Kritik und Anregungen » . Dec. 31 (ABC)Schlabach:?

It says something about the conundrum that is Toronto FC that Eric Avila only wants to talk about the good memories he has of the team that cut him adrift. The slight midfielder, who now plies his trade for Chivas USA, remains a huge fan of the underachieving MLS franchise in Toronto. "I really enjoyed my time there," he said in an interview Tuesday. "Obviously playing-wise was not as much as I wanted. But the experience of being up there and playing. And obviously playing in front of all the fans there, its amazing." On Wednesday, Avila and Chivas (3-11-5) will welcome Toronto (2-9-7) to the StubHub Centre in Carson, Calif., just south of Los Angeles. Toronto may want to keep a close eye on the former Red. Avila, acquired in January by Chivas from Colorado after the MLS re-entry draft, has scored against both Montreal and Vancouver this season. The 25-year-old from San Diego was a familiar sight to reporters covering Toronto FC. They often saw Avila, his cowboy-like gait and slim build hard to miss, getting off a streetcar en route to BMO Field. "The citys amazing," he said of Toronto. "Obviously theres a lot of friendly people down there. ... I didnt have a car so I got to know the way through the streetcars and trains." After signing a Generation Adidas contract as an elite underclassman, the former U.S. under-20 international was taken by FC Dallas 19th overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. In four seasons for Dallas, Avila made 63 appearances. He was traded to Toronto during the 2011 season, appearing in 33 games before being one of many players let loose after the disappointing 2012 season. He has flourished at Chivas, a team like Toronto under reconstruction, and has seen action in 16 games. His two goals are tied for the team lead, which while good for Avila speaks volumes about the ineptitude of the Chivas offence. When it comes to poor performance on the pitch, Toronto is almost unparalleled. The franchise, owned by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, could be a Harvard Business School study on how to and how not to run a sports franchise. Off the pitch, the team was a hit out of the box as fans flocked to the no-frills but cosy stadium on the citys lakefront. But management could not deliver the product to match the fan fervour. Now in its seventh season, Toronto has never made the playoffs and sports a woeful 47-97-62 regular-season record. TFC has only ever won 13 MLS games on the road. Yet the teams support remains amazingly vibrant. Toronto, under new management yet again this season, stands 18th in the 19-team standings, but ranks eighth in attendance at 19,608 a game. Is it any wonder that new MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke says Toronto FC has done "a lot of damage" to what he says was the best brand in MLS. Avila, however, sees the glass as half-full. His faith in Toronto is based on that support despite the constant management and roster fluctuations. "Dont get me wrong. Things are always changing there," he said. But Avila remembers the packed stands and enthusiasm that filled the Rogers Centre when Toronto hosted the defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy in a CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final in 2012. He recalls how the city rallied behind the soccer team. "For me, its a taste of the success of what it could be," he said of the franchise. Avila has also seen how Toronto looks after its players. The clubs training centre in north Toronto is European-calibre, complete with a chef and well-appointed facilities. The club is also among the best in MLS in looking after and settling in its players. These days, a car service helps ferry players to the training base north of the 401 highway. The turnover at Toronto has been such that only eight players on the current roster played with Avila last season. But the Chivas midfielder took time to seek out his old teammates in Los Angeles after TFC flew directly to the West Coast from their 3-0 loss Saturday in Kansas City. "I have nothing but love for Toronto. It will be very exciting to play against them," said Avila, sounding like he really meant it. At Chivas, Avila has re-stablished himself as a regular, albeit on a team with its own problems. Its been a difficult season for the largely Hispanic franchise, which fired coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola in late May with the team languishing in the Western Conference basement with a 3-7-2 record. Like Toronto, it has found goals hard to come by with just 17 in 19 games. Only D.C. United, with eight, has scored fewer goals. Chivas has not won a league game since March 30, going 0-10-4 since. Prior to a 3-1 loss in Philadelphia last time out, however, the Goats had managed three straight ties against Montreal, FC Dallas and New England. Chivas has been shut out nine times this season and managed to score more than one goal just four times. Since the end of April, Chivas has been outscored 24-5 in 11 league games. Wednesday could mark the Chivas debut of newly acquired U.S. international defender Carlos Bocanegro. Another new face is Mexican forward Erick (Cubo) Torres. Chivas is playing its fourth game in two weeks, returning home after an 0-1-2 road trip that included a 1-1 tie in Montreal. Toronto continues a busy portion of the schedule when it hosts Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bull (9-7-4) on Saturday. Ehire Adrianza Jersey . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Frank Viola Jersey . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. https://www.cheaptwins.com/312t-zack-littell-jersey-twins.html . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Jose Berrios Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Byron Buxton Jersey . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Note: All times EasternEditors note: Boston College, Northern Illinois, UCLA and Vanderbilt are projected to have 5-7 records in Mark Schlabachs projections but received bowl invitations based on Academic Progress Ratings rankings. Army is projected to finish 6-6 with two wins over FCS opponents, and Hawaii is projected to finish 6-7, but both also qualified based on APR ratings.College Football Playoff semifinalsCollege Football Playoff semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach BowlGeorgia Dome, Atlanta Dec. 31, time TBD (ESPN)Schlabach:?Alabama vs. Washington McMurphy:?Alabama vs. Ohio StateCollege Football Playoff semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta BowlUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona Dec. 31, time TBD (ESPN)Schlabach:?Clemson vs. Michigan McMurphy:?Clemson vs. WashingtonCollege Football Playoff National ChampionshipRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida Jan. 9, 2017, time TBD (ESPN)Schlabach: Alabama vs. Michigan McMurphy: Ohio State vs. WashingtonBowl scheduleGildan New Mexico BowlUniversity Stadium, Albuquerque, New Mexico 2 p.m. Dec. 17 (ESPN)Schlabach:?New Mexico vs. Texas San Antonio McMurphy: New Mexico vs. Texas San AntonioLas Vegas Bowl?Presented by GeicoSam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas 3:30 p.m. Dec. 17 (ABC)Schlabach:?San Diego State vs. Arizona State McMurphy:?Boise State vs. Arizona StateRaycom Media Camellia BowlCramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Troy vs. Central Michigan McMurphy:?Appalachian State vs. Central MichiganAutoNation Cure BowlCamping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida 7 p.m. Dec. 17 (CBSSN)Schlabach:?UCF vs. Idaho McMurphy: Army vs. South AlabamaR+L Carriers New Orleans BowlMercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans 9 p.m. Dec. 17 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Appalachian State vs. Middle Tennessee? McMurphy:?Troy vs. Old DominionMiami Beach BowlMarlins Park, Miami 2:30 p.m. Dec. 19 (ESPN)Schlabach: Houston vs. Toledo McMurphy:?UCF vs. OhioBoca Raton BowlFAU Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida 7 p.m. Dec. 20 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Old Dominion vs. Tulsa McMurphy: ?Louisiana Tech vs. MemphisSan Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia BowlQualcomm Stadium, San Diego 9 p.m. Dec. 21 (ESPN)Schlabach: BYU vs. Wyoming McMurphy: BYU vs. WyomingFamous Idaho Potato BowlAlbertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho 7 p.m. Dec. 22 (ESPN)Schlabach: Miami (Ohio) vs. Colorado State McMurphy:?Colorado State vs. Miami (Ohio)Popeyes Bahamas BowlThomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas 1 p.m. Dec. 23 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Western Kentucky vs. Memphis McMurphy:?North Texas vs. TulsaLockheed Martin Armed Forces BowlAmon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas 4:30 p.m. Dec. 23 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Baylor vs. Navy McMurphy:?Baylor vs. NavyDollar General BowlLadd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama 8 p.m. Dec. 23 (ESPN)Schlabach: Arkansas State vs. Ohio McMurphy:?Arkansas State vs. ToledoHawaii BowlAloha Stadium, Honolulu 8 p.m. Dec. 24 (ESPN)Schlabach: Louisiana Tech vs. Boise State McMurphy: Western Kentucky vs. HawaiiSt. Petersburg BowlTropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida 11 a.m. Dec. 26 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Vanderbilt vs. South Florida ? McMurphy: Vanderbilt vs. HoustonQuick Lane BowlFord Field, Detroit 2:30 p.m. Dec. 26 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Eastern Michigan vs. Maryland McMurphy: Boston College vs. MarylandCamping World Independence BowlIndependence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana 5 p.m. Dec. 26 (ESPN2)Schlabach:?Boston College vs. South Carolina McMurphy:?NC State vs. Souuth CarolinaZaxbys Heart of Dallas BowlCotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas Noon Dec.dddddddddddd 27 (ESPN)Schlabach: Hawaii vs. North Texas McMurphy:?Eastern Michigan vs. Middle TennesseeMilitary Bowl presented by Northrop GrummanNavy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland 3:30 p.m. Dec. 27 (ESPN)Schlabach: Georgia Tech vs. Temple McMurphy:?Pittsburgh vs. TempleNational Funding Holiday BowlQualcomm Stadium, San Diego 7 p.m. Dec. 27 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Minnesota vs. Washington State McMurphy: Iowa vs. UtahMotel 6 Cactus BowlChase Field, Phoenix 10:15 p.m. Dec. 27 (ESPN)Schlabach:?UCLA vs. TCU McMurphy:?San Diego State vs. TexasNew Era Pinstripe BowlYankee Stadium, New York 2 p.m. Dec. 28 (ESPN)Schlabach: Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern McMurphy:?Miami vs. MinnesotaRussell Athletic BowlCamping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 (ESPN)Schlabach: Virginia Tech vs. West Virginia McMurphy:?Virginia Tech vs. West VirginiaFoster Farms BowlLevis Stadium, Santa Clara, California 8:30 p.m. Dec. 28 (Fox)Schlabach:?Indiana vs. Stanford? McMurphy:?Stanford vs. NorthwesternAdvoCare V100 Texas BowlNRG Stadium, Houston 9 p.m. Dec. 28 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Kansas State vs. Texas A&M McMurphy: Kansas State vs. AuburnBirmingham BowlLegion Field, Birmingham, Alabama 2 p.m. Dec. 29 (ESPN)Schlabach: Army vs. Kentucky McMurphy:?USF vs. Ole MissBelk BowlBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina 5:30 p.m. Dec. 29 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Arkansas vs. North Carolina McMurphy:?Arkansas vs. North CarolinaValero Alamo BowlAlamodome, San Antonio 9 p.m. Dec. 29 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Oklahoma State vs. Colorado McMurphy:?Oklahoma vs. ColoradoAutoZone Liberty BowlLiberty Bowl, Memphis, Tennessee Noon Dec. 30 (ESPN)Schlabach: Texas vs. Ole Miss McMurphy: Kentucky vs. TCUHyundai Sun BowlSun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas 2 p.m. Dec. 30 (CBS)Schlabach: Wake Forest vs. Utah McMurphy:?Wake Forest vs. Washington StateFranklin American Mortgage Music City BowlNissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee 3:30 p.m. Dec. 30 (ESPN)Schlabach: Georgia vs. Iowa McMurphy:?Georgia vs. IndianaNOVA Home Loans Arizona BowlArizona Stadium, Tucson, Arizona 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30 (Campus Insiders)Schlabach:?Northern Illinois vs. Air Force McMurphy:?Idaho vs. Air ForceCapital One Orange Bowl?Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida 8 p.m. Dec. 30 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Louisville vs. Ohio State McMurphy:?Louisville vs. MichiganBuffalo Wild Wings Citrus BowlCamping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida 11 a.m. Dec. 31 (ABC)Schlabach:?Florida State vs. Auburn McMurphy:?Florida State vs. Texas A&MTaxSlayer Bowl?EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida 11 a.m. Dec. 31 (ESPN)Schlabach: Miami vs. Florida McMurphy: Georgia Tech vs. LSUOutback BowlRaymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida 1 p.m. Jan. 2 (ABC)Schlabach: Nebraska vs. LSU McMurphy:?Nebraska vs. FloridaGoodyear Cotton Bowl Classic?AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas 1 p.m. Jan. 2 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Western Michigan vs. Penn State? McMurphy:?Western Michigan vs. Penn StateRose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern MutualRose Bowl, Pasadena, California 5 p.m. Jan. 2 (ESPN)Schlabach:?Wisconsin ?vs. USC McMurphy:?Wisconsin vs. USCAllstate Sugar BowlMercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans Jan. 2, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)Schlabach:?Tennessee vs. Oklahoma McMurphy: Tennessee vs. Oklahoma State ' ' '