NEWS » get off the back of that is a bonus. Its always good playing

TORONTO -- After just six seasons of MLS play, Toronto FCs legacy of failure was stunning. The team had a league record of 45-88-55 -- outscored 300-201 -- after finishing seventh, seventh, fifth, fifth, eighth and 10th in the Eastern Conference. Toronto had won just 12 of 94 road games. The playoffs were nothing more than a soccer Shangri-La. And the franchise had gone through seven managers. Ryan Nelsen, manager No. 8 in Season No. 7, knew he was inheriting a mess when he was appointed Jan. 8. But straightening the shambles of a team that was the MLS doormat last season at 5-21-8 is proving to be a task of massive proportions for the first-year manager. As Toronto (1-7-4) prepares to host the Philadelphia Union (5-5-3) on Saturday, Nelsens team is mired in a five-game league losing streak -- during which it has been outscored 8-2 -- and has not won in 10 games. Torontos record in all competitions this year is 2-8-4. And apart from a March 9 victory at the Rogers Centre, it has not won a home league game since July 18, 2012, when it beat Colorado 2-1 at BMO Field. On the surface, Toronto FCs tarnish remains. Nelsen and team president Kevin Payne, who took over the club on Nov. 28, have brought in 19 new players. Four have already left and the team has already announced attacking midfielder Hogan Ephraim will return to Englands Queens Park Rangers when his loan spell ends in July. There is also speculation about the future of veteran defender Danny Califf, who has fallen to No. 5 on the depth chart, and who has been absent recently due to a virus, according to Nelsen. The manager, who is already eagerly awaiting the July 9 opening of the summer transfer window, defends the revolving door approach to personnel. "When we got here there was no scouting, no recruitment, no nothing," Nelsen said Tuesday. "There was no vision, there was no anything. "So we had to bring in players on short-term loans that wouldnt affect the team long-term, (so) we wouldnt be hamstrung by salary cap issues. And were not. We only brought in players because of the absolute unbelievable lack of vision that was here. We needed players in or we were in massive trouble. "Now those players, were not hamstrung by them, theyre going to be here on massive amounts of money. They can be moved at any time that they or we think. So in terms of that, yeah, were preparing for the future. But weve had to. Weve had to do drastic things like this because there was absolutely nothing." The most recent player to exit was former English teen sensation John Bostock, who was waived last week. "We had the opportunity to look at him and if it didnt work out, it didnt work out," said Nelsen. "He wants to play. His agent said he needs to play all the time and I couldnt guarantee him playing time." Nelsen does see light at the end of the tunnel despite a lack of clinical play at both ends of the field. Asked if he can see players on his current roster who will be fixtures on the team sheet next season, he starts listing off names: Joe Bendik, Ryan Richter, Doneil Henry, Gale Agbossoumonde, Ashtone Morgan, Matias Laba, Jeremy Hall, Jonathan Osorio, Kyle Bekker and Emery Welshman. All are 24 or younger. It was not a definitive list, but rather one reeled off the top of his head. Nelsen would likely add talented attacking midfielder Luis Silva, who is 24, to that mix. English defender Richard Eckersley, currently injured, is also 24. "Were a very young team," Nelsen said. "We have a lot of faith in a lot of the young guys. But unfortunately, theyre just young, just a bit inexperienced. Theyve just got to live through stuff and get experience." Nelsen has brought in the likes of 32-year-old Robert Earnshaw, 30-year-old Bobby Convey, 32-year-old Steven Caldwell and 32-year-old Darel Russell to help settle the ship. Of the seven losses this season, only one (last weeks 2-0 loss in New England) has been by more than one goal. Nelsen says his team is confident that it can win games. Pressed on why, the normally genteel New Zealander showed his steely side in turning the question back on the media. "Every game we potentially could have got points out of," he said. "You guys dont see it because you only take a look at the result. Just like yourself, youre not really educated on how a game can be. "When we start winning, you guys will be having a go at us because were only winning by one goal. And then once we win 15 in a season, youll be having a go at us because were only winning 15. Thats your job. "The players, they know. Theyre confident. ... Were very close." Nelsen, while generally accommodating with the media, has become more close-mouthed as the season has worn on. He is not likely to disclose personnel information unless asked and even then can dance around the issue. Practices that were once open are now only partially open. Reporters are restricted to glimpses of the final portion of the session, usually from distance. Admittedly Nelsen is used to the game in Britain, where media access is far more limited. Then again soccer is king there. Its not here. Nelsen has made progress and Torontos young talent is undeniable. Nelsen and his coaching staff have a meticulous plan. Their commitment to turning the franchise around is undeniable. Nelsen, who can be cut-throat when it comes to personnel decisions, has also shown a keen eye in identifying and promoting the likes of Osorio and Hall. The depth of his squad remains very much a work in progress, however. And Torontos inability to take its chances means that it is up against it when it makes errors at the defensive end. "We know we need to get better -- in all areas," said Nelsen. "Well just continue to work hard and continually try to do it." The good news on that front is striker Danny Koevermans will likely come off the bench this weekend in his return from a 10-month absence due to a knee injury. Koevermans has been sidelined since tearing up his knee last July 14 in New England. TFC has gone 2-17-8 in MLS play in his absence. Saturdays game against the Union falls in the middle of a five-game run against Eastern Conference opposition. Toronto has already lost to Columbus and New England, with games against D.C. United and Houston to follow. Philadelphia currently occupies the fifth -- and last -- playoff spot in the East with 18 points. Nelsens view-- somewhat optimistic in the eyes of some -- is that his team (which has seven points) could be right back in the thick of things if it can beat the Union and D.C. United, which at 1-9-2 is the only team with a worse record than Toronto. Nelsens team has next week off thanks to a bye, so will have plenty of time to ponder the Philadelphia result. Torontos preparations this week will not be helped by the absence of captain Darren ODea on Ireland duty and Canadians Bekker, Henry, Morgan and Osorio. Henry and ODea are both starters and Osorio probably did enough last week coming off the bench in New England to justify a start. The Canadian quartet will return after Tuesday nights game against Costa Rica in Edmonton. ODea is also set to return following a marquee friendly against England. But the Irish defender will jet off again next week for a friendly against Georgia and World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Air Force 1 Just Do It Norge . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Air Force 1 07 Norge . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. http://www.airforce1norge.com/ .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Nike Air Force 1 Billig . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Nike Juvenate Norge . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. HOUSTON -- The running back position for the New Orleans Saints appears loaded.With veterans Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller and Tim Hightower anchoring the effort and rookie Daniel Lasco proving himself in camp, the Saints have options behind quarterback Drew Brees.I think we have a special group of guys, a real talented room, Ingram said. We push each other to be better and from the first guy to last guy everybody can go somewhere and play in this league and be a contributor in this league. A lot of competition but its good competition brings out the best in everybody.Ingram has dealt with injuries his entire career, playing the full schedule just once in 2012, and watching his production dip at times. Two years ago, he rushed for 964 yards and nine touchdowns and added 29 receptions for 145 yards. Its a level he would like to see again.Thats what I want to be known for is a guy who can go in there and do everything, Ingram said. Whether its running the ball, lining up in the slot, lining up wide, running routes from the backfield, picking up pass protection, thats something I pride myself on.A position for the Saints that has been depleted by injuries in training camp has been the cornerbacks.Keenan Lewis continues to be held out of practice, Devin Breaux limped off the field after a play and then was carted off in the middle of Thursdays practice. Getting reps for the young guys like P.J. Williams, Brian Dixon and DeVante Harris is helpful to their progress, Saints coach Sean Payton said.Were having a chance to train and develop these guys against some pretty good receivers, he said. I think the opportunity to see a different look and another team just like laast week is a positive one.ddddddddddddFor the Texans, quarterback Brock Osweiler and the entire offensive unit got a chance for a second straight week to practice against another team. Houston hosts the Saints in a preseason game on Saturday night.The best part is the constant, unscouted looks youre seeing, Osweiler said. So it really tests your knowledge of your offensive system.During Thursdays practice, DeAndre Hopkins made some highlight reel catches, including one over Breaux.Playing a defense that gets up in your face helps them get better, Hopkins said, and he has seen the offense improve.Its definitely a lot better from where we started in the spring, he said. A lot of guys are putting more time in in the film room and on their own just trying to master this offense.Osweiler, who joined the team in the offseason, said the offense will take time to master.I think anytime we step onto the field were making progress as an offensive unit, he said. This is a long process, especially when you run an expansive offense like we do here. Its going to take time to perfect it but were working and striving every single day for perfection.Texans coach Bill OBrien said the passing game needs to continue to improve but does like what he sees from Osweiler.Hes done a nice job in two-minute drills, hes had some good team periods, he said. Its very difficult to come in here as a quarterback, both sides, and not really gameplan, not really know what youre going to see and have to react to it on the fly. I think Brocks done a good job of that. ' ' '