Bring on the bye week. Pittsburgh Pirates Store . It was a difficult Saturday night in Dallas for Toronto FC in a 2-1 loss against the Western Conference best. It was always going to be a tricky test with seven regulars out through injury against one of the top sides in Major League Soccer. Selection is an issue when three goalkeepers dress to fill out an 18-man roster. The return of team leader Michael Bradley to the starting XI and a 21st minute go-ahead goal by Issey Nakajima-Farran gave hope a negative script could be flipped in favour of the visitors. Encouraging plays came few and far between after with TFC failing to cope with sustained FC Dallas pressure and countless set pieces, while reliance on the counterattack didnt come off as planned. The scoreline flattered Toronto FC on the day, even though the points were still up for grabs until late. A goal-line scare for FC Dallas, a non-penalty call and the frustration of breaking down a stubborn TFC back-line all suggested Toronto FC would escape north Texas with a point. Hard work alone wasnt sufficient with Blas Perez 88th-minute-winner the difference. There werent many positives coming out of this one. The performance would have been a good one if this were a Toronto FC of previous seasons. The bar has been raised. Progress towards a consistent brand of attacking football, while giving some kind of regular respite to an under pressure back-line is sorely needed. The bye-week ahead gives ample time to work on system and, most importantly, for the team to get healthy. Manager Ryan Nelsen said pre-game he was happy with nine points through the opening matches, especially considering his new look side still growing familiar with one another amidst unforeseen selection issues due to injury. Toronto remains third in the Eastern Conference, only two points back of joint-leaders Sporting Kansas City and the Columbus Crew, despite an incredibly difficult schedule playing six teams, all in the top four in both conferences. Playing without star striker Jermain Defoe for the last three games makes their current standing that much more impressive.Without further ado, my 5 Thoughts on Torontos FCs 2-1 loss at FC Dallas: 1. Gilberto goes down... - The TSN Turning Point was the call that didnt happen. In the 75th minute with the game tied 1-1, a Jonathan Osorio long ball played Gilberto behind the back line. The Brazilian was on the ball with a clear line on goal before pushed from behind by Kellyn Acosta. The FC Dallas defenders arm was fully extended, clear evidence of the foul, yet neither match official Jorge Gonzalez or his linesman were close or comfortable enough to make the call. Both referees were out of position, trying to catch up to the play. The replay showed Gonzalez had proper sightlines of the incident, but the referee didnt have the bravery to make a vital call. There is no excuse for Gonzalez here - a penalty had to be given. Inconsistent MLS officiating remains a frustration to many and Nelsen had every right to speak his mind post-match – the non-call was an embarrassment. How many more managers will need be fined and, likewise, how many more disenchanted supporters will it take before sustained improvement in MLS officiating is achieved? Theres no question FC Dallas was the better side on the night, but theres also no question that the missed call cost Toronto FC a point, too. 2. … And down goes Gilbertos head – Its been a slow start to Gilbertos MLS career. No goals through five games for the young designated player and very little consistency in his play. The Brazilian was a largely a mystery before signing for TFC and remains so now. What we do know is Gilberto is hard worker with a solid MLS body. His tireless effort putting pressure on the ball and aerial ability are desirable assets. What we dont know, though, is whether he can be a reliable finisher and what his abilities are on the ball. A lack of proper service and attacking build-up has turned Gilberto into an attacking player forced to chase the game and play the role of disruptor. This is hardly the ideal way to acclimate a new player, learning a new league, let alone the language. For the first time this season, Gilberto showed visible frustration by the play around him. He wasnt on the same page with his teammates all night long. He certainly wasnt a match with Osorio up front. The Canadian international is uncomfortable with playing back-to-goal and needs to play a deeper role. As for Gilberto, at one point he got into an exchange with his countryman Jackson after a missed opportunity. His head dropped and the player sauntered back into position for the next five minutes instead of his usual motivated efforts. Its all-important for Nelsen to keep Gilbertos head in the right place, keep him inspired and find ways to bring him into the game. Playing off Defoe, who looks set to return after the bye-week, will help. Designated Player spots are all important in MLS. Big money and a special designation dont allow for much wiggle room in the form of a DP. They simply must produce. Its too early to tell what may come of Gilberto in MLS. All thats certain is he needs to be better. 3. Possession problems – Toronto FC was dominated in possession for the sixth game out of six. FC Dallas, a very good team, worked Toronto to the tune of 61 per cent on the ball and TFC cannot afford to continue to chase the game as they have. It starts at the back. Far too often, the backline is “playing it safe”, clearing the ball rather than trying to keep possession. TFC playing so compact defensively is a double-edged sword - Limiting the passing channels and loading the box have made Toronto terribly difficult to break down, but the problem becomes that the team is falling so deep, there is a lack of balance on the field to get out on attack. The counterattack is only working when their opponents over-commit. TFC needs better rotation and movement from the breakout from their central midfielders and outside wing-backs. FC Dallas worked it to perfection with the wing-back players active getting forward and rotation and support from two tiers in the centre of midfield. FC Dallas had a club record 16 corner kicks Saturday. Sustained pressure put TFC in vulnerable positions with both goals coming from set pieces. The fluidity of the home side was impressive - the transformation swift and pointed by new head coach Oscar Pareja. The short-term counter attack approach has been used by Nelsen out of necessity and can work to a certain degree with the dangerous Defoe on the prowl up front, when fit. Long-term, this tactic will not work. TFC will have to evolve from strictly a counterattack team to one that can build out of the back. 4. Hamstrung by hamstrings – The injury list continues to run long and deep at TFC. Three players missed through hamstring strains Saturday, with Osorio returning from a similar injury. Thigh and calf strains have also been an issue. The reason for so many similar injuries is not known, but is disturbing. Training and playing on a number of different surfaces to start the season is an obvious contributing factor. The wear and tear created by turf cannot be understated, no matter how good an artificial surface you play on. Training methods and physiotherapy techniques will also be closely watched with so many similar injury issues. TFC has wisely proceeded with caution with these hamstring issues, electing to rest players rather than play them and risking further longer-term injury. The MLS season is a marathon. The club taking a long view is a good thing. A limited roster meant for more of a 4-4-1-1 formation Saturday, which simply didnt work. Osorio was often drawn out of position and the attacking formation suffered. There is nothing wrong with a 4-4-2, so long as Nelsen has the players to play the system while staying disciplined in balance on the field. 5. ‘A for Effort – Nothing negative can be said of Toronto FCs workrate through the first month-and-a-half of the season. Nelsen has his team playing in the mold that he did as a player - fully committed and absolutely resilient in compete mode. Its a testament to the effort Toronto FC were mere minutes away from gaining a point in a game they were outplayed. The high pressure on the ball has been an asset and will continue to be. Toronto FC is no longer an easy team to play against. The role of the manager is more than just sending out a formation and changing tactics. A proper manager needs to be a leader and motivator. Theres no question this group plays for Nelsen. As the team gets healthy, Nelsens challenge will be how to get the most out of his roster from a team perspective. Thus far, the initial response among new players impresses and bodes well for further growth over the long run. Next up for Toronto FC is a date with the New England Revolution (2-2-3) May 3rd at BMO Field Fake Pirates Jerseys . Stevenson scored the first three goals of the game in the first period for Regina (35-22-6), which has won eight of its last 10 games. Patrick DAmico added two for the Pats, Braden Christoffer had a single and Morgan Klimchuk chipped in a goal and four assists. Pittsburgh Pirates Gear . Of course that doesnt mean hes ignoring it. Thats actually rather impossible given the behind-the-scenes access to the Toronto Maple Leafs the network is getting. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . Russia has spent about $51 billion to deliver the Sochi Olympics, which run Feb. 7-23, making them the most expensive games ever, even though as a winter event it hosts many fewer athletes than summer games do.SOELDEN, Austria - If skiings opening weekend was any indication, the United States is in for quite an Olympic season. Ted Ligety, Mikaela Shiffrin, Bode Miller and Tim Jitloff underlined the squads enormous potential on the Rettenbach glacier in Austria. "Im really happy with how things are going," U.S. Alpine director Patrick Riml said. "The coaches and staff did an unbelievable job getting the athletes ready." And with Lindsey Vonn planning to return in a month from right knee surgery and Julia Mancuso always a threat on a big stage, the Americans could surpass their eight medals from the 2010 Vancouver Olympics at the Sochi Games, which run Feb. 7-23. "Everything is going on track," Riml said. "Im feeling confident with our whole setup." Ligety won the opening giant slalom for the third consecutive year. The 18-year-old Shiffrin matched her career-best World Cup result in the discipline with a sixth-place finish. Miller marked his return from 20 months off by placing 19th after starting outside the top 30. Jitloff was 20th with one big error that probably cost him about 10 positions. Perhaps the only negative note was Mancuso finishing 27th. But Mancuso always seems to save her best for major championships, as evidenced by her gold medal in giant slalom at the 2006 Turin Games and two silvers in Vancouver. "Julia is always showing she does well at the big events," former U.S. mens head coach Phil McNichol said. "Lindsey is Lindsey. Ted is coming off three (gold) medals at the world championships. Bodes back in the mix. Mikaela is going to be a force to be reckoned with. So its going to be a very interesting Olympic cycle." Ligety dominated giant slalom last season, winning six of eight races on the World Cup plus the world championship race in Schladming, Austria, where he was also a surprise winner in super-G and super-combined. "Last year we had an awesome prep here but this year was less so, so I wasnt 100 per cent confident of how I was skiing," Ligety said. "But then we had good training here in Soelden and the last couple of weeks I started to feel a little better. Its nice to have some confirmation." Ligety is enjoying having his childhood friend and former junior world downhill champion Adam Cole on the coaching staff this season. "We grew up together," Ligety said. "Hes also young and athletic so he can do dry-land with us and we can go play other sports and push each other." Shiffrin dominated in slalom last season with four wins plus the world title and now looks like a two-event threat with her giant slalom vastly improved. After the Olympics, Shiffrin could expand into the speed events. Shiffrin is also maturing off the hilll. Pittsburgh Pirates Pro Shop. Her mother, who has accompanied her in Europe for the past two seasons, said this is probably the last season shell be there. "I may not have to stay here as she keeps getting more and more comfortable," Eileen Shiffrin said. Shiffrin has improved so much in GS that she was beating male teammates in training the past couple of weeks. Which guys was she beating? Thats still a secret. "Shiffrin was skiing unbelievably fast," mens head coach Sasha Rearick said. "Im not going to tell you." As for the 36-year-old Miller — yes, hes twice Shiffrins age — his new slimmer frame appears to be paying off. The two-time overall World Cup winner lost nearly 30 pounds during his season off to recover from left knee surgery. Miller skied to 13th place with the No. 32 bib in the opening run and was able to hang on in the second leg. "I wasnt tired at all," Miller said. "I think my fitness is higher now for a World Cup than its ever been. Im snappy and springy and I can go as long as the courses are. ... Theres obviously some lack of inertia, some weight, but I dont think thats going to be an issue." If Miller already has his form back in giant slalom, he could really excel in the speed events of downhill and super-G, where hes had nearly all of his wins in recent years. "GS was the one event where we hadnt been able to put the most volume in because it was causing some more knee irritation," Rearick said. "So if hes been able to do what hes done this week, its beyond my expectations." Millers fitness should also get a boost from the speed teams newly hired conditioning coach, Tony Beretzki, an Austrian who once worked with Hermann Maier and Stephan Eberharter and spent the last four years with the Spartak Moscow soccer team. With Miller out last season, downhillers Marco Sullivan, Steven Nyman and Travis Ganong each had solid starts, but their conditioning dropped off around January. "He has brought a great, great program and is doing an awesome job," Rearick said. The womens speed team, meanwhile, is coming off a record-breaking season that included podium finishes not just for Vonn and Mancuso, but also for Stacey Cook, Alice McKennis, Leanne Smith and Laurenne Ross. The bar of expectations has been raised for Cook & Co. this season. "You definitely want to back up those results," womens head coach Alex Hoedlmoser said. "You want to be contenders with all of those girls on a regular basis." The speed teams dont race until events in Lake Louise, Alberta, and Beaver Creek, Colo., on Thanksgiving weekend. Next up are slaloms in Levi, Finland, Nov. 16-17. ___ Follow Andrew Dampf at http://twitter.com/asdampf ' ' '