After seven years of failure, it finally seems as though Toronto FC is moving in the right direction. . With Major League Soccers youngest general manager Tim Bezbatchenko at the helm and the vastly experienced Tim Leiweke heading up the organization, we are starting to see encouraging signs as the foundation is laid for a much improved roster in 2014. Of course, there have been many false dawns before at a club that has changed direction far too many times in its short history, but this time it feels different. There actually seems to be a plan being carried out by people who have the ability, knowledge and relationships to get the job done. The signing of24-year-old Brazilian forward Gilberto as a Designated Player on Friday could be a major piece of the puzzle, but other moves made this week also give an indication that progress is being made. Jacksons arrival from FC Dallas provides the club with some MLS experience as well as someone who can play in a number of different positions. The trade of Stefan Frei along with re-signing of Joe Bendik ensured the goalkeeping situation was dealt with in a timely manner. The fact that these moves are being made in early December instead of March is a welcome change. At Toronto FCs Downsview Park training facility, “the war room” as Bezbatchenko likes to call it has a board with long lists of players they are chasing. The moves the club is making are calculated. There are top targets, and many back-up plans as the GM and his team work through a process paying great attention to detail, determined to get the best fit possible for their club in both a football and financial sense. They have made no secret of their intention to sign a big-name Designated Player. Jermain Defoe is set to join the club in January from Tottenham Hotspur, but he is just one of four or five top level DPs the club has targeted. Plan B, C and D are all on stand-by in case there is a last minute hitch with the England forward, although I understand the deal has already been agreed to to bring Defoe to Toronto for a transfer fee that could rise as high as $13 million. Beyond the DP signings there are also two or three other key players Bezbatchenko expects to bring in. Dwayne De Rosario is a potential target, but only if the deal is right. TFC certainly wont overpay to bring the veteran home. Bezbatchenko is taking a methodical approach that will hopefully ensure the club isnt left scrambling in preseason looking to sign players as has been the case on so many previous occasions. This year, there should be no need for 10 players to turn up for a preseason trial in Orlando, or for multiple players to be rushed to the border to activate work permits on the afternoon before the season opener. There was even an occasion a few years ago where a deal was done so late that a player had to sign his contract in the taxi on the way from the airport to the stadium for the first game of the season! I sense those days are over. When talking with Tim Bezbatchenko it is easy to see he has a plan. He also has the relationships within the league to assist in making that plan work. In the tight knit community of Major League Soccer, the importance of having relationships with other clubs, agents and players cannot be underestimated, and having worked at league office, Bezbatchenko has earned respect across MLS. Toronto FC fans have the right to be skeptical - they have seen failure too many times before. But with three months until the new season begins, the club is finally starting to deliver on its promises, and that is an extremely big step forward for a franchise that cannot afford to fail again. [url=http://www.cheapnfljerseychinaonline.com/]wholesale jerseys . Behind every great team is a great coach. And the NHL has more than its fair share of distinguished bench bosses this season. . James is being kept out of Miamis final road game -- against the Cavaliers -- as the Heat get ready for the NBA playoffs by resting almost all of their top players. [url=http://www.bayernmunichsocceronline.com/authentic-tom-starke-fc-nayern-muni... . -- Lindsey Vonn squeezed in a little freeskiing on Thanksgiving morning, a step in the right direction for a return to racing after reinjuring her right knee in a recent training crash. [url=http://www.cheapjerseysmart.us/]wholesale nfl jerseys . Austin Kearns had three hits for the Indians, while starter Fausto Carmona gave up an unearned run in five innings. He also allowed five hits, walked one, and fanned three. . The bogeys on the closing hole at TPC Four Seasons havent cost him the lead yet. Bradley overcame consecutive bogeys early and bogeyed No. 18 for the third round in a row Saturday to finish with a 2-under 68 that kept him in the lead. Current Non-Import Roster # Name POS HT WT University 59 Eppele, Joe OL 68 304 Washington State 64 Jones, Andrew OL 63 326 McMaster 67 Keeping, Jeff OL 66 291 Western 57 Parenteau, Marc OL 65 294 Boston College 68 Reinders, Joel OL 68 315 Waterloo 52 Smith, Wayne OL 64 306 Appalachian State 54 Van Zeyl, Chris OL 67 300 McMaster 88 Bradwell, Mike WR 64 193 McMaster 32 Durie, Andre WR 510 197 York 83 Feoli-Gudino, Julian WR 60 204 Laval 87 Hurst, Quincy WR 58 154 Manitoba 18 Kouame, Djems WR 61 192 Montreal 82 Rempel, Chad WR 61 192 Montreal 89 Watt, Spencer WR 60 185 Simon Fraser 33 Johnson, Jeff RB 510 219 York 91 Lee, David DL 64 247 Western 0 Reid, Jermaine DL 64 275 Akron 97 Robinson, Alexander DL 66 256 Western - Antwi, Akwasi LB 62 250 Mount Allison 47 Jones, Kyle LB 62 209 Bishops 46 Pottinger, Jason LB 63 232 McMaster 42 Spencer, Walter LB 510 217 Indianapolis - Yurichuk, James LB 63 222 Bishops 39 Black, Matt DB 59 187 Saginaw Valley State 41 Hood, Jonathan DB 60 195 Western 13 Alix, Anthony K 60 187 St. [url=http://www.officialmanchestercity.com/authentic-john-guidetti-manchester-ci... Guidetti Manchester City Jersey. Francis Xavier Potential Non-Import Starting Positions5 offensive linemen, 2 receivers, linebacker, 1 defensive lineman Key Canadian Arrivals DL Jermaine Reid was picked up in a deal with Edmonton. LB James Yurichuk and DB/LB Jonathan Hood arrived from B.C. and Hamilton respectively as free agents. LB Akwasi Antwi was acquired from Calgary for the playing rights to 2006 first round pick Dan Federkeil. Key Canadian Departures DE Ricky Foley headed to Saskatchewan as a free agent while DT Adriano Belli and K/P Noel Prefontaine retired. OL Cedric Gagé-Marcoux remains unsigned. In The Pipeline2011 pick OL Tyler Holmes is with the Minnesota Vikings, while 2012 draftee TE Luke Willson just became a fifth round pick of the Seattle Seahawks. DT Cleyon Laing and LB Hervé Tonye-Tonye are 2012 draft picks who should be with Toronto this season. The big question is whether or not the Boatmen will ever see 2010 third overall pick LB Cory Greenwood, who enters his fourth season with the Kansas City Chiefs. Draft NeedsThe club may look to replace veteran backups with promising youngsters on the offensive line. The depth of this draft class at defensive tackle should certainly interest the Argonauts as well. The club is also thin at defensive back and may look to bring in another young Canadian to challenge Anthony Alix for the role of “kicker of the future”. 2013 Draft Selections8th, 17th, 39th, 40th, 44th, 52nd, 60th Early Round Picks (2008-2012)2008: SB Mike Bradwell (13th)2009: DL Étienne Légaré (2nd), WR Matt Lambros (10th)2010: OL Joe Eppele (2nd), LB Cory Greenwood (3rd), K/DB Grant Shaw (11th)2011: OL Tyler Holmes (7th)2012: DL Cleyon Laing (9th) Best Late Round Pick (2008-2012)Hometown hero DB Matt Black was chosen in the sixth round (45th overall) in 2008 and has developed into a cornerstone of the clubs special teams. Quirky Draft FactThe NIC is a pre-draft scouting combine for players who have been overlooked for invitations to the CFL Combine. In each of the first three years of its existence, the Double Blue have used a middle round pick to take a receiver who attended the NIC. All three of those picks, Spencer Watt (18th overall, 2010), Djems Kouamé (18th, 2011), and Quincy Hurst (28th, 2012) remain with the Argonauts. For those keeping track, the top draft eligible receiver at this years NIC was 63” Stephen Adekolu of Bishops...but the Argos dont currently have any selections in Rounds 3 and 4. ' ' '