TORONTO -- Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen says newly acquired midfielder Michael Thomas brings versatility to his MLS club. A motivated Thomas says you can add work ethic to that list. "Im happy to be somewhere where I think Ill get a lot of opportunities and chances to prove myself," a sweat-drenched Thomas said after his first practice with Toronto on Thursday. "It wasnt happening in Kansas City at the time so Im happy to be at a place where were starting to turn things around." The 25-year-old Thomas signed with his hometown club in January 2012 but only appeared in seven MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City. Toronto gave up a second-round pick in the 2015 draft to get him. "The past year and a half has been a little bit frustrating," he acknowledged. "Not playing as much as I would like to. To come somewhere where you know youre wanted really brings a lot of confidence back. I cant wait to get out there and really prove myself." The five-foot-10, 170 pounder describes himself as a centre midfielder, although he has also played centre back. "I consider myself a workhorse in the middle, a two-way midfielder. I can contribute offensively, score goals, get assists, but love to work hard and get back defensively as well. Ive always been complimented about my work ethic and thats what Im going to bring to the table every day. I work my tail off." Thomas was drafted 19th overall by San Jose in the 2010 SuperDraft but elected to follow his dream and sign overseas with Swedish first division team Halmstads BK before moving to fellow Swedish side Ljungskile SK some six months later. "It was a risk but I was willing to take it," he said. "It was a great experience, great country," he said of his two years in Sweden. "The calibre of play is very good too. Its more of an aggressive league and direct, but to be able to get over there, play some games and get some experience at a young age was something that was very good for me." Ready for a new challenge, he relished a chance to sign with a Sporting Kansas City team on the rise. He grew up in Olathe, some 20 minutes outside Kansas City. The move also reunited him with former Fighting Irish and local club teammate Matt Besler. "At the time it was a dream come true," he said. He leaves "with all the respect in the world" for Sporting Kansas City, he said. The team seems to share that opinion of him. "Michael has an incredible attitude and work ethic while he was here," KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. "The decision was of mutual consent. Toronto is a team that was very interested in him and we wish him all the best with the opportunity." Thomas came to Torontos attention via Notre Dame coach Bobby Clark, who knows Torontos coaching staff and has used TFCs training ground. Thomas scored 19 goals and added 13 assists in 81 starts at Notre Dame. He went to South Bend after helping his high school team to three state titles. Thomas, whose salary is listed at US$60,713 this season, will wear No. 18 at TFC. He wore No. 8 at high school and college and was No. 1 at his local club team growing up. He combined that to be No 18 professionally although he took 88 (the year he was born) in Kansas City because No. 18 was already taken. NOTES -- The days of midfielder Terry Dunfield are indeed over at Toronto. The club has replaced a large photo of the Canadian international, who was cut in mid-June, at its training centre with one of Argentine midfielder Matias Laba. Nike Air Max Shoes Wholesale China . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Cheap Air Max Wholesale . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. http://www.cheapairmaxchina.com/ . Haas said he "felt a lot of pain" in his right shoulder when he slammed his racket to the ground in frustration after losing his serve at 3-3 in the first set. Cheap Air Max For Sale . PETERSBURG, Fla. Air Max Cheap China . Aaron Harrison scored a 22 points for Kentucky (6-1), which has won four in a row following a Nov. 12 loss to current No. 1 Michigan State. Julius Randle overcame a scoreless first half and added his sixth double-double in as many games with 14 points and 10 rebounds.TORONTO -- For the second time in as many games, a big fourth quarter saved the day for Canada. While Brady Heslip broke the game open in Thursdays victory over Jamaica, Andy Rautins got in on the action Saturday, scoring eight of his 11 points in the final quarter. Rautins came up big as Canada stormed back from a 17-point deficit to defeat Jamaica 77-72 and complete a sweep of the Jack Donohue International Classic. "As a leader on the team, as an older veteran a guy on the team, thats the role I need to play," Rautins said. "To bring that energy, to bring that shooting. Thats what we did tonight and we gutted it out and got a great win." Desperate for scoring in the fourth quarter, head coach Jay Triano paired Rautins with Brady Heslip in hopes of stretching the floor with two shooters in the lineup. It paid off. "Andys a scorer and we needed points," Triano said. "We had planned before this game on not playing him in the first half, we needed to look at other guys, but in the second half we knew that if they played zone wed need those two guys." Playing without Samardo Samuels, who missed the game with a tweaked hamstring, Jamaica looked like a different team than Thursdays iteration. The visitors connected from beyond the arc early and exposed Canadas lack of shooters on the floor. Leading 26-25 after the opening quarter, Jamaica stretched its lead to 49-37 at the half after making eight of 11 attempts from deep before halftime. "I give them a lot of credit, they shot the ball extremely welll in the first half," Triano said.dddddddddddd "Our defence held them to nine 1/8points 3/8 in the fourth quarter. We clamped down at the end when we had to and thats what were trying to do, we just need to do it from the beginning of the game." Veterans Levon Kendall and Jermaine Anderson helped Canada trim the deficit to nine at the end of three quarters. Thompson, who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers and was named player of the game, scored his 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting. He also had 10 rebounds. "Its huge," Rautins said of Thompsons impact. "Offensive rebounding is huge for him. Its what he does. He makes a lot of money doing that. Were going to need him to do that for us game in and game out. Hes done a great job of improving his hook game. Even switching to his right hand, hes still knocking down shots." The game was intense from the opening tip and players let the officials know their thoughts on the non-calls as the game wore on. While it is an adjustment for NBA players like Thompson, Cory Joseph and Andrew Nicholson to get used to the officiating in the international game, veterans with experience abroad spent their time on the sidelines encouraging their teammates from the bench. "Having played in the NBA, having played overseas, its like a different world," Rautins explained. "The international game, its like another world. Its almost like a rugby match out there." Patrick Ewing Jr. led the way for Jamaica, scoring a game-high 20 points in the loss. Cheap Authentic Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys China NFL Hoodies Cheap Authentic Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys China Camo China NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China ' ' '