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. Cheap Saucony Shoes Outlet Free Shipping . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. China Saucony Shoes Outlet . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. http://www.sauconyoutletonline.com/ . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Saucony Shoes Outlet Online . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Sale Saucony Shoes Outlet . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen has gone from the hot seat to leading West Virginia to a sizzling start to the season.No. 12 West Virginia (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) is a surprising early contender in the conference after being tapped in the preseason to finish seventh.Im excited where were at, Holgorsen said. But its just five games. Weve got seven more important ones coming up.Faced with plenty of questions about his own job security entering 2016, Holgorsen has put together strong performances -- and had some good luck along the way.Kansas State missed a late field goal in a tight game earlier this month, and BYU nearly rallied from 16 points down in the fourth quarter but turned the ball over on its final drive near West Virginias end zone.A confidence boost came with West Virginias 48-17 dismantling of high-scoring Texas Tech on the road last Saturday. The celebration was limited to the two-plus hour plane ride home before preparations started for Saturdays home game with TCU (4-2, 2-1).You get over it real quick, Holgorsen said. Its pretty much you settle in and get back to work. This is our hardest game yet.To be determined: Whether his players heed his word about staying focused.It didnt work in 2012, when West Virginia started 5-0 and rose to No. 5 before its first full Big 12 season took a toll. West Virginia lost the next five games.I dont think anybody truly knows that answer until we go through it. And you all are thinking 2012. I know you all are, Holgorsen said. This is a totally different team.I think this team is a good group of kids that like each other and like playing the game. And they didnt listen when everybody was saying we sucked, and theyre not going to listen when everybody is saying were good. Its pretty much as simple as that.Win or lose, his players say Holgorsen has remained consistent with his perfectionist approach.Hes always going to be fired up, linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton said. Hes allways going to be one of those guys that will get in your face if you arent doing exactly what you need to do.dddddddddddd From the first game to the last game, he wont let up. He just wants to see you getting better and better each week.Holgorsens schemes certainly have changed.Holgorsen comes from the Air Raid coaching tree that included Hal Mumme at Iowa Wesleyan and later under Mike Leach at Texas Tech. But rather than relying on a passing attack, Holgorsen understood the need to evolve his running game, too.Wendell Smallwood was the Big 12 rushing champion a year ago. West Virginia now runs the ball 54 percent of the time. Quarterback Skyler Howard has shown hes dangerous with both his arm and his feet.On defense, Holgorsen has made it a greater priority to recruit junior college players and other transfers who can step right away. Despite having nine new starters this season, most of them are seniors.Holgorsen went 10-3 and won the Orange Bowl in his first season in 2011, then signed a six-year contract extension -- his last one -- in August 2012. But Holgorsen went 26-25 the next four seasons.Athletic director Shane Lyons told Holgorsen last December he could keep his job. Lyons later said no further contract discussions would be held until after the 2016 season.Lyons reiterated that point again this week. He did say the Texas Tech win accelerated the teams momentum.Thats what you want, you want to build your confidence, Lyons said. Thats what Dana and his staff have done.TCU coach Gary Patterson said hes noticed the Mountaineers have got a lot of energy and theyve got a lot of positive on their side right now.Its been fun watching them. Dana has done a great job. The kids are playing hard, Patterson said. Youve got to be able to go match that.---AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '