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A new era will begin today for Toronto FC as they open the 2014 preseason against DC United in Bradenton, Florida. Bo Jackson Authentic Jersey . Midfielder Michael Bradley, one of the teams new designated players, will make his debut, while striker Gilberto could see his first action for TFC in the contest. Bradley, a key member of the US mens national soccer team, is expected to bring stability to the Toronto FC midfield. The 26-year-old was acquired from Serie A side Roma in January for a reported $10 million transfer fee and reportedly will collect a $7.1 million salary. The New Jersey native played every minute of the 2010 World Cup for the United States. Gilberto, a 24-year-old Portuguese forward who is considered a pure goal scorer, was signed by the club in December. The third, and arguably biggest, designated player acquisition of the off-season, Jermain Defoe will not be available for the preseason opener as he remains on loan with Barclays Premier League side Tottenham until the end of February. In his second tour with Toronto FC, Canadian international player Dwayne De Rosario could also see his first action since rejoining the club in the off-season. De Rosario was reacquired by the team during the MLS re-entry draft and then signed to a new contract. The opposition for the preseason opener will be De Rosarios former club DC United, who, like Toronto FC, are looking to bounce back from a tough season. DC United finished with a 3-24-7 record last season and a league low 16 points. Toronto FC ended the season 6-17-11 in 2013, ninth in the Eastern Conference. Luke Appling White Sox Replic . Jayson Werth and Denard Span had three hits each for Washington, which had lost 6 of 7. Previously slumping, Washingtons offence has 14 runs and 30 hits in its last two games. Strasburg (4-4) allowed two unearned runs, though his error led to them, and six hits. Bill Melton White Sox Jersey . Hell be hard-pressed to match an unbeaten streak like this, though. Tanaka had his unbeaten regular-season run snapped at 42 starts, allowing a career-high four runs in six innings, and the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Yankees 6-1 on Tuesday night.MANCHESTER, England -- Sergio Agueros late hat trick rescued Manchester City from FA Cup humiliation at the hands of second-tier Watford, ushering the Premier League title favourites into the fifth round along with Liverpool and Everton on Saturday. The biggest shock of this seasons competition was on when Watford took a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes at Etihad Stadium, only for a remarkable Aguero-led comeback by City in the final half-hour. The Argentina striker produced clinical finishes in the 60th and 79th minutes to level the score before Aleksandar Kolarov put City in front in the 87th. Aguero completed his hat trick in injury time, keeping Manuel Pellegrinis side in contention for silverware on four fronts this season. "I wanted to change all of my players at halftime, all 11 of them," Pellegrini said. "The whole team was a disaster in the first half." There were no such worries for Liverpool, which beat second-tier Bournemouth 2-0 away courtesy of goals by Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge, and Everton, which eased past third-tier Stevenage 4-0 largely thanks to Steven Naismiths first-half brace. Evertons victory was marred by a suspected broken left leg suffered by Coast Rica international Bryan Oviedo, which could rule him out of the World Cup this summer. Premier League teams Southampton, Cardiff, Swansea, Hull and Sunderland -- a 1-0 winner over non-league side Kidderminster -- also advanced but Crystal Palace, which is fighting relegation in the top flight, was eliminated after losing 2-1 at defending champion Wigan. With Watfords starting lineup costing 500,000 pounds ($825,000) and Citys bench alone worth 84 million pounds ($140 million), few gave the visitors a chance at the Etihad even though City fielded a weakened starting team ahead of Wednesdays Premier League match at Tottenham. Yet Watford, a 33-1 shot with British bookmakers to beat City, stunned home fans by going into a 21st-minute lead through Fernando Forestieri before Troy Deeney made it 2-0 after 30 minutes. By the time Aguero scored his first goal, City had four players up front and had resorted to an all-out attack mode. The strriker then produced another superb finish to equalize with 11 minutes left and Watfords hopes of a replay were dashed when its goalkeeper, Jonathan Bond, let Kolarovs shot dribble from his grasp into the net. Bo Jackson White Sox Replic. Aguero capped the fightback by heading in Jesus Navas cross for his 25th goal of the season, keeping up Citys average of four goals per home game this campaign. "People spoke about us losing 10-0 or 11-0 -- nobody gave us a chance," Deeney said. "This is one of the biggest teams in the world but we went out there with no fear." In 19 matches at the Etihad, only European champion Bayern Munich has left with a victory. City has won the other 18. Arsenal began the fourth round with a comfortable 4-0 win over Coventry on Friday and Liverpool fielded a full-strength side to also enjoy an easy victory, with Moses opening the scoring in the 26th minute. Luis Suarez set up that goal and also provided the assist for Sturridge, who ran onto the Uruguay strikers pass and slotted into the corner in the 60th. Sturridge has now scored in three straight matches since returning from nearly two months out through injury. "The tradition in the FA Cup for Liverpool is huge and we want to pay respect to the competition because we want to get to the final and win it if we can," Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said. At Stevenage, Johnny Heitinga and Magaye Gueye were the other scorers for Everton, whose manager Roberto Martinez won the FA Cup with Wigan last season. The result was overshadowed, though, by the horrific-looking injury to Oviedo in the 14th minute. Oviedo was taken to hospital and Everton tweeted that he has a suspected broken leg. Non-league Kidderminsters run to the last 32 has been the feelgood story of this seasons competition but it came to an end at Sunderland, which was playing three days after beating Manchester United on penalties to reach the League Cup final against Man City. Charis Mavrias scored the only goal in the fifth minute. Southampton beat Yeovil 2-0, Swansea won 2-1 at Birmingham, Hull defeated Southend 2-0 and Cardiff was a 1-0 winner at Bolton. ' ' ' |
