pitched well for the Cubs this season despite

Former Tottenham Hotspur, Jermain Defoe - in hopes of making Englands squad for the upcoming World Cup - saw MLS as his best showcase. Cheap Blackhawks Jerseys . Michael Bradley, who some argue to be the strongest American player in the world, also left soccers more glamorous European stage, departing AS Roma for more playing time in preparation for Brazil this coming summer. This weekend saw both players delivering on their marquee reputations in front of a sold out crowd at TFCs BMO Field. Defoe maintained his status as the sole goal scorer of the team, netting his third of the season, while Bradleys midfield presence and decisive passing continues to impress. A second-half collision forced Bradley to leave the field, only to return with his head semi- mummified with blood soaked bandages, displaying a trait that will undoubtedly endear him to Canadian fans. BarDown went to the game to bring the sights both on and off the field. Take a look. (All photos by Paul Harrington for TSN/BarDown) 1. Fans watch TFC players warm up before the teams home opener at Torontos BMO Field, Saturday, March 22nd, 2014. 2. Dwayne De Rosario puts hand-to-heart while the national anthem plays, in preparation for the home opener to start. 3. Coaching staff cheer on players as the home opener kicks off against DC United. 4. The off-seasons roster additions and a successful first away-game bring a sold-out crowd of 22,591 to the first home game of TFCs 2014 campaign. 5. Brazilian striker Gilberto participates in his TFC debut after missing the season starter with a leg injury. Gilberto brought speed and was an integral contributor to the one goal of the day. 6. TFCs English Premier League import, Jermain Defoe, takes the ball upfield. 7. Jermain Defoe fights Perry Kitchen for a header while TFCs Michael Bradley and DC Uniteds Nick DeLeon watch on. 8. The scoreless first half comes to a close as fans in the North East section of BMO Field endure cool temperatures to support the home team. 9. TFCs Michael Bradley takes a kick from midfield. Bradley came to the team via Roma of the Serie A, and has so far performed as advertised, being a dominant midfielder. 10. DC Uniteds goalkeeper, Bill Hamid, lunges to launch the ball back into play. Defoe described Hamids play during the home opener as "amazing," stopping 13 of the 14 shots he faced. 11. Players from both teams gather as TFCs Doneil Henry argues with the referee during the teams home opener. 12/13. Fans of the south side stands enjoy the second half. 14. The sun makes its appearance as TFCs Jermain Defoe watches the ball roll past DC Uniteds goalkeeper, Bill Hamid, and defenders Sean Franklin and Bobby Boswell. Defoe leads the team with all three goals scored so far in the 2014 season and was credited with half the 14 shots taken by TFC in the game. 15. Fans of the south east corner of BMO Field known as the Red Patch Boys celebrate Defoes goal by throwing fake money in the air, a means of representing the big money the team spent on bringing in imported talent at any cost. 16. Players gather to celebrate the first and only goal of the game. 17. South end supporters rejoice after the home squad takes a 1-0 lead by unleashing red smoke. 18. Hometown favourite, Dwayne De Rosario, is subbed into the game in the second half. De Rosario is a former TFC player who re-signed with the team early this year after stops in New York, playing for the Red Bulls, as well as DC United. 19. Players gather on the field and celebrate with fans after the game ends with a 1-0 win. 20. Michael Bradley leaves the field applauding an enthusiastic fan-base. A head-to-head collision with DCs Davy Arnaud led to a wound later repaired with staples. After the game, Defoe said of Bradley, "He gives everything, every game. Mikes winning mentality and his energy lifts the team…" 21. TFCs Jermain Defoe speaks with a reporter after the game. His legs display a hard played game, having taken 7 shots and netting a goal, his third in two games of the 2014 season. Stitched Blackhawks Jerseys .J. -- Jaromir Jagr has hit so many NHL milestones this season for the New Jersey Devils that he is starting to downplay them. Chicago Blackhawks Shirts . - Jesse Shynkaruk scored a hat trick as the Moose Jaw Warriors snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-2 win over the Prince Albert Raiders in Western Hockey League action on Saturday. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/ . The 55th-ranked Istomin saved 11 of 14 break points to win in just over two hours, setting up a second round meeting with Australian Marinko Matosevic. It was the Uzbeks third win in three matches against fifth-seeded Kohlschreiber, the 2007 and 2012 tournament winner.(SportsNetwork.com) - Jeff Samardzija makes his Oakland debut on Sunday, as the Athletics try to complete a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays at O.co Coliseum. Samardzija, of course, was acquired along with fellow right-hander Jason Hammel from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday for Oaklands top two prospects, as well as hard-throwing right-hander Dan Straily. "Im right where I need to be, man," Samardzija said Saturday, when he joined the team in Oakland. "Ive been begging for this for a while, situation-wise, of coming in every day to win games." Samardzija has pitched well for the Cubs this season despite his 2-7 record, as Chicago has been shut out five times over his 17 starts and scored two or less runs in 11 of those outings. Hes also struck out 103 batters in 108 innings pitched this year. "Im coming to a team that has done fine without me and Im just looking to do my part," said Samardzija. "Hopefully, I add to the depth of the pitching staff." Oakland took the first three games of this weekends series, including a 5-1 triumph on Saturday. Josh Donaldson homered and Nate Freiman, Jed Lowrie, Alberto Callaspo and Stephen Vogt each drove in a run as well for Oakland in Saturdays win. That was plenty of offense for starter Scott Kazmmir, who let up just one run on three hits over seven innings, while striking out eight batters. Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys. Oaklands current three-game winning streak comes on the heels of three-game sweep it suffered against Detroit this past week. Mark Buehrle allowed three runs on 10 hits over six innings to take the loss. He is now 10-6 and has lost his last four decisions. The Blue Jays have lost six of their last eight contests. Drew Hutchison will make the start for Toronto in Sundays finale. The 23-year-old has been solid in the rotation for the Blue Jays this season, posting a record of 6-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 17 starts just a year after he did not make a single appearance at the Major League level due to injury. He had started in 11 games during the 2012 season. Hutchison pitched one of the best games of his career his last time out, twirling seven innings of one-run ball, while striking out a career-high 10 batters to help Toronto to a 4-1 win. The right-hander had lost three of his previous four decisions. Sundays start will be the first Hutchison has ever made against Oakland. Although Oakland has had the upper hand this weekend, Toronto has been the more dominant between these teams recently. The Blue Jays swept a three-game series at home from May 23-25 and won two of three in Oakland a season ago. ' ' '