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A reality check. It was an all-around difficult night for Toronto FC at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. The Los Angeles Galaxy, the best team in Major League Soccer, put on a clinic a€“ not always dominant but absolute thorough in performance and approach a€“ in a 3-0 win over the Reds. Toronto FC wasna€?t that bad. The Galaxy were that good. The loss was a predictable set-back, one that Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney seemed resigned to. A point would have been massive, and altogether unexpected against a team who has now scored an incredible 31 goals in their last 10 matches. And oh yeah, by the way, the Galaxy own the best defensive record in MLS as well. Vanneya€?s starting XI suggested wishful thinking. The play on the field backed up that assumption. Toronto FC had positive moments: Luke Moore going off the post in the 29th minute, better consistency in team shape, a willingness to put higher pressure on the ball rather than sitting back far too deep, and a spirited second half performance. These are small moral victories. Ita€?s points that are needed. With four games to go, winning is mandatory. 10 points from 12 would ensure playoff qualification. Nine points may be suffice. The best news with Columbus and New York still to play one another, Toronto FC controls their playoff destiny. All is to play for with Houston (Wednesday) and New York (Saturday) ahead this week. Here are my five thoughts coming out of Toronto FCa€?s 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Rocking Robbie a€“ Two mistakes. Thata€?s all it takes for Robbie Keane to punish. Toronto FC was well aware of the threat posed by the Irishman in what has been an MVP caliber season for Keane, third in MLS in goals and tied for second in assists. The sloppy defending on the Galaxy striker in a span of three first half minutes was altogether disappointing. TFC started the match well, with Steven Caldwell and Nick Hagglund seemingly up for the challenge, with multiple timely blocks and important interjections. The positive start was compromised by a momentary lapse in the 22nd minute. Some wonderful passing and movement by Marcelo Sarvas carved open Toronto FC down the middle and ended with Keane getting wrong side on Steven Caldwell inside the box. All he needed was an arms-length worth of space from Torontoa€?s captain to take the deftest of touches before slotting home past Joe Bendik. A goal-scorers goal and one Caldwell will rue. Keane struck again three minutes later, finding himself wide open inside the 18 yard box to volley home from an AJ DeLaGarza cross. The non-existent marking was a head-scratcher, with Hagglund and Kyle Bekker merely spectators to Keanea€?s brilliance. The defending after the 25th minute was much better. But against a quality team as such and a natural finisher as Keane, room for error is minimal. And the points were relinquished in a blink of an eye. Defoe Returns a€“ Many believed it wouldna€?t happen. Most predicted the end. The naysayers were wrong. Jermain Defoe returned for Toronto FC, coming on as a 59th minute substitute replacing Daniel Lovitz. It was Defoea€?s first action since August 23rd recovering from a long-standing groin injury. Defoe looked decent in half an hour of action. Hea€?s a constant threat while on the ball. The problem remains he doesna€?t get the ball at his feet nearly enough. The service to Defoe remains erratic and must improve to get the most out of the player. His first touch of the match was a dangerous ball played across the six-yard box that was cleared away from danger. There is no question Toronto is a markedly improved team with Defoe in it. Vanney deciding to give Defoe a run-out while down 2-0 is a positive sign. The manager would have never risked Defoe if he were not entirely confident in the players fitness. Getting some game action was paramount, as Defoe will be relied upon heavily in the final four games. Torontoa€?s next three opponents have shaky backlines, ripe for Defoe to take advantage. Vanney Risk a€“ How much do your trust the new manager? The decision to leave Gilberto at home to rest the Brazilian striker raised many eye-brows. A designated player not featuring in an all-important game with just five matches to go for a team in desperate need of points fits the bill as questionable. Every point is precious, and leaving a player of Gilbertoa€?s quality in Toronto is a calculated risk. Ia€?m in no position to criticize as ita€?s far too premature to know if the decision will pay dividends. A fresh Gilberto is an absolute asset. Cross-country travel takes its toll. And better use the striker in more winnable matches. At least thata€?s the thought process. Give Vanney and the brain-trust credit: ita€?s a gusty decision. If Gilberto stars in the final four games, call it a move of tactical brilliance. If not, criticism will follow. Mark Bloom was likewise rested, nursing a knock (knee). In fairness, Bloom needs the rest, struggling to a degree after returning from an MCL injury suffered in July. Collen Warner and Defoe also started on the bench. There is no question a team with Bekker, Dominic Oduro shifted up front, and Warren Creavalle making a rare start is a weaker side. These decision however cannot be seen as game-altering, especially against the mighty Galaxy. Standard Set a€“ Last weeka€?s win over the Portland Timbers was a feel good moment: beating a team sitting in a playoff spot in a very good Western Conference is no small feat. Being at the level to compete with the Galaxy, the gold standard in MLS is another step yet to be taken altogether. The Galaxy are of the quality Toronto needs to aspire to. It doesna€?t just come through two marquee signings and/or just one off-season of positive changes. Ita€?s a gradual build. The star-power of the likes of Keane, Donovan and Omar Gonzalez is plain to see. Ita€?s squad consistency, players of quality who have been brought through the system who remain with the team for years on end which is key to team success. Los Angelesa€? blueprint under the leadership of Bruce Arena has developed incredible consistency and fluidity within the team. Finding and recognizing talent is paramount to the model. Second year striker and 16 goal scorer Gyasi Zardes is testament to talent recruitment and development. There is a disconnect between the Galaxy approach and the revolving door of players that have set-back Toronto FC season after season. Toronto FCa€?s front office is well aware of this. The Galaxy have the synergy of star power and squad depth Toronto FC will attempt to mirror themselves after. Feast on the East a€“ Toronto FC is done with the Western Conference. Four Eastern Conference games lay ahead (Houston, at New York, Montreal, at New England). That should make Toronto FC supporters very happy a€“ the East is inferior in quality to Western competition. It was mostly a good news weekend elsewhere in the East for TFC. Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Rais Mbohlia€?s mishit clearance in the 92nd minute Thursday gifted the Chicago Firea€?s Robert Earnshaw the ball. The former Toronto FC striker lobbed his effort past the Algerian international for the equalizer, ending in a 1-1 draw, standing as the most important goal he has ever scored to benefit TFC. The Union are a point back of Toronto in seventh with only three games to go. The only negative happening was the New York Red Bulls opening a four-point gap on Toronto with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. New York was dominant Saturday, with Thierry Henrya€?s 10th goal of the season the difference in the win. Good news for Toronto FC however, Tim Cahill was sent off shortly after coming on as a second half substitute. Cahill will miss next weekenda€?s match against Toronto while away on international duty, and will be suspended the following match against Columbus. A significant loss for the Red Bulls. The best news of the weekend was the New England Revolution beating the Columbus Crew 2-1, with Jermaine Jones scoring the winner in back-to-back weeks. The Columbus loss leaves the Crew fifth place in the conference, just three points up on Toronto with the Reds having a game in hand. The Revs are now in second place on 48 points: another positive with Toronto scheduled to play New England the final day of the season. That final meeting may be irrelevant for the Revs, having already clinched their playoff position, playing into Torontoa€?s favour. A positive context and schedule lay ahead for the Reds. Ita€?s a matter of Toronto FC taking advantage. A playoff berth is at stake. Next up for Toronto FC is an all-important home match against the Houston Dynamo Wednesday at 730pm ET on TSN 1, 3, 4, 5. John Smoltz Jersey . He did one better Sunday by holing out a pitching wedge from 142 yards for eagle, capping a remarkable 28 on the back nine to win The Championship at Laguna National. Juan Centeno Red Sox Jersey . -- Jerry Rice Jr. https://www.cheapredsox.com/3061z-mitch-...ey-red-sox.html. The attacking midfielder arrives on a free transfer from Spains Malaga. The 28-year-old joins Scottish striker Kenny Miller and Argentine midfielder Matias Laba as designated players on the Whitecaps roster. Jim Rice Jersey . Beckham says "nothing has been confirmed yet, but its something I am very excited about." He adds that "Miami is something that really excites me because there is a great energy down there. Jim Rice Red Sox Jersey . "I had a pretty good year," the soft-spoken Granberg told TSN.ca with a grin from the teams annual rookie tournament in London. A fourth-round selection in 2010, Granberg is worth keeping an eye on with NHL training camps rolling around in less than a week. The six-foot-two, 200-pound defender may not possess the wow-inspiring theatrics of fellow prospect Morgan Rielly, but nonetheless has a chance to contribute with the Leafs when all is said and done this season.INDIANAPOLIS -- Once Tavon Austin broke free, the Indianapolis Colts couldnt even slow down the rookie, much less catch him. Austin, the first-round draft pick with uncanny speed and unlimited potential, scored on a 98-yard punt return and grabbed two long TD passes Sunday as the St. Louis Rams ended a three-game losing streak with a stunning 38-8 victory over the AFC South-leading Colts. "Ive been patient for eight weeks and, hopefully, its my time right now," Austin said. "I knew the day was going to come. It was just me being patient and me being true to myself and to keep working. Im just glad that I had an opportunity." Nobody did more against Indy (6-3) this season -- or any time recently. Austin returned four punts for 145 yards and scored on touchdown passes of 57 and 81 yards, his only two catches of the day. He also returned one kickoff for 27 yards while making the Colts look foolish all day. Hes the first player with a punt return of 95 yards or more and two 55-yard or longer TDs receiving in a game. Austins one-man show started when he backed up and waved off teammates as Pat McAfees punt sailed deep into Rams territory. But as the Colts moved into position to down the bouncing ball, Austin reached out and dangerously grabbed it at his own 2-yard line. The Colts didnt react immediately, apparently believing the play had stopped, and Austin sprinted down the right sideline, avoided one defender and picked up a block on McAfee and reached the end zone to give the Rams (4-6) a 21-0 lead. Even Rams coach Jeff Fisher couldnt believe it. "I went from saying, Get away, get away, get away, to Go, go, go!" Fisher said. Austin later caught a short pass on a drag route over the middle, turned upfield and avoided two defenders with an inside cut for the 81-yard score. That made it 35-0 -- too big a deficit even for the masterful Andrew Luck to overcome. The Colts just couldnt get a handle on the 5-foot-8, 176-pound receiver who finished with 310 total yards and three TDs. "That was a lot of fun to watch. Tavon, hes lightning in a bottle when he gets the ball in his hands," quarterback Kellen Clemens said. "His performance tonight is certainly going to be one for the books." Clemens went 9 of 16 for 247 yards with two scores and no interceptions, hooking up with Austin on the two longest completions of his eight-yeear NFL career.dddddddddddd His previous long was 56 yards in 2007 with the Jets. The defence was good right from the start, too, opening the game with a strip-sack from Robert Quinn. Chris Long scooped up the loose ball and returned it 45 yards for a score. Until scoring their only touchdown, late in the third quarter, Indy had just 181 yards in offence. Luck was sacked three times and the Rams picked off four passes -- three of them from Luck -- to win for the first time since Sam Bradford went down with a season-ending knee injury Oct. 20. For the Colts, it was a miserable performance. "We just didnt do anything," coach Chuck Pagano said. "I take full responsibility for it as the football coach, we did not have this team ready to play." Luck finished 29 of 47 for 353 yards with one TD, though most of that came after the Colts dug themselves into a 38-0 deficit. Indy ran 14 times for a measly 18 yards, 1.3 yards per carry. The defence couldnt get a handle on Austin or his teammates, resulting in Indys worst loss at Lucas Oil Stadium -- and its worst home loss since San Diego hung a 31-0 shutout at the RCA Dome on Nov. 29, 1993. Robert Mathis did have two sacks to retain the league lead (13 1/2). The loudest cheers, and most tears, came during a halftime ceremony when Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Inocencio surprised his family by stepping out of an SUV in one of the end zones at halftime. His wife, Christin, and children, Dominique and David, ran toward him to give him a hug, drawing both cheers and tears. Inocencio had been serving in Afghanistan. Austin provided the rest of the highlights on a day the Colts would like to forget. "It is what it is, we got our butts kicked, weve got to move on," said Pagano, who will take the Colts to Tennessee on Thursday night. NOTES: Mathis also broke the franchise record for mutli-sack games in a season (six) and has a new single-season career-high, too. ... The Rams played without starting right guard Harvey Dahl (knee) and second tight end Lance Kendricks (broken finger) and lost linebacker James Laurinaitis late in the game with a head laceration. ... Indy had won two straight overall and five straight over NFC opponents before Sunday. ... Indy, which had only six turnovers all year, had four Sunday. ... It was the Rams first regular-season trip to Lucas Oil Stadium. ' ' '