Gäste » Thomas Heurtauxs shirt in the box and Luis Muriel

TORONTO - While England seems destined for "massive change" in the wake of its failed World Cup campaign, Jermain Defoe says he can still contribute goals to the national cause. "Ill never turn my back on my country," the Toronto FC striker told reporters after training Wednesday. "Like I mentioned before I still feel like Ive got a lot to offer. If I didnt feel that way, Id say theres no point because youre not doing anyone any favours if youre sort of like being selfish (and) you havent got much to offer. "But I still feel strong, I feel sharp. So hopefully at some point Ill get called up (again). How I feel at the minute, Im still ready to play and score goals for my country." The 31-year-old Defoe, who has 19 goals in 55 appearances for his country, was named to Englands 30-man World Cup roster but did not make the final 23. At the time, he said he was devastated by the snub. England (0-2-1) finished last in Group D behind Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy, managing to score just two goals. "Spain are out, Italy are out," Defoe said. "Some big nations are out but obviously it would have been nice to see (England) progress to the later stage of the tournament. But it wasnt meant to be. A lot of young players, they still have opportunities again to play in tournaments and Im sure theyll do well. But this year it wasnt meant to be. It was a tough group." England captain Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Frank Lampard have said they will take some time to ponder their international future. Veteran fullback Ashley Cole opted to retire prior to the tournament. Veteran midfielder Michael Carrick was also left out of the England squad. "I think its a change," Defoe said, "because obviously theres so many young players coming through — good young players. Obviously theyre inexperienced but theyll get experience with games and I suppose thats what the manager wanted to do when he left me out, Michael Carrick, Ashley Cole, he wanted to go with the younger players. "Hopefully theyll do well but its going to be a massive change ... but well see what happens." Meanwhile, Defoe said he did not take offence at former manager Harry Redknapp saying some of his England players at Spurs had tried to shirk national team duty. Current England manager Roy Hodgson and Gerrard both said Defoe should not be tarred with that brush. "Its difficult for me (to react) because Im not one those players," said Defoe. "Ive never missed a squad and obviously I dont know who those players are. At the end of the day, when youre playing for your country, its the greatest honour ... I always turned out for my country, even if I was half fit." Gerrard urged Redknapp to name names but the veteran manager, who now runs Queens Park Rangers, said it would not be fair to the players in question. Defoe was one of a dozen England players at Tottenham during Redknapps tenure. Toronto manager Ryan Nelsen, a former New Zealand international who played under Redknapp, said he thought the comments might have been taken somewhat out of context. Nelsen, who captained the All Whites, said he would be outraged if anyone suggested he didnt love playing for his country. But he said theres give and take when it comes to club versus country, acknowledging he had asked not to be picked for some friendlies when they were largely commercial ventures on the other side of the globe and they bumped heads with major club clashes. While he had hoped to be playing in Brazil, Defoe welcomed the MLS break during the group stage of the World Cup. Toronto gave its players eight days off following the 1-0 win over San Jose on June 7. Still he admitted to having "itchy feet," wanting to get back to playing. Toronto (6-4-1) returns to action Friday in New York against the Red Bulls (4-5-6). Nelsens only injury concerns are winger Daniel Lovitz (concussion) and Brazilian striker Gilberto (hip flexor). Marco Fabian Mexico Jersey . -- Canada played to expectation up until halftime. Raul Jimenez Mexico Jersey . Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse will reunite at this weekends season-opening World Cup at Canada Olympic Park as they begin their buildup to the Winter Games in Sochi. http://www.nationalsoccermexico.com/javier-hernandez-mexico-jersey/ . Johansen scored twice and Derek MacKenzie, Brandon Dubinsky and Cam Atkinson also had goals to lead the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, ending a three-game losing skid. Jonathan dos Santos Mexico Jersey . Webb birdied the 18th hole to take the outright lead, then watched as Choi, who shot a course-record 62 on Saturday to take a share of the third-round lead, pushed a 10-foot putt wide of the hole at 18 to miss the chance for a playoff. Carlos Vela Jersey .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.Juventus eased to a 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Chievo Verona in Serie A as its remarkable home record continued on Sunday. Juventus, which has now won all 12 of its home league matches this season, remained nine points clear of Roma, which beat Sampdoria 3-0 in the days late kickoff and has a game in hand. It was coach Antonio Contes 100th match in charge. Kwadwo Asamoah, Claudio Marchisio and Fernando Llorente scored for Juventus, which conceded a comical own goal. "Its tough to be aggressive for the entire 95 minutes," Conte said. "But we cant allow ourselves to let up during this particular period. The minute our attention levels drop for a second, everything happens. "Its not easy for anyone to win for three years in a row, but these lads are doing just that. Everyone has surprised me in a positive manner, and I hope they keep doing so." Napoli remained four points behind Roma after beating lowly Sassuolo 2-0. "We created several chances to score, I cant be anything other than happy," Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said. "I never talk about individuals, but I see (Marek) Hamsik is improving game after game." Earlier, Catania pulled off a surprise 3-1 victory over Lazio to move off bottom spot. Also, it was: Genoa 3, Udinese 3; Atalanta 0, Parma 4; and Cagliari 1, Livorno 2. Juventus took the lead in the 18th minute when Asamoah curled a powerful effort into the far side of goal from just outside the area. The Serie A leader doubled its advantage 11 minutes later. Chievo goalkeeper Michael Agazzi did well to parry Andrea Pirlos free kick but Marchisio was on hand to net the rebound. Juventus had squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at promoted Hellas Verona last week and it risked falling foul of another Verona team after a sluggish start to the second half. Chievo pulled one back six minutes after the break as Stephan Lichtsteiners attempted clearance ricocheted off teammate Martin Caceres and into the back of the net. However, Llorente sealed the match in the 58th when he headed home Pirlos corner. Juventus has scored three or more goals in all but one of its past nine home matches. Roma kept up the pressure on Juventus with a comfortable victory in the evening match. Two sections of the Stadio Olimppico were closed in the first of a two-match punishment following anti-Neapolitan chants by Romas fans during an Italian Cup match earlier in the month.dddddddddddd Mattia Destro scored twice, either side of Miralem Pjanics stunning 30-meter free kick. With his side three goals down, Sampdoria defender Daniele Gastaldello was sent off 10 minutes from time after a second booking. Napoli maintained its bid for a Champions League berth with a comfortable win at Sassuolo. Blerim Dzemaili broke the deadlock in the 37th minute after a series of fine saves from Sassuolo goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo. Lorenzo Insigne scored 10 minutes after halftime when he raced into the area and curled a shot into the far right of goal. Dzemaili also hit the crossbar late on. It was coach Francesco Guidolins 172nd Serie A game in charge of Udinese, matching the club record set by Giuseppe Bigogno, and he looked set to celebrate with victory after two goals in quick succession from Dusan Basta and Bruno Fernandes Moussa Konate reduced the deficit on the stroke of halftime but Udinese restored its two-goal advantage immediately after the break when Nicolas Burdisso tugged Thomas Heurtauxs shirt in the box and Luis Muriel converted the resulting penalty. A brace from Alberto Gilardino saw Genoa rescue a point. Catania had won only one of its previous 12 matches and started the day bottom of the table. However, it got off to the best possible start when Mariano Izco volleyed in off the inside of the right post after just 41 seconds. Stefano Mauri was making his first start since May following a ban for his role in a match-fixing scandal. The Lazio captain headed his team level in first-half stoppage time. Nicolas Spolli headed Catania back in front immediately after halftime and Gino Peruzzi sealed the result in the 58th minute. The relegation battle between Cagliari and Livorno burst into life a minute before halftime with a stunning strike from Emerson which swerved into the top corner from 40 metres. Tempers flared towards the end and Cagliari captain Daniele Conti was sent off for insulting the referee. Livorno ended the match in nine men after Federico Ceccherini was dismissed for two yellow cards and Marco Benassi saw red for a poor challenge on Mauricio Pinilla. ' ' '