime, all he saw was the net. And then he hit it. Crosby, who scored the tying goal in the third period, netted the winner with a brilliant individual effort 3:44 into overtime as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-2 on Tuesday night. He stole the puck from Thomas Vanek just outside the New York blue line, streaked down the middle between two defenceman and jammed a backhander past Anders Nilsson for his 15th goal. "The puck just came to me, and I found a way," Crosby said. "I had some time to wind up and get some speed. It was a good situation. "I didnt notice how many guys were hanging on me. I just went for the net." Simple enough for Sid the Kid, who had made it 2-all with 12:00 left in regulation by firing in a one-timer from the right circle off a pass from Evgeni Malkin. Nilsson was the hard-luck loser in overtime for the second straight game. New York, which has dropped seven straight (0-5-2), gave up the lead late to Washington on Saturday and was beaten in overtime on a goal by Alex Ovechkin. "Every goal you let in is frustrating," said Nilsson, who made 31 saves in his seventh NHL game. "I thought I should have had the winner from Ovi and I should have the winner tonight." Malkin assisted on power-play goals by James Neal and Crosby to back Marc-Andre Fleury, who made 21 saves. His best stop came on Frans Nielsens penalty shot in the third when New York led 2-1. If a standard penalty was called instead of a penalty shot, it would have wiped out the rest of the Penguins power play that produced the tying goal. "That definitely might have changed things," Crosby said. Kyle Okposo scored twice in the first period for the Islanders, who are third from the bottom in the East. Despite the gap in the standings, the Islanders play the Penguins much tighter on the ice. The teams have split two games in Pittsburgh this season, following the Penguins six-game, first-round playoff triumph over New York last spring. "The rivalry is real," Fleury said. "They play us close and really make us work. They are a good team against us just about every time we play them." The Penguins (19-9-1) moved one point ahead of iidle Boston atop the Eastern Conference with their fourth straight win, and completed a 3-0 road trip.dddddddddddd Pittsburghs potent power play, ranked No. 1 in the NHL, got the Penguins back in the game. Neal connected in the final seconds of the second period, and Crosby tied it in the third. Nilsson held off the Penguins long enough for New York to salvage a point in the standings. John Tavares assisted on both of Okposos goals. "I thought we played very well," Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. "We really needed that third one and didnt get it. Its very hard for us to win with two goals. "It came down to special teams again. My frustration is the same as what the players are feeling because weve all been there." Okposo hadnt scored in eight games but he broke out with two during a 4:35 span of the first and nearly netted a third before the intermission. He backhanded a shot from the bottom of the left circle into the crease. The puck and Tavares, along with Crosby and Kris Letang of the Penguins all arrived on Fleurys doorstep at the same time. It found its way in off of Letang to make it 1-0 with 7:05 left. Okposo got even more help on his second goal, which was his eighth of the season. He wound up from above the right circle and ripped a drive that struck Fleury and then squeezed under his left arm before trickling behind him with 2:30 to go. Pittsburgh had a chance to cut into its deficit late in the frame when Vanek and Aaron Ness took penalties 1:17 apart, giving the Penguins a two-man advantage that lasted the final 37.3 seconds of the first period and 5 seconds of the second. What Pittsburgh couldnt do in the first, it did in the second when Neal notched a power-play goal with 15.6 seconds left off a feed in front from Malkin, who extended his point and assist streaks to nine games. He has 15 assists and 19 points during the run, earning star of the week and month honours in the NHL. Neal scored his ninth goal of the season and seventh in six games to make it 2-1. He has 17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in the last 13 games. NOTES: Malkin had league-best 25 points and 21 assists in November, the most assists in a month since Wayne Gretzky also had 21 in January 1996. ... The Islanders hadnt scored first in seven games and hadnt held a two-goal lead since a 3-2 loss to Los Angeles on Nov. 14. ' ' '
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Stephen Curry had 30 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors clinched a playoff berth with a 112-95 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Klay Thompson and Marreese Speights scored 16 points apiece for the Warriors, who will make back-to-back post-season appearances for the first time in more than two decades. After blowing a 20-point lead and a chance to clinch at home against Denver on Thursday night, Curry and the Warriors are back in the post-season after snapping an 11-game road losing streak against the Lakers. Nick Young scored 25 points for the Lakers, who set a franchise low with the 54th loss of their miserable season. The 1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers lost 53 times in their 72-game season. Curry, who hit four 3-pointers, grabbed a defensive rebound with 41 seconds left to wrap up his fifth career triple-double. The speedy point guard is the first Warriors player with four triple-doubles in a single season since Wilt Chamberlain had five in 1962-63. The Warriors had little trouble with the remnants of the Lakers, opening a 20-point lead in the third quarter and cruising to just their second road win over the 16-time NBA champions in 22 games. Steve Nash and Pau Gasol sat out for the Lakers, who will miss the playoffs for just the third time since 1976. Golden State also won its season series with the Lakers for the first time since 1994-95, and the Warriors victory was their 49th, one shy of the franchises first 50-win season since 1993-94. The Warriors are likely to be the Western Conferences sixth seed, which would mean theyll return to Staples Center next week to face the Pacific Division champion Clippers. Steve Blake had 13 points, five assists and five rebounds in his first road game against the Lakers since they traded him to Golden State on Feb. 19. The veteran point guard hit three 3-pointers during his highest-scoring game since joining the Warriors. Only nine Lakers suited up, thanks to their usual lengthy list of injured players: Nash, Gasol, Chris Kaman, Kent Bazemore and Xavier Henry all sat out. Nash experienced a flare-up of his season-long problems with his back and hamstrings on Tuesday while passing Warriors coach Mark Jackson for third place on the NBAs career assists list. Andre Iguodala and Jermaine ONeal sat out for Golden State, with Iguodala resting his right knee tendinitis for the second time this month. David Lee had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors, coming off the bench in his return from a seven-game absence with right leg problems. Curry was sharp from the opening tip, scoring 11 points in each of the first two quarters. Even when he missed a breakaway dunk, he got the rebound and buried a 25-foot fall-away 3-pointer. Jordan Crawfords 3-pointer set off a 17-6 run by the Warriors, who led 58-43 at halftime. Young hit a series of jumpers to trim Golden States lead to 103-92 with 2:52 to play, but Thompson hit a few big shots to wrap it up. NOTES: The Lakers had planned to wear their black alternate jerseys, but the Warriors mistakenly packed their regular blue road jerseys, forcing Los Angeles to wear its traditional home gold. ... The Warriors had lost 20 of their past 21 home games against the Lakers, losing only on March 23, 2008, when Stephen Jackson hit two last-minute 3-pointers. Vapormax Plus Miglior Prezzo . Omar Rahou made the discriminatory gesture several times while celebrating scoring a goal against Romania at Antwerp in January, UEFA said. The sanction was double the five-match ban Nicolas Anelka received from an English Football Association independent tribunal last week for the same act. Vapormax BHM . Mitchell first announced on Twitter that he has signed with the Steelers and his agent Brian Hamilton confirmed the signing to The Associated Press. Financial terms were not released. The Steelers have not announced the addition of Mitchell. http://www.scarpevapormaxscontate.it/vap...talia.html. He made that dream a reality Wednesday night. Olt, who grew up in Branford, Connecticut, attended UConn and made a nearly 2 1-2 hour trek to Boston a handful of times to watch the Red Sox, belted a two-run homer, one of four hit by Cubs in a 16-9 rout that completed a three-game interleague series sweep. Vapormax Off White Italia . - Connor McDavid scored twice and added two assists as the Erie Otters beat the Sarnia Sting 7-3 on Saturday night in Ontario Hockey League action. Vapormax 2019 Donna . The Brazil defender was substituted 13 minutes into Wednesdays 2-1 Copa del Rey win at Athletic Bilbao because of a right hamstring problem. Scans revealed a second grade tear which could keep him out for a reported four to six weeks.LOS ANGELES -- The Clippers and the Kings were both mad about the 20-point difference in their game. The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Chris Paul scored 22 points, hitting a go-ahead free throw with 2.5 seconds left, to help Los Angeles win 103-102 Saturday. "Weve got to put teams away and not keep being in all these dogfights," Paul said. "It was kind of fitting we won with a defensive stop because weve been trying to improve our defence. Hopefully it gives us some confidence." Paul got fouled and made the first, putting the Clippers ahead 103-102, but missed the second. After a timeout, DeAndre Jordan appeared to alter DeMarcus Cousins jumper to preserve the win. "The only thing they could get was a jump shot," Jordan said. "I was just praying they didnt call a foul. They gave me a block? Thats awesome, Ill take it." Actually, although a block was immediately posted in the statistics, officials took it away in the final box score, leaving Jordan with two blocks for the game. Jordan had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Blake Griffin finished with 16 points and 10 boards for the Clippers, who have won 11 of their last 13 against the Kings. J.J. Redick added 15 points. Pauls NBA-record streak of 13 straight games with at least 10 points and 10 assists to start a season ended when he finished with nine assists. Cousins had 23 points and 19 rebounds for the Kings, who had won two in a row. Isaiah Thomas added 22 points, making 11 of 13 free throws, and Patrick Patterson scored 21 points off the bench, combining to outscore the Clippers reserves. Afterward, Cousins tried to pull Thomas away from Jamal Crawford as they went to shake hands. "Thats just DeMarcus," Thomas said, laughing. "He gets upset. He doesnt like anybody on the other team, and thats how he is. Im all for it, but I just had to shake my guy Jamals hand." Jared Dudley didnt think much of Cousins move. "Its bad sportsmanship," he said. "Hes better than that. Someone will talk to him." Thomas and Patterson carried the Kings in the fourth, when Cousins was limited to four points and picked up two fouls on the same play. "Im tired of being a part of going down 20 and then trying to come back later in the game," Cousins said. "The way we played the last stretch of that game, weve got to start games off the same way so that we wont be in those situations and wed have a better chance.dddddddddddd" Dudleys 3-pointer pulled the Clippers to 96-95 and then Pauls 3 tied it at 98-all with 1:29 to play. Cousins missed a pair of free throws before Pauls driving layup put the Clippers, who led by nine earlier in the fourth, back in front 100-98. Thomas made two free throws for another tie at 100-all. Griffins driving dunk gave the Clippers back the lead 102-100 with 44 seconds left. Paul fouled Thomas, who made both for a 102-all tie with 24 seconds left. Thompson and Patterson combined on a 10-point run to open the fourth and give Sacramento a 79-78 lead. Travis Outlaw got called for a flagrant-2 foul for pulling down Redick on a fast break and was ejected. "I dont think Outlaw is a dirty player despite his last name," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "But it was just that he was trying to stop the play and he got (Redick) around the neck. You have to throw the guy out." Thomas disagreed. "I didnt think it was a flagrant-2," he said. "Travis is a guy whos never even looking to do anything like that, and the first thing they think of is throwing him out of the game. We tried to play through it, but we just couldnt get the win." Redick made just one of two free throws, tying the game at 79-all. The Kings chipped away in the third and twice cut their deficit to two points before Cousins scored their final four points to trail 75-69 going into the fourth. The Clippers were 7 of 18 from the floor, got outrebounded 15-10 and missed 7 of 9 free throws. The Clippers extended their lead to 40-20 in the second before the Kings outscored them 28-17 to end the half trailing 57-48. "Its a mental thing. You have to stay locked in," Griffin said about blowing the big lead. "They played well in the second half, but I felt like it was on us. We relaxed too much." The Clippers shot 62 per cent in dominating the first. They ran off 16 unanswered points, including four 3-pointers in a row, to go up 21-8. Dudley hit back-to-back 3s in front of the Clippers bench before they closed the quarter with six straight points to lead 29-13. Notes: The Clippers wont have to face Derrick Rose when they play the Bulls on Sunday in a second consecutive 12:30 p.m. PST start. He hurt his right knee on Friday night in Portland and is out indefinitely. ... The Kings have just four win streaks of three games or more since December 2009. ' ' '
WINNIPEG -- Receiver Nick Moore is getting ready to return to the Lions den but this time in a Winnipeg Blue Bomber uniform. "I want to beat them just as bad as I want to beat everybody else," said Moore, who spent three seasons with the B.C. Lions until he was scooped as a free agent by the Bombers after the end of 2013. "I want to win every game. Theyre just another team." Moore said his time with the Lions included highs and lows as he moved back and forth from the active roster to the practice roster, although he went out with a bang, finishing third in the CFL with 1,105 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2013. He says the Lions wanted him to stay but "it was the best choice for me to come here and, as you can see, it worked out well for me." At the same time, he suggested a little immaturity might have made him focus on the wrong things when he was wearing Lions colours. "It was a little bit up and down but I cant complain, it made me what I am today." He has already established himself as No. 1 on the Bombers receiving list this season with 221 yards after four games and is a favourite target of Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy, who he has known since their years trying to crack the NFL. "Being with a new team, thats one of the games that you look forward to," he said of his return to Vancouver. "That being said, its just another game. Its an important game because its a divisional game but its just another game." The Bombers have moved back to the CFL West after spending almost a decade in the East following the departure of Ottawa, which has now returned to the league with the Redblacks. The Bombers will be without a promising young receiver, Aaron Kelly, when they walk into B.C. Place. He continues to be bothered by a knee problem, although he did practice some this week. Promising Canadian receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino will be playing, although he didnt practice Wednesday. The Bombers will also be missing veteran defensive back Johnny Sears. They had already accepted that defensive end Jason Vega, No. 2 on Winnipegs sack list, wouldnt be playing. Coach Mike OShea confirmed Wednesday that Maurice Leggett will sub for Sears, now that Leggett is off the injured list. The Bomber offence has been working all week to close the gaps that let Willy get sacked five times last week, as they fell 26-3 to the Edmonton Eskimos, their first loss of the season. "Mentally weve had good practices all week, were definitely ready to go," said Willy. "I like our game plan this week and I think were going to go out and execute it. We really just need to go out there and be successful as an offence, really communicate, depending how loud it gets and all that, and just make sure were on the same page." Communication, or lack thereof, was an issue OShea highlighted after last weeks pasting. But nine-season CFL veteran offensive lineman Steve Morley says as far as the front five were concerned, that wasnt really their problem. "I think the communication was fine, we didnt really have missed assignments, it was more just guys getting beat," he said. "They knew we were passing, Edmonton has a really good front four rushing the passer. . . We have to use better technique, finish our plays, hopefully dont get down by 20 in the fourth quarter." Alfonso Boone Jersey Retro . Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan Thursday with Dr. Nike Cheap Jerseys .A. Dickey earned an American League Gold Glove on Tuesday to become the first Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to win the award. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/. DeGrom outpitched Jake Peavy in a tantalizing hitless duel that carried into the seventh inning Saturday night before the New York Mets broke loose and beat the San Francisco Giants 4-2. Donald Payne Jersey Retro . On Wednesday night, they showed that stellar defence and a little small ball can get the job done too. With pinch-runner Kevin Pillar aboard after Dioner Navarro opened the bottom of the ninth with a single, Anthony Gose dropped down an excellent bunt along the first-base line. Jeff Walker Jersey Retro . Jose Bautista homered for the fifth straight game in the sixth inning, following a two-out solo homer by Melky Cabrera. Edwin Encarnacion led off the seventh with a homer to tie the game 3-3 and, with two out in the seventh, Munenori Kawasaki came through with the two-out single to score pinch-runner Steve Tolleson with what proved to be the winning run.Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle wasnt giving specifics about Tyler Bozaks upper-body injury suffered Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks, but said that the teams No. 1 centre will have an MRI to determine its severity. Bozak left the bench and went down the tunnel early in the second period, returned to play a handful of shifts and then did play in the third. When Bozak was in the game in the second, he assisted on Phil Kessels power play goal. He took just three more shifts after that, including one that lasted only 13 seconds. Bozak missed 12 games earlier this season with a hamstring injury. The news didnt get better for the team on Wednesday after Kessel left practice early with what Carlyle described as a tweak and added that he, "wasnt feeling well in one areea of his body.dddddddddddd" Carlyle was unsure if Kessel would be available on Thursday when the Leafs take on the Dallas Stars. "He just told me needed to leave the ice surface," he told reporters. The Leafs are already without centre Dave Bolland (severed tendon in ankle), winger Joffrey Lupul (groin) and defenceman Cody Franson (lower body), though Franson told reporters hes good to go on Thursday. Centre Nazem Kadri missed Tuesdays game against the Sharks because of a death in the family. The club also announced Wednesday that forward Jerred Smithson was being placed on waivers. The Leafs signed Smithson to a contract for the remainder of the 2013-14 NHL season last month. Hes been held pointless in 13 games this season with a minus-4. ' ' '
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Dale Jarrett had no idea what crazy things Blake Shelton might say as the country music star inducted him into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "It could have gone in a lot of different directions," Jarrett said of Sheltons induction speech. Shelton read a handwritten and heartfelt speech about his love of racing, inherited through his late father, who as his health declined was so thrilled that his son got to hang with some of NASCARs biggest stars. Jarrett on occasion spoke to Sheltons father on the phone. "I believe it was little things like that that kept my dad happy those last few years," Shelton said. "And even though I know he was beyond proud of my accomplishments in music, he just couldnt get over the fact that I got to spend time with guys like Clint Bowyer and Elliott Sadler, and most of all, Dale Jarrett." It set the tone for Jarretts emotional induction. He joined his father, Ned, as just the second father-son combination with NASCAR championships inducted into the Hall. The Jarretts join Lee and Richard Petty. A three-time Daytona 500 winner, two-time Brickyard winner and the 1999 Cup champion, Jarrett was emotional the entire time. But he had to choke back tears when it came time to address his father. "My dad has been everything a son would want his father to be -- successful, a leader by example, a teacher you can believe in, and always there to support me," Jarrett said. "My dad was and still is today my hero. Thats what really makes this night so very special: Im joining my father in the NASCAR Hall of Fame." Ned Jarrett is the first of the 25 Hall of Fame members still alive to see his son inducted. "As a child and a 57 year old one right now, theres not a lot we can do that our parents will take for payment back for everything they did for us in our lives," Jarrett said. "In a small way, I feel like this is something I can give to them that they can be proud of." Maurice Petty was inducted to complete the Petty dynasty in the Hall, which now includes his father, brother and cousin as members of the exclusive group. "The Chief" was inducted by brother Richard Petty, the seven-time NASCAR champion and member of the inaugural Hall of Fame class. "The big deal is that its really the end of Petty Enterprises because we started in 1949, and now that my brother is in the Hall of Fame, then that pretty well closes the book on it," Richard Petty said. Maurice Petty is the first engine builder inducted into the Hall. His engines won seven titles and more than 200 races, including seven Daytona 500s. Also in the Hall from the Petty Enterprise dynasty is patriarch Lee Petty, and the Petty boys cousin and crew chief, Dale Inman. "Who would have thought growing up that there would be four of us, out of a small, rural country community that would be in a North Carolina Hall of Fame?" said Maurice Petty of the familys roots in Level Cross. Fireball Roberts, considered the first superstar of NASCAR, was the second member inducted. He won Daytona seven times, including the 1962 Daytona 500, and had two Southern 500 victories. He ran just 10 races in 1958, winning six. He died from critical burns suffered in a crash at Charlotte in 1964 when his car overturned and caught fire. Roberts, who suffered from asthma, had always refused to soak his firesuit in flame retardant chemicals because of the fumes. His grandson, Matt McDaniel, accepted Roberts induction and noted his death led to safety improvements in NASCAR. "After his death, NASCAR started developing flame retardant coveralls, five point safety harnesses, special contoured seats and a fire zone fuel cell," McDaniel said. Jack Ingram, considered one of NASCARs greatest drivers, was inducted by his close friend and rival Harry Gant. Ingram won three consecutive Late Model Sportsman championships, then the inaugural Busch Series title in 1982 and again in 1985. Ingrams mark of 31 Busch wins stood until Mark Martin beat it in 1997. All but two of Ingrams victories came on short tracks. Ingram told a story of winning the track championship at Harris Speedway in Ruffin County by winning the final race of the season, only to have the check for his winnings bounce. He called NASCAR from the bank and was told where to go to cash the check. "I took it down there and walked in that door. They handed me five 100 dollar bills -- that kept my family going for several months," Ingram said. "I was a total supporter of NASCAR from then on because (founder) Bill France, he meant what he said when he said he guaranteed that purse. I appreciated that the whole rest of my life." Two-time series champion Tim Flock, one of NASCARs first dominant drivers, was remembered during his induction for the Rhesus monkey named Jocko that was his co-pilot for many eight races. Winner of 39 races and the 1952 and 1955 championships, the tale told by Flocks widow, Frances, was of the time Jocko got loose in the car during a 1953 race in Raleigh. "Tim had to pull in the pits to put Jocko out, the monkey out of the car," she said. "He came in third that day, and the extra pit stop to remove Jocko from the car cost him a big sum of money that day. His brother finally went on to win the race." Curry 5 Outlet ., climbed from seventh to fifth spot in womens competition Sunday at the ISU world junior figure skating championships. Curry 3 Outlet . Ben Street scored twice for the Heat (17-5-1), who won their fourth game in a row and 13th in their last 14 outings. Brett Bulmer scored the lone goal for the Wild (6-11-0), who dropped their sixth straight contest. http://www.outletunderarmourstore.com/ch...nline.html. -- Stacy Lewis shot 7-under 65 to lead the LPGA Tour team to the championship of the 3Tour Challenge on Tuesday. Under Armour Basketball Shoes Outlet . Webb birdied the 18th hole to take the outright lead, then watched as Choi, who shot a course-record 62 on Saturday to take a share of the third-round lead, pushed a 10-foot putt wide of the hole at 18 to miss the chance for a playoff. Under Armour Charged Outlet .com) - Bradley Beal deposited a season-high 33 points and John Wall posted another double-double as the Washington Wizards went on the road and beat the Houston Rockets, 104-103.Paddy McNair is confident the appointment of world class Jose Mourinho as Manchester United manager will bring trophies to the club. Sky Sports News HQ broke the news on Thursday that Mourinho had signed his contract before the club confirmed the Portuguese will be in charge at Old Trafford next season the following day.United have endured a disappointing three-year spell by their standards since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, winning just the Community Shield under David Moyes before Louis van Gaal lifted this seasons FA Cup. Jose Mourinho poses with a Manchester United shirt after being confirmed as their new manager However, McNair believes the appointment of the former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager will see the club challenge for more honours. Hes a world class manager, he has won trophies in a lot of countries and he has worked with the best players and with the best teams in the world, McNair said. Jose Mourinho outlines his intentions in his first interview as Manchester United manager (Courtesy of MUTV) I feel like he can bring trophies to Man Utd.ddddddddddddThe Northern Ireland international was named man of the match in a new midfield role in Fridays 3-0 win over Belarus and has been included in his countrys 23-man squad for Euro 2016. Jose Mourinho has won the Champions League twice with Inter Milan (pictured) and Porto He is now hoping to impress his new manager at club level this summer but said none of the United players had heard from Mourinho.Every time I go on the pitch there is someone new watching you for the first time probably so Im just trying to impress everyone, he said, before adding: I have not heard anything from him. Also See: Grigg included in NI squad Ibra agent cools United link Jose: Forget last three years Jose Uniteds biggest signing ' ' '
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-2) at HOUSTON TEXANS (3-2)Thursday, 8:25 ET, CBS/NFLNOPENING LINE a€” Colts by 2 1/2RECORD VS. SPREAD a€” Indianapolis 4-1, Houston 4-1SERIES RECORD a€” Colts lead 20-4LAST MEETING a€” Colts beat Texans 25-3, Dec. 15, 2013LAST WEEK a€” Colts beat Ravens 20-13; Texans lost to Cowboys 20-17, OTAP PRO32 RANKING a€” Colts No. 7, Texans No. 18COLTS OFFENSE a€” OVERALL (2), RUSH (16), PASS (1).COLTS Defence a€” OVERALL (12), RUSH (12), PASS (16).TEXANS OFFENSE a€” OVERALL (22), RUSH (11), PASS (24).TEXANS Defence a€” OVERALL (26), RUSH (25), PASS (21).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES a€” QB Andrew Luck has thrown for more than 300 yards in three straight games. ... RB Ahmad Bradshaw leads running backs in the NFL with four touchdown receptions. ... WR Reggie Wayne needs 55 yards to move past James Lofton (14,004 yards) for eighth-most yards receiving in NFL history. He has a touchdown catch in five of the last seven against Houston. ... LB DQwell Jackson has 38 tackles to lead Colts. ... LB Bjoern Werner had career-best two sacks last week. ... QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has six interceptions in last three games after throwing none in first two games. ... RB Arian Foster has rushed for 100 yards or more in three of his four games this season. He had career-high 231 yards rushing and three touchdowns against Indianapolis on Sept. 12, 2010. ... WR Andre Johnson needs 19 yards receiving to become 15th player in NFL history to reach 13,000 yards receiving. ... DE J.J. Watt has five sacks in last five games against Indianapolis and leads NFL with 33 sacks since 2012. ... S Kendrick Lewis had his first interception with Texans last week against Dallas.___AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFLVapormax Plus China . Blown save in the ninth inning? No problem. Vapormax Plus Clearance . - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. http://www.brandshoescheaponline.com/who...china.html. Third-place Madrid fell behind and settled for a 2-2 draw earlier at Osasuna in a match both sides finished with 10 men, and Barcelona didnt let the chance escape. Barcelona, still without the injured Lionel Messi, again turned to Neymar after his hat trick against Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday to convert a penalty on the half-hour mark and restore the lead in the 68th after Villarreal levelled. Cheap Nike Air Max 97 China .com) - Jahlil Okafor had 21 points, Tyus Jones scored 16 with 10 assists and No. Vapormax 2019 Cheap . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said.PARIS - Alize Cornet and Kristina Mladenovic beat Belinda Bencic and Timea Bacsinszky 7-5, 6-4 in doubles Sunday to give France a 3-2 win over Switzerland in their first-round tie of the Fed Cup World Group II. Mladenovics quick hands at the net made the difference while Bencics inexperience in doubles showed. "We took a lot of pleasure," Mladenovic told Sport Plus television. "Its extremely difficult to play in such conditions, but our doubles team showed a lot of quality. We complemented each other very well. We had a great time on the court." Cornet and Mladenovic celebrated their victory with a chest bump while a disappointed Bencic shed tears on her chair. In a first set with five service breaks, the Swiss pair took a 4-1 lead. But Bencic then failed to serve out the set at 5-3 before Bacsinszky sent a forehand wide to drop serve at 5-5. Cornet hit a backhand winner to help France go a set up. The hosts broke Bencic in the fifth game of the second set but Mladenovic committed three double-faults to drop serve in the next game. Mladenovic made amends by earning the decisive break at 3-3 with a forehand volley and the French pair won the match when Bacsinszkys backhand sailed long. On April 19-20, France and Switzerland will compete in playoffs. France will try to gain promotion to the World Group while Switzerland will aim to stay in World Group II. Earlier, Cornet beat Bacsinszky 6-2, 7-6 (4) to giive France a 2-1 lead before teenager Bencic eased past Virginie Razzano 6-1, 6-1 to bring Switzerland level with France at 2-2.dddddddddddd Cornet won six straight games to rally from a 2-0 deficit and take the first set. The 25th-ranked Frenchwoman broke back twice in the second set before Bacsinszky saved a match point at 5-4. In the tiebreaker, Cornet jumped to a 5-2 lead and clinched victory when Bacsinszkys backhand sailed wide. "Amelie kept her trust in me today and Im glad I did not prove her wrong," Cornet said in reference to France captain Amelie Mauresmo. Bencic showed great composure to break Razzano five times in a one-sided rubber. "I just played with no pressure," Bencic told Sport Plus television. "I just enjoyed the match. I was so relaxed." Bencic took a 4-0 lead and won the first set when Razzano netted a volley. The 16-year-old Swiss capitalized on two forehand errors from Razzano to also break serve at 2-1 and 4-1 in the final set. Bencic converted her third match point when the 30-year-old Razzano sent a backhand into the net. "I couldnt do anything against her today," Razzano told Sport Plus television. "I think shes an unbelievable player. She plays some dream tennis. Her future is promising." In Saturdays singles, Razzano dismissed Stefanie Voegele 6-2, 6-1 to put France ahead before Bencic upset Cornet 7-5, 6-4 to even the tie. ' ' '
In the twilight of August, the best to way to hurl yourself faster towards a playoff spot is to just keep winning. The Winnipeg Goldeyes (54-33) did exactly that Monday night by defeating the Can-Am Leagues New Jersey Jackals (47-36) 6-4 before 4,887 fans at Shaw Park. The victory, which is Winnipegs seven in their last eight games, shrunk its magic number to clinch the American Associations North Division to seven. It also maintained the Goldeyes eight-game lead over the St. Paul Saints in the North. After the Goldeyes started the scoring with single runs in the first two innings, the Jackals took a 3-0 lead, which turned out to be their only lead, with three runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, the Goldeyes answered back. With one out, Casey Haerther doubled and Reggie Abercrombie reached base on an error by Jackals shortstop Steve Nikorak. Donnie Webb then singled in Haerther and Abercrombie scored on a sac fly from Josh Mazzola. Luis Alen finished the three-run inning with single to score Webb. The two-run lead was short lived, as Jeremy Barnes hit a lead-off home run off Goldeyes starter Matt Jackson in the top of the sixth. The Goldeyes added a run in the bottom of the eighth when Abercrombie doubled and scored a Mazzola single. From there, closer Chris Kissock locked it down in the bottom of the ninth. Abercrombie led Winnipeg at the plate with three hits, while Mazzola had a team-best two RBI. The Goldeyes actually had plenty of opportunities to extend their margin of victory, but stranded 14 men on base in the game, including at least one in every inning. Jackson battled for 5 2/3 innings to post his 10th win of the season. He gave up four runs – three were earned – and struck out two. Kissock fanned three Jackals in the ninth, and worked around a hit and an error, for his 15th save of the season. New Jersey starter Anthony Ferrara suffered the loss after giving up five runs in 4 2/3 innings. Eddie Jackson Jersey . So much so that even a simple foul pop up to the first baseman turned into a run. Houstons four-run rally in the ninth inning to beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 on Monday night was capped by a bizarre play that started as Crowe fouled out to first baseman Justin Smoak with runners on second and third. Charles Tillman Jersey . Modin, 36, tallied seven goals and three assists in 36 games with the Thrashers this season. The Sundsvall, Sweden, native has posted 232 goals and 230 assists in 894 career NHL games with Toronto, Tampa Bay, Columbus, Los Angeles and Atlanta and has appeared in 57 post-season contests, helping the Lightning capture the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-...1906t.html. The future hall of famers stole the show at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night, with Jagr moving into seventh place in all-time goal scoring and Brodeur stopping 29 shots as the Devils downed the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. Dan Hampton Jersey . For one, he still gets to crank the intensity to the max. "I push pretty angry. I ran pretty angry too though, but I have fun doing it," Lumsden said. Bulldog Turner Jersey . Those who impressed in each of the three events were asked to attend the main CFL Combine which begins Friday in Toronto.SAN DIEGO -- Nevadas Deonte Burton didnt stand much of a chance against San Diego State. The No. 5 Aztecs held Burton, the Mountain Wests leading scorer, to 11 points, 10 below his average, in beating the Wolf Pack 73-58 on Saturday night. "When you are playing half court and they are doing their pressing, run and jump defence, they really did a good job of helping on him," Nevada coach David Carter said. "Youve got to give them credit, too. He was looking for it but they played good defence and really got us out of rhythm." Xavier Thames scored 17 points, Winston Shepard had 16 and SDSU tied the school record with its 20th straight win. The Aztecs (21-1, 10-0 Mountain West) matched the 20-game win streak by the 2010-11 team, which won its first 20 games before losing at BYU. That team was the first in school history to reach the NCAA round of 16 after getting the programs first victories in the NCAA tournament. It finished 34-3, best in team history. The current Aztecs are the first to open league play 10-0. SDSU was coming off a 67-65 win at Boise State in which it erased a 14-point deficit before winning on a 3-point shot by Dwayne Polee II with four seconds left. The Aztecs only loss was a 69-60 home defeat to then-No. 6 Arizona on Nov. 14. Jerry Evans Jr. scored 17 points for Nevada (12-12, 7-4). After taking control late in the first half, Saan Diego State pulled away in the second half.dddddddddddd The Aztecs went on a 7-0 run to go up 55-41 with 10:57 left. Aqeel Quinn hit a 3-pointer, JJ OBrien made two free throws after he was fouled hard by Burton and Dwayne Polee had a steal and a layup. After Nevadas Michael Perez made a 3-pointer, Winston Shepard took a pass from Matt Shrigley for a baseline dunk and then made a layup for a 59-44 lead. The Wolf Pack closed to 61-52 on a layup and 3-pointer by Evans before the Aztecs quickly pushed the lead back to 15. Josh Davis had a layup, Shepard a bank shot and Davis a steal and a slam dunk. "They played good pressure defence the whole game," Evans said. "That is a great group and everyone that played contributed. They were too much to overcome tonight. You spend a lot of energy getting the ball past half court. For 40 minutes it is tough to even run a play. "We just gave up baskets at the wrong time and they were getting to the free throw line." The Aztecs closed the first half on a 7-0 run -- including two free throws and a layup by Josh Davis -- for a 37-31 lead. It would have been a 9-0 run by Dwayne Polee missed an easy layup with three seconds left. Shepard made two straight shots for a 30-26 lead before the Wolf Pack went up 31-30 on Ronnie Stevens shot off a rebound and AJ Wests three-point play. 01:26ET 09-02-14 ' ' '
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike DAntoni resigned Wednesday after less than two seasons on the job. Team spokesman John Black confirmed DAntonis resignation, ending the brief tenure of the Lakers fourth head coach in less than three years. DAntoni went 67-87 after taking over the Lakers early in the 2012-13 season. He replaced the fired Mike Brown, who lasted just 71 games after replacing 11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson in 2011. The injury-plagued Lakers were 27-55 this season, their worst campaign in more than 50 years and the second-worst winning percentage in franchise history. With Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol sitting out large chunks of the season while the Lakers lost an NBA-worst 319 man-games to injuries, the 16-time NBA champion franchise missed the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and only the third time in 38 years. "Given the circumstances, I dont know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "On behalf of the Lakers, we thank Mike for the work ethic, professionalism and positive attitude that he brought to the team every day. We wish him the best of luck." The 62-year-old DAntoni had one year left on his contract, but wanted the Lakers to pick up his option year for 2015-16 to have any chance of success. The Lakers apparently refused, leading to DAntonis resignation. DAntoni walked away from a $4 million payday for next season, although he may receive a portion of that money as severance. A phone message left for DAntoni wasnt immediately returned. Despite the Lakers injuries on a roster consisting mostly of players on one-year contracts, Los Angeles fans largely directed their anger during a rare down season toward DAntoni. Lakers great Magic Johnson, who was sharply critical of DAntonis coaching style, hailed the news on his Twitter account. "Happy days are here again!" Johnson tweeted. "Mike DAntoni resigns as the Lakers coach. I couldnt be happier!" DAntoni also has coached the Nuggets, Suns and Knicks. He reached two Western Conference finals with Nash in Phoenix before having much less success in New York. "Whenever a coach isnt there anymore, for whatever reason, all of us in the fraternity feel badly," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said after the Spurs playoff victory over Dallas. "He is a heck of a coach and heck of a guy. You always feel badly when something like that happens. I just hope that what he wants is going to be what happens for him. He is a special guy." DAntonis signature up-tempo style of play seemed an odd match from the start with the aging, ball-dominating Bryant and the Lakers, who ran Jacksons deliberate triangle offence to perfection. Lakers owners Jerry and Jim Buss curiously chose DAntoni to replace Brown over Jackson, who strongly contemplated a return for a third stint on the Los Angeles bench. Jackson became the president of the Knicks in March. Kupchak said he will begin the search immediately for the Lakers fifth head coach since 2011 -- including Jackson, who walked away from the team after falling short of a third consecutive championship. DAntonis departure will allow the Lakers franchise overhaul to begin in earnest after their worst season since 1957-58 back in Minneapolis. Los Angeles missed the post-season for just the second time in the 17-season career of Bryant, who occasionally clashed with DAntoni. The Lakers have a top-10 pick in a strong draft and just three players under contract for next season, including Nash and Bryant. The fourth-leading scorer in NBA history will make more than $48 million over the next two years. A coaching change also might make the Lakers more attractive to Gasol, an unrestricted free agent who intimated he wouldnt consider returning if DAntoni still coached the team. Kupchak has said the Lakers are very interested in re-signing the 7-foot Spaniard, one of the top available free agents. "There would have to be significant changes," Gasol wrote in Spanish on his personal blog recently. "Ive never concealed the fact that DAntonis style doesnt suit my game. Everybody knows this. I dont know if my decision will be swayed by whether Mike stays or leaves. Obviously, the coach is a very important factor for any team." After joining the Lakers on short notice last season, DAntoni was unable to assemble a contending team immediately around Bryant and Dwight Howard, who struggled to embrace the pick-and-roll game so important to DAntonis offence. Los Angeles won 45 games last season despite its awful start under Brown. But the Lakers lost Bryant to a torn Achilles tendon late in the regular season before getting swept out of the first round by San Antonio. Howard left the Lakers as a free agent last summer, fleeing to Houston for less money to escape the Lakers drama and high expectations. Bryant played in just six games this season after breaking a bone near his knee in December, and Los Angeles never had a consistently competitive team in his absence. Nash also missed most of the season with various injuries, but the 40-year-old point guard hopes to play again next season. DAntoni realized he would take the blame for the Lakers woes this season, and the veteran coach seemed comfortable with the prospect when the team packed up for the summer. "Every coach should be under scrutiny," DAntoni said two weeks ago. "Some coaches get fired even after the best years theyve ever had. ... Theres always things we could have done better, and its easier with hindsight. Things dont always go smoothly. For the most part, our guys were very competitive. For us, there are some silver linings in there, but in hindsight, its disappointing for everybody." Wholesale Flames Jerseys .What they got was a bevy of players chipping in to pick up the slack.Josh Smith scored 18 points and James Harden added 17 as the Rockets used a balanced scoring effort to outlast the Mavericks for a 99-94 victory. Flames Jerseys 2020 . -- Each time the Utah Jazz threatened Memphis lead, the Grizzlies responded with defensive stops. https://www.cheapflames.com/. He was attracted by the punishing defence, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted. The 49ers announced Thursday that Manningham had signed a two-year deal to join the team he helped knock out in the NFC championship game two months ago in their latest offensive upgrade at wide receiver. Stitched Flames Jerseys . Louis Blues were workmanlike, methodical and -- most of all -- effective on Monday night. Calgary Flames Pro Shop .com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day.BAD KLEINKIRCHHEIM, Austria - A womens World Cup super-G on Sunday was delayed for 45 minutes and then called off after 11 starters because of strong winds, a day after the cancellation of a downhill on the same course.We always want to race but safety comes first, FIS womens race director Atle Skaardal said.Organizers initially postponed the start of Sundays race as course workers needed more time to harden the snow surface using salt and chemicals following a night of mild temperatures.After the first skiers completed their run, fierce winds started blowing over the course, prompting an interruption of the race as conditions got too dangerous for speed racing.When the weather failed to improve over the following 45 minutes, organizers decided to call off the race.By then, Daniela Merighetti had posted the fastest time, leading Italian teammate Nadia Fanchini by 0.15. Merighetti was the third starter and said her run was still unaffected by the wind.Julia Mancuso, who started eighth, said it was definitely windy when she came down but judged conditions not too dangerous at that time.Everyone has their own comfort zone, said the American, who trailed Merighetti by 0.64 in fourth. Its always tough when you have a windy race but it also something we understand doing an outdoor sport ... I felt I was in good conditions racing but the storm is definitely moving in.A downhill on the same course was cancelled Saturday after a storm destroyed parts of the finish areaa and the safety fencing along the course.ddddddddddddVolunteers worked through the night to rebuild the infrastructure, and the storm still wasnt an issue in the hours leading up to the super-G.The 33 gates were set Saturday though organizers had to move several gates as the snow around them had become too weak.According to Skaardal, the course doesnt look bad but it didnt freeze overnight and under the top layer its soft.Several racers, including Lindsey Vonn and Lara Gut, had said they didnt want to race if the course conditions didnt improve.The course set is good, unfortunately the snow isnt good, Vonn said. Can it be dangerous? I think so. I think we should not race.And Gut added, If its like it is now, I dont want to race.Vonn referred to her crash at the 2013 world championships, when the American standout landed in a spot of soft snow and badly damaged her right knee.Its like Schladming here, and I lost two years because of that, Vonn said. I think its too dangerous. If it was a training today, I wouldnt be skiing at all.With a win Sunday, Vonn would have matched the all-time mark of 62 womens World Cup wins by Annemarie Moser-Proell, but the feat wasnt on her mind.No, the record can wait until after Cortina, she said, referring to a downhill and a super-G in Italy next weekend.The womens World Cup travels to Flachau, Austria, for a night race on Tuesday, the final slalom before next months world championships in Vail and Beaver Creek. ' ' '
LIVERPOOL, England - Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a calf injury.The 35-year-old United States international initially missed Sundays loss at Newcastle with the injury sustained against Stoke on Friday.Hes picked up a calf injury in his left calf and thats something that as a goalkeeper is really unusual, Everton manager Roberto Martinez said Tuesday. It happened just kicking the ball against Stoke.Joel Robles will play in Howards absence, and Martinez will assess whether Everton needs to sign another goalkeeper.Tim is going to be a huge miss, not just on the pitch but being around the place ... having the calmness that he gives to the younger players and the know-how that he brings to the dressing room, Martinez said.Howards injury is a further blow for Everton, which has lost three consecutive matches heading into Thursdays game at Hull. Benito Santiago Jersey . Beckham says "nothing has been confirmed yet, but its something I am very excited about." He adds that "Miami is something that really excites me because there is a great energy down there. Joe Girardi Jersey . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom-c...2070n.html .com) - The New York Rangers hope to punch their ticket to the second round when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday for a Game 6 battle at Wells Fargo Center. Phil Cavarretta Jersey .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory. Koji Uehara Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night.DENVER -- Matt Praters lawyer said the NFL initially threatened a yearlong suspension before agreeing to ban the Denver Broncos kicker four games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Harvey Steinberg said Praters suspension was alcohol-related. He said Prater consumed a couple of beers while on vacation in between the end of the teams off-season workout program in June and the start of training camp in late July. Prater has been in the leagues substance abuse program since he was charged with DUI on Aug. 12, 2011. An NFL spokesman declined to confirm the suspension, which was first reported by the Denver Post overnight Sunday. The Broncos have declined to comment on the matter. "As difficult as it is to have to deal with the suspension, I think Matts very positive about his future," Steinberg told The Associated Press. "Hes handling this in a positive manner. Once this is over, he will really benefit from all the circumstances and hell be better for it, and thats really whats important." Praters suspension for the first five weeks -- the Broncos bye is in Week 4 -- could be a big blow to the Broncos, who are trying to become the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to win a Super Bowl the year after losing it. Prater led the league last year by making 25 of 26 field goals (96.2 per cent), including a record-breaking 64-yarder in December against Tennessee.dddddddddddd. He also led the NFL with 81 kickoff touchbacks and scored 150 of Denvers record 606 points. His absence will put more pressure on Peyton Manning and his receivers and running backs to score touchdowns. The addition of rookie wide receiver Cody Latimer, who is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, should make it easier for Denver to convert in the red zone, where Latimer can line up with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (6-3, 229) and tight end Julius Thomas (6-5, 250) to create matchup nightmares for defences. Prater missed two of four field-goal tries this preseason, including a 49-yarder in an 18-17 loss to Houston on Saturday night. He was good from 32 yards to open the scoring but the football sailed haphazardly through the uprights because he kicked the ground as he made contact. His backup is Mitch Ewald, a rookie from Indiana, although the Broncos might look to bring in a veteran kicker while he serves his suspension, which covers games against Indianapolis, Kansa City, Seattle and Arizona. "Ive made some mistakes," Prater told the Post. "Im accepting full responsibility. Ill learn from it and come back a better person. I want to apologize to my teammates, my coaches, the Broncos organization and the fans." ' ' '
With their loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday night, the Toronto Blue Jays lost sole possession of first place in the American League East for the first time in 43 days. Not only were they bumped out of first in their division, but theyve also dropped out of a wild card spot, trailing the Los Angeles Angels and the Seattle Mariners by a game going into Fridays match-up. Which brings the question with just over a week until the All-Star Break - is this team actually a playoff contender? Since their last World Series victory, the Blue Jays have been mired in a 20-year playoff drought. But it wasnt like they werent trying to change their ways. That blockbuster trade with the Marlins in 2012 produced just one more win last season than the previous one. They finished 23 games behind the John Farrell-led Boston Red Sox and 17 1/2 games back of a wild card spot. So where do things sit for this season? How did they stay atop of the division for such a long period of time? The offence has certainly been a factor. The team has had their fair share of home runs - especially in the month of May led by Edwin Encarnacion - but the small ball has been evident too. And it certainly has - until recently - a lot to do with a healthier roster. But the real question around this team making it to the postseason will depend on their ability to crawl back to a comfortable lead. They have a tough ten-game road trip prior to the All-Star break. In their first lengthy road trip of the season, they went a combined 3-7 in Baltimore, New York and Cincinnati. And over the past six seasons, Toronto has struggled hard on road trips of nine or more games. In fact, since their nine-game road losing streak in 2009, the Blue Birds have an abysmal 66-108 record over 18 road trips of nine or more games. Over those 18 road trips, they returned home with a winning record just three times. That all said, do you think the Toronto Blue Jays will re-take the division and make the playoffs this October or will are we looking at another disappointing season? As always, its Your! Call. Robinson Chirinos Jersey . Argentina, who have yet to beat New Zealand in 17 meetings, rocked the All Blacks with an early converted try to backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamon and led 7-0 after five minutes. But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th minutes - when Argentina was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of hooker Eusebio Guinazu - turned the tide of the match and set up New Zealands third straight Championship win. Brad Peacock Jersey . First-half goals by Will Bruin and Oscar Boniek Garcia sucked the life out of the Impact as the Houston Dynamo bounced them from Major League Soccers post-season with a 3-0 victory on Thursday. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom...1606y.html . -- The Denver Broncos retired John Elways No. Andy Pettitte Jersey . Even that couldnt slow them down against the New Orleans Hornets. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook scored 31 points apiece and the Thunder overcame injuries to two key backups to beat New Orleans 101-93 Monday night for their 10th straight home win. Blake Taylor Jersey . A police inspector told The Associated Press the crane operator is not yet suspected of any wrongdoing but is considered a key witness to the accident at the Arena Corinthians.NEW YORK -- Bernie Bickerstaff was honoured Thursday as the winner of the National Basketball Coaches Associations Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award. "Chuck Daly was an inspiration to everyone that loves NBA basketball," Bickerstaff said in a statement. "To be a part of his legacy is one of their greatest honours of my career." Bickerstaff, an assistant coach with tthe Cleveland Cavaliers, began his NBA career at age 29 as an assistant with Washington and helped the Bullets win the 1978 title.dddddddddddd He was a head coach in Seattle, Denver, Washington and Charlotte and interim head coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, and also has worked for Chicago, Portland and the Cavaliers. The award is named after late Detroit coach Chuck Daly. ' ' '