News » homer off Christian Bergman in the fifth tied it.

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). Hakeem Butler Cardinals Jersey .ca. In Sundays Blackhawks-Penguins game, Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik laid a huge hit on Chicagos Jonathan Toews. Now in my view, Orpik can be clearly seen leaving his feet while delivering a moderately high hit. Zach Allen Cardinals Jersey .C. Lions 35-14, was named the CFLs offensive player of the week Tuesday. Sheets recorded his ninth 100-yard rushing performance of the season to tie the Riders club record. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/andy-isabella-cardinals-jersey-dk/ . On Sunday, head coach Patrick Roy said the teams leading scorer will skate at Mondays morning practice and the club will make a decision on his status for Game 6 at that point. Kyler Murray Womens Jersey . Chris Capuano. Shane Greene. And now, Esmil Rogers. Pat Tillman Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers.SAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Barnes isnt a classic power hitter. In fact, neither of the Colorado right fielders two home runs this season even left the park. They did help the Rockies to victories, however, and for that Barnes isnt making any apologies. Barnes hit a two-run, inside-the-park home run in the ninth inning and Colorado rallied for the second straight day to stun the San Francisco Giants 5-4 on Saturday. "Id really like to hit one out so I can jog around the bases to make it easier," said Barnes, who hit his first inside-the-park home run against Arizona on June 5. "I always seem to make it hard on myself. I hit the ball and Im going to run hard until something stops me." Charlie Blackmon singled with two outs off Giants closer Sergio Romo (3-3) before Barnes lined a hit to centre field. San Franciscos Angel Pagan misplayed the ball and it skipped to the fence as Blackmon and Barnes raced around the bases. Barnes, who had a walkoff triple to beat the Dodgers on June 7, had flown out to centre in three consecutive at-bats before helping Colorado extend its winning streak to four games. "My father made the trip up from Anaheim for Fathers day tomorrow and my step-mom and sister were here," Barnes said. "Its special to play in front of them, especially like a day like today." Its the second consecutive blown save and fourth this season for Romo, who gave up five runs in the ninth inning of Fridays 7-4 loss to Colorado. "I dont feel like I could have done much more there," Romo said. "I had two outs, one pitch away again ... and they found a way to stay alive. They got me again. What can I do?" Buster Poseys sacrifice fly in the seventh inning had given the Giants a 4-3 lead. Posey also doubled and homered to finish with a season-high three RBIs -- the most by San Franciscos two-time All-Star in more than 11 months. Hunter Pence hit his ninth home run of the year while Gregor Blanco had three hits for San Francisco. It wasnt enough to prevent the Giants fifth loss in six games. Barnes is the fourth opposing player to hit an inside-the-park home run at AT&T Park. Rex Brothers (3-4) pitched one inning for the win and became the 76th pitcher in history to strike out the side on nine pitches. LaTroy Hawkins worked the ninth for his 13th save, although he had to wait to celebrate. Angel Pagan appeared to ground into a game-ending double play and seveeral Rockies players came out of the dugout to celebrate.ddddddddddddSan Francisco manager Bruce Bochy, who successfully overturned a call earlier in the game, again challenged the ruling. After a brief review, the umpires upheld the original call. "There was talk about the games here and how crazy they are," Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. "It usually comes down to millimeters and milliseconds. Barnes has a tendency to be in the middle of things. Hes been a real clutch player for us." The Giants went into the game with the best record in the majors but were staggering on the heels of four losses in five games. They trailed late in this one, too, before Posey tied it with a two-run homer in the fifth then drove in Pagan with the go-ahead run in the seventh. San Franciscos bullpen couldnt make it hold up. Jean Machi pitched out of a two-on, two-out jam in the eighth before Romo took over in the ninth. The Rockies scored twice off Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong in the second then took a 3-1 lead in the third following back-to-back doubles from Morneau and Josh Rutledge. It could have been worse for Vogelsong, who needed instant replay to get out of a two-out jam in first after Rutledge appeared to leg out an infield single and load the bases. Bochy successfully challenged the call and Rutledge was ruled out to end the inning. Poseys two-run homer off Christian Bergman in the fifth tied it. Bergman lasted six innings in his second major league start. The Rockies rookie allowed eight hits, struck out three and didnt walk a batter. Pence homered off Bergman in the first. NOTES: Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was not in the starting lineup after injuring a toe running to first base on an infield single during the ninth inning of Fridays 7-4 win. Tulowitzki pinch-hit in the ninth and flew out to centre. ... The Rockies also rested C Wilin Rosario after he fouled a ball that ricocheted off the ground and hit him in the face. ... Giants reliever Santiago Casilla (hamstring) could be activated from the disabled list, depending on the outcome of his latest rehab appearance on Saturday. ... LHP Madison Bumgarner (8-4), who pitches the series finale for San Francisco, has a 1.24 ERA over his previous four starts. RHP Juan Nicasio (5-5) takes the mound for Colorado. ... Joe Torre, the executive vice-president of baseball operations for MLB, and California governor Jerry Brown attended the game. ' ' '