TORONTO - General manager Tim Bezbatchenko sent Toronto FC a blunt message Friday, saying its time "to take it up a notch." The revamped MLS team has had time to gel, he said. Now it has to fire on all cylinders. "I think everyone would agree — the coaches, the players — that over the last 12 or so games, it hasnt been good enough, at least for making a run in MLS," Bezbatchenko told reporters. Toronto (9-8-6) is 3-4-4 since the start of July, meaning it has dropped 20 of a possible 33 points over that stretch. But the team is also 2-1-1 in August, stands third in the Eastern Conference and has been dealing with a rash of injuries. Bezbatchenkos somewhat out-of-the-blue challenge has been made more difficult with news that star striker Jermain Defoe has been sidelined once again with a lingering groin injury. Defoe, who has been hampered by hamstring and groin problems, was substituted in the 77th minute last Saturday against Chicago, with manager Ryan Nelsen saying his movement was extremely limited. He has not trained since and is due to see a specialist. "Fingers crossed its short-term but we probably have to plan for a bit of longer-term," Nelsen said after practice Friday. Defoe, who has 11 goals, has played in 16 of Torontos 23 games. Nelsen says the injury is in the "sports hernia area" — something that sometimes fades with rest or maintenance. "But its not settling down so we have to see a specialist," said Nelsen. "We just await the results." The hope is Defoe will be back for the Sept. 6 home game against Philadelphia but that seemed a best-case scenario with end of September more likely. "The good news is its not a season-ending injury," said Nelsen. "Hopefully sooner than later." "If we go into October and he still has the issue, then I would be concerned," said Bezbatchenko. The MLS season runs through the end of October, with playoffs to follow. Nelsen said Defoes injuries all seem related, after back-to-back seasons in England and North America. Facing a key game Saturday against the visiting New England Revolution (just three points behind at 9-12-3), Toronto is also without defenders Steven Caldwell (quad) and Justin Morrow (hamstring), defender-midfielder Warren Creavalle (hamstring), and forward Andrew Wiedeman (back). Fulback Mark Bloom is expected to be back after the birth of his first child — a baby girl. Bezbatchenkos comments came in a talk with beat writers, a gathering that came at his behest. It came one week after news that MLSE CEO Tim Leiweke, a champion of the soccer team since taking over in April 2013, is leaving. Leiweke will remain at his post until June 30, 2015, or until a successor is appointed. Bezbatchenko, who was hired by Leiweke, praised his bosss passion for soccer and his success in raising the profile of the sport. He suggested everyone may have to take up the slack in Leiwekes absence. "I think there will be increased responsibilities but its more to maintain the level of Id say visibility in the marketplace. I think within MLSE, everyones all in already so I dont think its within the organization, I think its more just in the visibility publicly. "And I think I can do that and I think everyone here, it just takes a little bit more effort from everyone." Does the manager needed to step up, he was asked? "I think its everyone at the club," he said. "I think its myself included, whatever I can do to help the team. I think its the fans ... I think theyve responded really well." While saying the team is "in a good position" in the standings, the GM talked of the need to show a "killer instinct" in the 11 remaining regular-season games. "That means closing out games, managing games," he said. "I think we have the ability on our team to do it." He said 50 points would probably be a target to get into the playoffs, while saying a few less would probably also do the trick. Toronto currently has 33 points. Bezbatchenko said expectations are higher now for Toronto, whose ownership has dug deep into its considerable pockets to acquire star talent like Defoe and Michael Bradley. Asked if he believes his team has underproduced when it comes to killer instinct, Bezbatchenko said the franchise had lacked on that score in past years. "I think now were at an OK level but our standards are not just OK now, were not just trying to be average," he said. "Killer instinct means that we can compete with elite teams at the end of games. So we can better." That includes the injury-ravaged defence, which has given up more goals per game this year than last. "Is it a concern? Yeah, thats a concern," said the GM. "I think that the players would be the first to hold up their hands and say we need to be better ... especially ay the end of games, youve got to do more than just whats expected of yourself. "Weve obviously have shown the ability to be sound and tight defensively. But I think that in the last few games weve lost some of that." Bottom line? "The time is now," Bezbatchenko said. "So thats sort of the message out to our fans and to our club. Its we mean business now." That may come as a surprise to Nelsen, who no doubt has meant business since the start of training camp. The Toronto manager has more pressing concerns, however. It speaks volumes about Toronto injury problems at the back that Bloom may start despite being "sleep-deprived," according to Nelsen, and missing practice Friday. Toronto may start Bloom at left back, with Doneil Henry and Bradley Orr in the centre and rookie Nick Hagglund on the right. Fullback Ashtone Morgan, who has one minute of league play this season, is another option with Brazilian midfielder Jackson, who has seen action as an emergency fullback, also available. Toronto has also recalled defender Ryan Richter from Ottawa Fury FC. Walter Payton Jersey .J. - Trying to learn and absorb the new West Coast offence being installed by new offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants wrapped their final organized team activity Thursday before a three-day mini-camp next week. Devin Hester Jersey . The 24-year-old Raley was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA for Chicago in his first two career starts after being called up from Iowa on Aug. 7. He was optioned to Iowa on Monday after losing 3-0 to Cincinnati in Chicago on Sunday. https://www.bearssportsgoods.com/Womens-...nverted-Jersey/. -- Slugger Jose Abreu, All-Star left-hander Chris Sale and closer Matt Lindstrom are on the disabled list. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Youth Jersey . He made that dream a reality Wednesday night. Olt, who grew up in Branford, Connecticut, attended UConn and made a nearly 2 1-2 hour trek to Boston a handful of times to watch the Red Sox, belted a two-run homer, one of four hit by Cubs in a 16-9 rout that completed a three-game interleague series sweep. Walter Payton Youth Jersey .ca. Hi Kerry, Thursday nights Bruins-Blackhawks game had a goal by Patrice Bergeron initially waved off by the referee, but video review clarified it was a good goal.SAN ANTONIO -- Fans screamed "Go Spurs Go!" in unison at the slightest glimpse of a San Antonio Spurs player or coach floating down the River Walk. It was reminiscent of last season when the Spurs walked off their team charter to those chants, except the tone Wednesday night was much sweeter. The victory parade for Spurs fifth NBA title was part celebration and part exorcism. "It is soaking in, but Im still going to live it up for about the whole summer," NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard said. "(I havent slept) very much. Ive been trying to live the moment. Its been hard to sleep still. Thought I would get some sleep after we won the finals, but Im still celebrating. Go Spurs Go! San Antonio!" After falling 25 seconds shy of capturing the title last season only to fall in seven games to the Miami Heat, the Spurs made another run to the NBA Finals. Except this time, they closed out the Heat in five games for the teams first title since 2007. "I cried (last year). I think the rest of the city cried, too," Spurs fan Rosalinda Gonzalez said. "How they lost, that was bad. It made this years victory even more sweet, sweet. (And) the way we did it. All the games that we won were by a billion points. It was awesome. Great comeback." Given a chance to celebrate what they couldnt last year, Spurs fans endured 90-degree heat to line the River Walk and stand outside of the Alamodome up to five hours before the festivities began. The City of San Antonio estimated about 100,000 people attended the River Walk parade and 75,000 were at the Alamodome. "Weve got to thank the people of San Antonio," said Spurs guard Patty Mills, who served as the events master of ceremonies. "You really make this way more special than it already is. You guys are so genuine and really care about us. Youve embraced all of us as a family." And the fans soaked up the moment as if it was the citys first championship. Even usually cantankerous Spurs coach Gregg Popovich fully embraced the moment, smiling and waving at the crowd as the barge he rode on floated along the River Walk. Popovich raised one finger with a puzzled look before counting off two, three, four and nodding his head when he reached five, raising an outstretched hand to symbolize how many titles the franchise has won. It was Popovich who admitted thee Spurs were "hurting" after losing last seasons finals.dddddddddddd Still, the team was greeted by thousands of cheering fans upon its arrival home following the Game 7 loss to the Heat. "Ill be honest with you, when you saw the crowd the first feeling I had was embarrassment," Popovich said last year. "Was just embarrassed that we didnt get it done and then as you look at them all and they just keep cheering you realize, my gosh, you really felt the love and the way they care for these guys and their team and then it did make it easier." It also was Popovich who implored the team to face the defeat head on and learn from it, and the Spurs certainly did that. The Spurs Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili guided the team to the leagues best regular-season record and to a dominant post-season run after escaping a seven-game series with the Dallas Mavericks. San Antonios combined 70-point winning margin over Miami was the largest in NBA Finals history. "We owe it all to Pop," Ginobili said as his barge made a stop. "He had us playing great basketball at the right time." The Big Three twice received standing ovations from the capacity crowd inside the Alamodome as Duncan celebrated his fifth title and Parker and Ginobili their fourth. "Thats the best thing about them, you can hang with them, you can have jokes with them," Mills said about the Big Three. "They are better people than they are basketballers." Aside from the Big Three, the loudest ovations were for Leonard, who Popovich has called the future face of the Spurs since his arrival via a draft day trade with the Indiana Pacers in 2011. On the Alamodome stage, Mills shared a story of how he asked Leonard which superhero he was going to be for Parkers annual Halloween party. The quiet 22-year-old responded with, "Kawhi Leonard superhero." And Leonard was that in the finals. Leonard had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the series-ending victory Sunday night, becoming the youngest finals MVP since Duncan received the honour at the same age in 1999. The Spurs face an uncertain off-season with up to six possible free agents, but that wasnt even a consideration for the players or the fans Wednesday. After waiting a year, they all got to exhale and celebrate another title. ' ' '