TORONTO -- Toronto FC managers are no stranger to being on the hot seat, given the underachieving MLS franchises woeful record. Two months before the start of the 2014 season, Torontos Ryan Nelsen finds himself under the spotlight for entirely different reasons -- the high expectations that come with the clubs recent spending spree. As the slogan in the Detroit Red Wings dressing room says, "To whom much is given, much is expected." ESPN commentator Alexi Lalas clearly agrees, choosing Nelsen as his choice for coach on the hot seat during coverage of Thursdays MLS SuperDraft. The 36-year-old Nelsen welcomes the pressure. "Of course. Ive always been in that (situation) my whole career, my whole life," he said Thursday from Philadelphia, site of the MLS SuperDraft. "It doesnt take a rocket scientist to work that out. "Would I rather be in that position or what we were last year?" he asked. An easy question to answer. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which owns the club, has raised the bar on MLS designated player compensation with the signing of England striker Jermain Defoe and U.S. midfielder Michael Bradley. The additions of Brazilians Gilberto and Jackson, Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario and U.S. international fullback Justin Morrow have also drawn attention to TFC. "We normally get the wrong end of the press generally so its nice to be, I suppose, on the other side," said Nelsen, who went 6-17-11 last season as he tried to sort out the salary cap and other issues he inherited. "And thats good for the fans and the club. "We know were still a couple of pieces away and were working really hard to get there. But well see." Nelsen, who became the franchises eighth manager in seven seasons when he took over prior to the 2013 season, added two more pieces Thursday by drafting Xavier centre back Nick Hagglund in the first round and Elon left-winger Danny Lovitz in the second (24th). The two players are ones for the future, although Nelsen says that can change depending on performance. "Both are guys that we saw that long-term would have the best positive chance to play for Toronto FC." Toronto sent its 15th overall pick and allocation money to the Philadelphia Union in order to get Hagglund with the 10th pick. "He was gone before it got to us (with the 15th pick) and we couldnt allow that," said Nelsen. "Youve got to get the guy that you really want." The 21-year-old Hagglund won Defensive Player of the Year honours in the Big East in 2013 for the second straight year. In his four seasons with the Musketeers, Hagglund made 80 starts with four goals and 11 assists. The Cincinnati native featured in 31 Xavier shutouts. Nelsen says the MLS Combine confirmed what they already knew about Hagglund -- a dominant centre back whos competitive, reads the game well and is good in the air. "Im so excited, Im pumped," Hagglund said of coming to Toronto. "I think this is the place to be playing soccer right now," he added. "This is where the excitement is happening." Hagglund calls himself a reliable defender -- "an athletic centre back that has the ability to outjump, outrun the guys that are coming at me." The six-foot-one 193-pounder started his collegiate career at forward, moving back to midfield and then centre back at the end of his freshman year after a change in coaches. Hagglunds selection adds depth to a Toronto backline that features captain Steven Caldwell, Canadian international Doneil Henry and Gale Agbossoumonde. Recently acquired U.S. international fullback Justin Morrow can also play centre back. Mark Bloom played well at right fullback when he came in at the end of last season, as the freezing out of incumbent Richard Eckersley started early due to his hefty contract. Asked what he planned at right back, Nelsen said: "Watch this space. We obviously know what we need and I wouldnt be very surprised if something happens pretty soon." It would seem that the club would have to use a one-time buyout to get rid of Eckersleys contract without impacting its salary cup. But given GM Tim Bezbatchenkos knowledge of what goes on behind the curtain at the leagues front office, there could be another outcome. In snapping up Bradley and squeezing a pair of draft choices out of the departing Bobby Convey and Stefan Frei, Bezbatchenko has already proved to be a canny operator. Toronto also has to do something about Argentine midfielder Matias Laba, either finding a way to remove his designated player label and keep him or move him on. Teams are only allowed three DPs and Toronto currently has four in Bradley, Defoe, Gilberto and Laba. The five-foot-10 193-pound Lovitz missed the Combine due to a slight meniscus tear. That may have helped Torontos cause since Nelsen believes he would have turned heads had he played. The 22-year-old from Wyndmoor, Pa., was Southern Conference player of the year in 2013. He had four goals and six assists in helping the Phoenix to a 15-5-3 record and the SoCon title. "Hes direct, hes left-footed, he runs at defenders," said Nelsen. "Hes got a great work ethic. He adds something that we kind of dont really have in our squad." Lovitz had nine goals and added 16 assists in 80 starts at Elon. Torontos original first-round pick -- third overall -- went to Vancouver in the trade for French striker Eric Hassli in July 2012. The Whitecaps used that to select California defender Christian Dean. Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hi Kerry, Im in the middle of watching the Oilers-Predators game Tuesday night where we saw a puck that entered the net called no goal by the ref behind the net. After over a minute of continued play which included an Oilers penalty, the play finally stopped and the refs were able to review the goal (it was a good goal). The broadcasters said that they would have to bring the play back to the moment in time when that goal happened, so I was surprised to see Mark Frasers penalty stand from the end of the play. My question is as follows: What would have happened if Nashville had scored a goal as well? They had some good sustained pressure after the Hall goal. They let the penalty at the end of the play stand, but would they have also let a Nashville goal stand? Thanks. Aaron Deblois,Edmonton Aaron, Once video review was instituted to determine the scoring of legitimate goals, including those that are undetected by the referee during the course of play, Rule 78.6 was included in the rule book to cover the situation that occurred in Tuesday nights Oilers-Predators game. Interestingly, I was called to rule upon the identical situation the first very time it occurred in an NHL game. Current executive VP and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell was behind the bench that night as coach of the NY Rangers for a game in Pittsburgh. The Rangers scored an undetected goal and play continued for another minute until I blew my whistle for a Ranger penalty. While assessing the penalty, a horn sounded to signify the play was placed under review by the video goal judge located in the Pittsburgh Arena. Video review confirmed that the puck had indeed entered the net for a Ranger goal. I instructed the timekeeper to re-set the clock to the time of the goal and place two minutes on the Rangers penalty clock. I explained the strange turn of events that resulted from this new rule application to Coach Campbell at the Rangers bench. While pleased with the award of a goal for his team, the coach was somewhat miffed that the penalty should stand given the difference inn game time that had occurred.dddddddddddd Nonetheless, Campbell trusted my knowledge of the rule and the Rangers killed off the minor penalty. This initial situation was handled "on-site" by the referee and the video goal judge. Currently all video decisions are made "off-site" in the Situation Room in Toronto under the direction of former coach, Colin Campbell who received some basic training that night in the Igloo. Aaron, I provide points from Rule 78.6 that address various scenarios and answer your specific question. • Any potential goal must be reviewed during the next stoppage of play. No review can take place after the puck has been dropped.• If an apparent goal is confirmed by video review, the clock is re-set to the time the goal was scored.• Only one goal can be awarded at any stoppage of play. Had Nashville subsequently scored to stop play after Taylor Halls undetected goal, the Preds goal would not stand.• If review determined that the undetected goal by Taylor Hall was scored illegally (i.e. distinct kicking motion), the goal shall be disallowed and since the play should have stopped, no subsequent goal scored by either team can be awarded on the same play. The clock (including penalty time clocks, if applicable) must be re-set to the time of the disallowed goal by Hall.• Any penalties (Mark Fraser) signaled during the period of time between the apparent goal (scored by Hall) and the next stoppage of play shall be assessed in the normal manner, except when a minor penalty is to be assessed to the team scored upon (Nashville), and is therefore nullified by the scoring of the goal. If the penalty to be assessed (Nashville) was a double minor, one of the minors would be nullified with the scoring of the goal.• *If an infraction happens after the first stoppage of play following an apparent goal (i.e. infraction committed by Mark Fraser or a Preds player occurred after the whistle) by either team, it is assessed and served in the normal manner regardless as to the decision rendered by the Video Goal Judge. Whenever this unusual play occurs in a game, Rule 78.6 provides the necessary check-list for the referee and video review to follow. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys' ' '
