Forenspiele » the Panthers, who have lost four of their last five games

TORONTO -- Defensive help is on the way to Toronto FC, in the form of a new assistant coach. Manager Greg Vanney says he is adding a coach who was one of his mentors when it came to defending. "Obviously we have a lot of young defenders who are talented but they need to progress," Vanney said after practice Wednesday. "Hopefully hell be in Sunday or Monday of next week "Hell really really start to push on our defensive group. But hes also been around the game long enough that he understands both sides of the ball. But I really want us to shore up our defensive backline. And then I think we have the quality in attack where we can make a difference." He declined to identify the coach until everything was finalized. Vanney also had good news on the Jermain Defoe front, saying the injured striker could be back in town earlier than the original Sept. 20 date to continue his rehab from a groin injury. There is no word on when Defoe, who is currently in England, might return to action, however. The 31-year-old striker has missed nine games this season (eight through injury and one by suspension) but still leads Toronto in scoring with 11 goals. Toronto (9-11-6) hopes to end a three-game losing and goalless streak when it visits the Chicago Fire (5-7-14) on Saturday. Toronto has won just three of its last 15 games (3-7-5) and fell from fourth to seventh last weekend in the Eastern Conference standings. The top five make the playoffs. Going into play Wednesday, Toronto ranked 14th in the league in goals-against (1.62 per game). Injuries, suspension and lack of depth have cost the team in defence with centre back Steven Caldwell and fullbacks Justin Morrow and Mark Bloom missing 21 games between them. That has forced others to play out of position and put youngsters Doneil Henry and Nick Hagglund in the firing line. Torontos training room is beginning to empty -- the team has lost players to injury for a combined 82 games this season -- but still has work to do. Caldwell (quad) is progressing but still "very questionable" for the weekend, Vanney said. Midfielder Jonathan Osorio (leg muscle) was described as day to day. Defender-midfielder Bradley Orr (toe) did not take part in practice with the main squad Wednesday but is expected to be available this weekend. Vanney said the team is looking at shifting fullback Justin Morrow to centre back with Caldwell and Bradley Orr both nursing injuries. "Its definitely something that weve talked about," said Vanney. "Its not his natural position but obviously hes done it in the past a little bit. Its definitely something thats crossed our mind and we thought about it. I cant say weve made a decision either way but its definitely an option." In the part of practice open to reporters Wednesday, Bloom and Warren Creavalle played fullback in an attacking drill. As for adding a new player, Vanney said "if its the right fit were definitely looking. But nothings been determined yet." With the international transfer window closed, Toronto would have to acquire new talent via an MLS trade or look for a player out of contract. Cheap Knicks Jerseys Authentic . -- Creighton apparently has Villanovas number. Joakim Noah Jersey . The Mets made the announcement Sunday night. Parnell blew a save on opening day against Washington and the next day it was revealed he had partially torn right elbow ligament. http://www.cheapknicksjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-kevin-knox-jersey . The 7-foot-1 Hawes, who is in the final year of his contract, is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds, both career highs, and shoots 40 per cent from 3-point range. The 25-year-old Hawes is in his seventh NBA season. Anthony Mason Jersey . - All-Pro quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked spry enough in pregame warmups Sunday for Green Bays divisional playoff game against Dallas. Mario Hezonja Jersey . Algeria led 3-0 at halftime, but withstood a stronger South Korean second half performance to claim its first World Cup win since 1982 and move into second place in Group H with one match left to play. Defeat for South Korea means it must now beat already-qualified Belgium to stand a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.(SportsNetwork.com) - The surging Montreal Canadiens will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Florida Panthers for Saturdays clash at BB&T Center. Listen to the action live on TSN Radio 690. The Canadiens have boosted their standing in the Eastern Conference playoff picture lately, winning four straight and seven of their last eight games. Another victory on Saturday would match Montreals five-game tear from Nov, 30-Dec. 7 for its longest winning streak of the season. Montreal leads Tampa Bay by two points for second place in the Atlantic Division with the top three teams from each division earning automatic bids to the playoffs. The Lightning, who visit Buffalo on Saturday, do hold a game in hand over the Habs. Tomas Plekanec did not make the trip to Florida. With Boston close to clinching the division title and Tampa Bay nine points ahead of fourth-place Toronto, it seems likely the Canadiens and Lightning will face each other in the opening round of the playoffs. The teams finishing second and third in each division will face each other in the first round. The Habs last played on Thursday when they pulled out a 5-4 regulation win in Detroit. Max Pacioretty and Thomas Vanek each scored during a wild third period to help Montreal down the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. The Canadiens held a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes only to see Detroit even the score on two goals from Tomas Tatar in the first 4:30 of the third period. However, Pacioretty gave the lead back to Montreal at 5:48 of the third and Vanek made it 5-3 with 8:45 remaining in the period. Detroits Johan Franzen tallied 21 seconds after Vanek, but the Red Wings were unable to get even after that. Vanek added a pair of assists and Tomas Plekanec potted a pair of early goals for the Canadiens. David Desharnais had a goal and an assist, while Carey Price survived the three-goal outburst by the Red Wings in the final frame during a 26-savee effort.dddddddddddd "The second and third periods werent good at all. We got lucky that we found a way to win," Plekanec said. Thursdays test marked the start of a four-game road trip for Montreal, which improved to 21-14-2 as the away team this season. Florida is ranked 15th out of 16 teams in the Eastern Conference and is about to miss the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 seasons. The Panthers have lost four of their last five games and were held to one goal or less for the third time during that stretch after Thursdays 3-0 home loss against Carolina. Jiri Tlusty tallied twice and Anton Khudobin posted a 35- save shutout to help the Hurricanes down Florida at BB&T Center. Roberto Luongo started in net for Florida and stopped 11-of-12 shots in the first period, but the veteran netminder was forced to leave the contest prior to the start of the second after being run over by Carolinas Radek Dvorak with just over seven minutes left in the opening frame. Dan Ellis recorded 18 saves in relief for the Panthers, who have lost four of their last five games. Luongo will miss Saturdays game with an upper-body injury, leaving Ellis to make his third start of the season tonight since being acquired from the Dallas Stars. "Its never a fun situation because you know your partner, something might not be good with him," Ellis said of coming on in relief of an injured Luongo. "But thats the job and you have to be ready when they call you." Florida is 14-16-5 as the home club this season and is completing a three-game stay in Sunrise. The Panthers will then play their next two tests on the road before finishing the regular season on a five-game homestand. The Panthers are 2-1-0 against Montreal this season, but the Habs won the last encounter when it posted a 2-1 home victory on Jan. 6. The Canadiens have won four of six overall in the series, but Florida is 3-1-1 in the last five encounters at BB&T Center. ' ' '