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(2014-12-28 22:32:02) 下一個
KENNESAW, Ga. John Abraham Jersey . -- The sun came out, the United States kicked into another gear, and weary Uruguay couldnt keep up. The result: another Rugby World Cup for the Eagles. Rallying from a 10-point deficit at the break, Mike Petri put the Americans ahead to stay with a heads-up play and Andrew Suniula scored a pair of tries 2 minutes apart to lead the U.S. to a 32-13 victory Saturday, claiming a spot in the World Cup next year. The Eagles did a victory lap around the stadium and posed in front of a sign that said it all: "Qualified." "We stuck to the game plan and didnt try to do it all at once. Forty minutes is a long time," American coach Mike Tolkin said. "We chipped away, and eventually the floodgates opened." The U.S. took the home-and-home series after the teams tied 27-27 a week earlier at Montevideo. Los Teros still have a chance to qualify through the cross-continent repechage, but their task gets much tougher. They would have to win two series to claim the second-chance spot. The Americans, on the other hand, have nearly 18 months to prepare for their fifth straight Rugby World Cup appearance. They have never advanced past pool play, which will be their goal when they get to England. "Now we can use some younger players, build the depth of our squad," Tolkin said. "When youre still trying to qualify, theres not much room for manoeuvring." Playing before a boisterous crowd of about 5,000 at Kennesaw State University in suburban Atlanta, the Eagles fell behind 13-3 at the break. Uruguay took advantage of several penalties against the U.S., which went down two players at one point. Joaquin Prada scored a try in the 22nd penalty while the Americans were short-handed, and Los Teros booted through a couple of penalty kicks. But the second half was all Eagles. They outscored Uruguay 29-0 on a day that started rainy and blustery, but turned sunny about the time the Americans were blowing it open. Eric Fry narrowed the margin by powering over for a try in the 46th minute, but it was Petri who really sparked the U.S. with his effort in the 61st. After Uruguay was whistled for a penalty, Petri noticed several of the visiting players turning their backs and trying to catch their breath. He did a quick little kick to himself, and didnt stop running until he dove across the goal line. "The opportunity came to change the pace," Petri said with a shrug. "It just worked out." The teams captain, Todd Clever, chided Petri for downplaying his quick thinking. "That was a heads-up play," Clever said. "Hes one of the smartest guys on our team. He saw the gap and how they were a little lazy getting back. Petes," he said, turning to his teammate, "it was all you." Suniula finished off Uruguay with his speed, blowing past a team that simply didnt have the stamina to keep up. That was quite a change from the first match, when Los Teros squandered a 19-6 lead but scored a late try to tie the Americans. "Weve been training really good, but sometimes players are tired," Uruguay coach Pablo Lemoine said. "The last 15 minutes in Montevideo was our best 15 minutes of the year. Today, we played terrible." While the Eagles have been a regular at the Rugby World Cup, qualifying seven out of eight times, they have just three victories in 21 matches on the biggest stage. The U.S. has never advanced out of its group. Thats the goal this time. "Why not us?" Tolkin said. "I think we have more depth, and weve been playing a better level of games. Theres no reason for us not to be playing to get into the next round. Were not going to back down from anyone." Jonathan Cooper Jersey . Gretzky was asked if he believes Montreal Canadiens defenceman PK Subban should be on Canadas blueline in February at the Sochi Olympics. "Im not going to get in the middle of that controversy because Stevie Yzerman obviously knows what hes doing, he won a gold medal in 2010," said Gretzky. Frostee Rucker . The thunderous cheers quickly changed to an appreciative chant: "Ma-son! Ma-son! Ma-son! Headed to New York with new life, Mason sure earned this curtain call.TORONTO -- Ask people who know Bradley Orr and the reviews of the veteran English fullback are glowing. A great teammate. An experienced professional. A player to watch and learn from. "Hes a fabulous member of any squad," said Toronto FC captain Steven Caldwell, whos known the 31-year-old Orr for more than 15 years and shares an agent. "A real character, a real winner." That character, in part, was forged the hard way. As a young man, he made mistakes that led to jail. Then the Liverpool native learned from them. If Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is looking for someone to mentor 21-year-old Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas, charged this week with drunk driving, it probably need look no further than its sister soccer team and Orr. He made headlines in 2006 when he was one of three Bristol City players jailed for their part in a nightclub brawl. A fourth player was given community service. Orr and a teammate were sentenced to 28 days in jail. Wales international David Partridge was given two months behind bars. The players were also suspended and fined two weeks wages by their club. "Soccer Heroes in Prison Shame" was the headline in Englands Sun tabloid. It didnt help that just days before sentencing, Orr was sent off for attempting to head-butt a teammate during a nationally televised game. Some eight years later, Orr believes his biggest mistake was just being at the Romeo Browns nightclub. "Not a lot of people actually know the story and what happened," said Orr, who doesnt shy away from his past or his missteps. A teammate -- "not necessarily a friend" -- was thrown out of the nightclub and then became involved in a brawl with bouncers, two of whom were also charged later. "Things got out of hand. It was wrong place wrong time," said Orr. "He ended up getting a beating. I tried to stop it, got caught up in it and ended up finding myself in prison at the age of 23. "Not ideal but I probably wouldnt change it, because from that, a lot of thought and reflection went on. I decided there and then its either give it everything youve got and try to make the most of this amazing opportunity that Id been given. Or Im going to find myself like many other lads around the same age, and certainly from the same city, on the scrap heap where youve got a bit of ability, youve got the talent but you havent quite got the mentality or the maturity or the discipline to succeed." Orr said he made "little adjustments," worked on his weaknesses and "really knuckled down and gave it everything." "Its eight years down the line and Im still playing football for a living. Ive got an amazing family here with me. Ive got a lot of people who mean a lot to me." Many of those stuck by him during those "dark times." "I was a young lad, I was distraught. I thought my career was finished. You think the worst at that age and I had 23 hours a day to think about it in a cell." "Im just glad I learned from a mistake, in a positive way," he added. "The outcome since then has pretty good so far. I think Ive had a decent enough career and oone I can look back (at) with pride. Chandler Catanzaro Jersey. "Even though that was an isolated incident and Im not proud of it, I certainly wouldnt change it because its probably helped make me who I am." Orr pleaded guilty based on advice that he would get some kind of community service. His father and girlfriend came to court, expecting to drive him home. Instead he was taken directly below to the cells. Orrs soccer journey featured stints with Newcastle United, Burnley, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers, Ipswich Town and Blackpool before joining Toronto FC on loan in late January. He spent the bulk of his career with Bristol City, playing more than 225 games between 2004 and 2010. At 31, Orr is one of the grey beards on Toronto FCs squad. Only Dwayne De Rosario (35), Caldwell (33) and Jermain Defoe (by less than a month) are older. Orr showed his value Saturday in Columbus when injuries and suspension pressed him into service as centre back, alongside 21-year-old rookie Nick Hagglund. Toronto blanked the previously unbeaten Crew 2-0 with Orr one of three TFC players subsequently named to the MLS team of the week. The performance out of position is just why manager Ryan Nelsen acquired Orr. "For me, we needed just hardened guys who have kind of seen both sides of the tracks, if you know what I mean," Nelsen said. "Just so our young guys can learn what it takes to be a pro, to win away (games), to do the little things that it takes to be a good team. And you generally learn that from experience." Nelsen knows talent is not everything. Character plays a huge role in how far a player goes. "Our young guys have got to see that. Because its the best lesson to learn, that theyve got to do a lot of ugly stuff before they can kind of get to that top." Ask Orr about Hagglunds performance in Columbus and the veteran beams. "He was fantastic. I was delighted for Nick. His attitude towards his profession is absolutely (a) different class. He comes in every day really willing to learn and work hard. And theyre the type of lads who you want to see do well." One of the reasons Orr opted for MLS was he wanted to take himself out of his comfort zone and test himself. He has not regretted the move. Orr, who came to Canada with his wife and five-year-old twin boys, has marvelled at the passion of Torontos fans for sports. "Its really mind-blowing," said Orr. He is also blown away by Toronto FCs set-up "How can you not love this place?" he asked, pointing at the clubs well-appointed training centre. "The facilities are world-class. The citys fantastic." "So far Im loving it. Hopefully that can continue and I cant see no reason why not," he added. Orr has jumped right into Torontos sports community, taking in both Leafs and Raptors games. Hes also not afraid of getting out among the fans. A lifelong "big, big" Liverpool fan -- his 21-year-old nephew Jon Flanagan plays for the Reds -- Orr recently found out where the local supporters club was based. So he and Caldwell, with sons in tow, dropped in to see a recent Sunday game over breakfast. cheap jerseys ' ' '
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