Tony McDaniel pounced on a loose ball at the Carolina 28 following a f

Preseason is a time for new beginnings - the chance to start afresh with a belief that anything can happen. That was certainly true for Toronto FC as they opened up their training camp in Bradenton last week. The troubles and uncertainties that surrounded the club in recent years have been replaced by a new hope and optimism after an incredible offseason transformation that has included the signings of three new Designated Players, Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. I was in Florida for Torontos first training session. The energy and enthusiasm was on a completely different level compared to other years. Perhaps the biggest difference is that the squad has already been assembled and most of the key pieces are already in place. A far cry from a year ago, when Nelsen was heading into his first coaching job with a preseason squad filled with trialists. "Its a wee bit different, Ive got to admit," Ryan Nelsen told me after training in Bradenton. Its nice to have a proper squad together all pulling in the right direction. As you can see by today, the work ethic is there, the character is there and everybody is extremely excited." The difference compared to 12 months earlier is evident in all areas, but especially in personnel. Over half of the squad currently in Florida were not with the team for preseason in 2013. However, Nelsen and the players are talking up the fact that the core of the team that finished the season is still in place. "We havent changed that much, weve probably changed the same as most teams, but weve done it in big names so it makes it even more dramatic. But thats what we had to do with this club. Thats why what we did last year had method in our madness. Weve got some big names and we will have to gel them in, but its a progression and we have to keep moving the club forward." The theme Nelsens rookie season as head coach was "short-term pain for long-term gain," and things have now changed quickly. With multi-million dollar signings amongst a re-shaped squad, expectations are high. But after dealing with a tumultuous first year with the club, Nelsen laughed off the suggestion that there is pressure on him to find a winning formula quickly. "Theres absolutely no pressure," he said. "Whenever you put yourself in a situation where youve brought in good players, everybody else thinks there is expectation but for us we just try and improve every day. In everything we do, we try to become perfect. Whatever people think from outside we dont really care." "I knew the league last year but we didnt have the right pieces to be successful. Now I think we are moving in the right direction, but Im still learning as well. Ill always keep learning. When I stop learning I may as well give up," he said. Theres a new face heavily involved in Torontos training sessions this preseason. Englishman Adrian Lamb has joined the club as Fitness Coach. He has previously worked with Newcastle United, Preston North End and Aston Villa, and he was at Blackburn Rovers during Ryan Nelsens time as a player at Ewood Park. Nelsen told me Lambs preparation and attention to detail is immaculate, and that was easy to see during my time in Bradenton. He has very clear ideas of what he wants from the players and was impressive in the way he communicated to them. Lamb will bring a very professional approach to the teams conditioning this season and will be a key addition to Nelsens staff. In 2013, Toronto FC won just six matches and missed the playoffs by 20 points, but Nelsen and his staff have now been handed the tools they need to turn the ship around. The foundation for success will be laid over the next six weeks, as Nelsen and Co. make sure their team is ready to hit the ground running when the season opens in Seattle on March 15th live on TSN. Nike Vapormax Mens Trainers Sale . Costa injured his right thigh muscle against Barcelona last Saturday and had sought treatment in Belgrade from a doctor specializing in using fluid derived from horse placenta to repair damaged cells. Fake Vapormax Uk . According to the sportsbook BoDog, the Stampeders are 8/5 favourites to take home the Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on November 24. http://www.vapormaxwholesaleuk.com/wholesale-vapormax-womens-trainers.html . The appointment of Boullier continues the behind-the-scenes restructuring at McLaren, who recently brought back former team principal Ron Dennis as its new chief executive. Black Vapormax Womens Uk . The 25-year-old Lu, a regular on the Japan LPGA Tour after giving up her LPGA Tour membership in 2010, shot an 8-under 64 in windy, wet conditions at Kintetsu Kashikojima. Mens Vapormax Flyknit Sale Uk . Among the six changes: Drivers are now eligible if they have competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR or turned 55 in the calendar year before nominating day. Previously, drivers were not eligible until they had been retired for three years, so drivers can continue to compete and still reach the hall.Seattle, WA (SportsNetwork.com) - Kam Chancellor bobbed his head in celebration as he crossed the goal line on his game-clinching 90-yard interception return. The Seattle Seahawks resurgent defense has them thinking repeat. Another dominating second half performance has them one step closer. Russell Wilson tossed three touchdown passes and the Seahawks punched their ticket into the NFC Championship Game with a 31-17 NFC Divisional Playoff victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday night. Seattle will play the winner of Sundays NFC Divisional Playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys in next Sundays conference title game at CenturyLink Field. Chancellors pick-six came with the Panthers marching down the field looking to cut a 24-10 deficit to a one-possession game. Faced with a 2nd-and-4 at the Seattle 13 with a little over six minutes left, Cam Newton was looking to hit Ed Dickson on the right side of the field near the numbers. The ball-hawking Chancellor, though, read Newtons eyes and cut in front of Dickson before strolling down the left sideline for the easy score. Chancellor also had 10 tackles to go with that interception. I dont know if a strong safety can have a stronger game than Kam Chancellor did tonight, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. Kelvin Benjamins 15-yard touchdown catch with 2:34 left was the first fourth- quarter points allowed by the Seahawks in the last seven games. Their top- ranked defense has given up just 56 points during that stretch, including just 20 in the second half. Wilson, who was 8-of-8 on third down for 199 yards, finished 15-of-22 for 268 yards and added 22 yards on the ground. Jermaine Kearse caught three passes for 129 yards and a touchdown and Luke Willson had four receptions for 68 yards and a score for the Seahawks, who have won eight straight postseason games in Seattle. Marshawn Lynch carried the ball 14 times for 59 yards. Newton completed 23-of-36 passes for 246 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 37 yards for Carolina, which won its final four games of the regular season to win the NFC South and qualify for the postseason. The Panthers beat the Cardinals last Saturday in the NFC Wild Card round. Benjamin hauled in seven passes for 75 yards and two scores, while Greg Olsen caught four balls foor 58 yards in defeat.dddddddddddd The Panthers have lost five consecutive meetings against Seattle. We made some mistakes, we missed some opportunities, Carolina coach Ron Rivera said. Steven Hauschkas 37-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth staked Seattle to a 17-10 advantage, and its defense forced a three-and-out on Carolinas ensuing possession. Wilson hit Willson, who broke free from two defenders to pick up 29 yards on a 3rd-and-6, then found him again on the next third down. Willson hauled in a 25-yard score along the right seam on a 3rd-and-10 to extend Seattles advantage to 24-10 with 10:26 remaining. Both defenses came out strong in the early going as neither offense recorded a first down on their opening five series combined. The Panthers were faced with a 3rd-and-5 on their third touch. Newton lofted a pass along the right sideline intended for Philly Brown, but Richard Sherman leapt up and made an interception. Wilson rolled right and hit Kearse for a 33-yard completion on a 3rd-and-12, but a Ricardo Lockette taunting penalty on an ensuing 3rd-and-12 took Seattle out of field-goal range. Seattles defense, however, forced another Carolina giveaway when Tony McDaniel pounced on a loose ball at the Carolina 28 following a fumbled exchange between Newton and Jonathan Stewart. The miscue led to a 16-yard Doug Baldwin TD reception for the games first points with 56 seconds to play in the first. Carolina answered on its next sequence when Newton fired a 7-yard TD pass to Benjamin in between two Seattle defenders on a quick slant. The Seahawks counter punched, though, as Wilson floated a perfectly-thrown pass for Kearse along the left seam on a 3rd-and-7. Kearse made a one-handed catch in stride, dove near the goal line and was able to touch the top of the left pylon with the ball for a 63-yard score and a 14-7 cushion late in the second. Graham Gano nailed a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the half to trim the margin to 14-10 entering the break. Game Notes The Seahawks are the first reigning Super Bowl champion to win a playoff game since the 2005 New England Patriots ... Seattle has outscored opponents 62-7 in the fourth quarter during its last seven games ... Seattle was 7-of-13 on third down, while Carolina finished 9-of-16. ' ' '