Funkerstation » N DIEGO -- Brett Bailey scored 17 points an

TORONTO -- Having played in two World Cups for the United States and finishing on the losing side of the Coppa Italia final when he was with Roma, Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley is no stranger to the big occasion.But hes also savvy enough to know that pre-game plans dont always pan out, so when he leads his team onto the field for Saturday nights MLS Cup final against the Seattle Sounders, hell be keeping an open mind.Theres no blueprint for these games, for big games, he said. You never know what to predict, you have to be ready no matter how things go to react and to not let anything faze you and to go for it.Toronto FC has certainly done that throughout these MLS Cup playoffs, setting an MLS record with 17 goals scored through their first five games. But while Jozy Altidore and former MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco have captured most of the headlines in that regard with nine goals between them, what takes place in the middle of the field may have a bigger impact on which team lifts the trophy.Thats where Bradley will go head to head with Seattles Osvaldo Alonso and Cristian Roldan, and he knows just how important that battle will be, acknowledging that their play dictates how much freedom Seattle stars such as Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro will have.I think ultimately what goes on in the center of the field in these games goes a long way to dictating who wins, Bradley said. So its important for us to feel like in all areas in the center part of the field were taking good care of things.While Toronto coach Greg Vanney said the attacking nature of both teams could produce one of the most exciting MLS Cup finals yet, Seattle counterpart Brian Schmetzer said the matchup between Giovinco and Lodeiro could produce fireworks.Defenders have to be on their toes, he said. Nico makes sharp, quick turns. Giovinco does the same. Theyre a little different, though. Giovinco is a scorer. Nico has scored his fair share of goals, but Nico can put in those final passes.Lodeiro agreed with his coachs assessment to a point. Though they have both scored four playoff goals so far, for the Uruguayan, thats where the similarities end.Were completely different players, he said through an interpreter. The only way were alike is that were short.HIGH FIVE: Altidore is the first player in MLS history to score in five consecutive matches in the same postseason. His five-goal total is tied for fifth-most in a single postseason, three behind the record of eight, set by Carlos Ruiz of the LA Galaxy in 2002.HAT TRICK HOPEFUL: Toronto midfielder Will Johnson is aiming to join a select group of players that have won the MLS Cup with three different teams. After previous victories with Real Salt Lake (2009) and last year with the Portland Timbers, Johnson can become the fifth player to pull off the hat trick.MORRIS CODE: It took less than a season for Morris to have a game that will live on in Sounders lore no matter Saturdays outcome.Morris goal in the second-leg of the Western Conference final against Colorado assured Seattle a spot in the championship game. Morris played that game on Nov. 30 despite illness, suffered a knee injury on the deciding goal and was playing with a slight hamstring strain suffered three weeks earlier.Morris scored in both legs of the conference finals against Colorado and had an assist in the semifinals against FC Dallas. Hes been a consistent scoring threat in the playoffs and what Seattle hoped it was getting when Morris signed with his hometown team last winter.BACK TO TORONTO: Stefan Frei was once considered the goalkeeper of the future for Toronto, before an injury that cost him nearly the entire 2012 season derailed those plans.Hes become the anchor at the back of Seattles defense and would relish in winning his first MLS Cup title at the expense of his former team.Frei and Seattles defense as a whole have been solid in the playoffs. Seattle has allowed three goals in five playoff matches, and Frei has been responsible for three shutouts.EXPANSION FINALE: The previous 20 years of MLS championship matches featured at least one team that was an original from when the league began in 1996. The Seattle-Toronto matchup is the first time two expansion teams are meeting in the championship and ensures at least one soccer hotbed market walks away with a first MLS title.---AP Sports Writer Tim Booth in Seattle contributed to this report. cheap nba jerseys . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. jerseys nfl wholesale . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. http://www.nfljerseyschinashop.com/ . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. wholesale nfl jerseys . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. authentic cheap jerseys . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. SAN DIEGO -- Brett Bailey scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Frank Ryder added 16 points and San Diego pulled away early to beat UC Santa Barbara 77-68 on Sunday night to win their third straight.The Toreros (5-5) led for good at 31-30 on Baileys 3-pointer and were up 37-34 at halftime. Bailey scored 10 points in the half.Olin Carter III hit a 3 to open the second half and San Diego led 64-58 after Ryder and Bailey each made a pair of free throws. Tyler Willliams 3-pointer put San Diego up by 11 with 1:45 left and the Toreros held on.dddddddddddd.Williams scored 15 points and made 3 of 5 3-pointers, Carter added 13 points and San Diego shot 12 of 26 (46.2 percent) from long distance. The Gauchos missed all 10 of their 3s in the second half.Gabe Vincent scored 23 points for the Gauchos (1-6). ' ' '