We faced them in the opening game of the campaign, they surprised us with how quickly they got into the tempo of the Premier League, how well organised Quique Sanchez Flores had the team,

TORONTO -- There are no denials of interest, but Toronto FC continues to stay mum on the topic of Uruguayan World Cup star Diego Forlan. Rasmus Ristolainen Jersey . "We dont really have a lot to say about it," Toronto president Kevin Payne said Thursday, citing Forlan being under contract to Brazils Internacional. Pressed further, Payne acknowledged his MLS club could make an offer for a player under contract. He just didnt want to talk about such. "Look I dont think its a good policy to talk about deals that are in progress," he told reporters after practice. "It cant do anything to help the deal. And it also can make you look pretty dumb if the deal doesnt happen. "We dont talk about offers weve made and we definitely dont talk publicly about players who are under contract to another team. To me, its a form of tampering. And even though its done frequently in the rest of the world, I dont think its appropriate." In the past, Payne has talked about signing players who are "appreciating assets," referring to young talent on the rise. Forlan is 34. And while still vibrant, his future seems limited. But Payne says the TFC roster needs seasoned veterans. "Its pretty clear from watching this group, weve got a lot of good young talent on our team. But we need some players whove been through some wars, players whove won things, and players who understand what it takes to win, to lead those young players." Signing a world star would seem to fit in with the approach of Tim Leiweke, the new CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment which owns the MLS team. The Los Angeles Galaxy snagged David Beckham on his watch. On Wednesday, manager Ryan Nelsen suggested that the foundation of the team needed to be sorted before it would make sense bringing in such a marquee name. Payne agreed. But he said the team has the beginnings of "a very good foundation." And he suggested that there are times when you just have to take the bull by the horns. "Sometimes opportunities come along, you cant always time everything exactly the way youd like," he said. "So there are times when certain situations arise that you have to try to take advantage of. And it may not fit perfectly into your timetable." Toronto is looking to add attacking quality in the current transfer window. "Wed like to add an established player and a young player," said Payne. "Probably in the goal-scoring positions. But we also will be looking to add at least one additional midfielder, probably a wide player who can assist us in the attack not necessarily be relied on for goals but more a guy that can create goals." The team is also looking at a "younger, wide defender." Paynes bid to turn the team around has not been helped by inheriting a salary cap scenario that he termed "disastrous." He says he took over a team with 16 or 17 guaranteed contracts. "It was in a really, really tough state," he added. "Some of the moves that weve made over time, under ordinary circumstances they might not have been the moves we would have made. But to some extent we were forced into doing certain things to give ourselves a chance to acquire flexibility. Because we didnt have any. "We were significantly over the (US$2.95 million) cap and significantly under the number of players on our roster when I got here," he said. "Basically the house was on fire and we had to figure out some ways to try to put the fire out, at least short-term." The team is still struggling with some big salaries. Veteran defender Danny Califf, currently back home with his family, has a salary listed at $165,000. Backup goalie Stefan Frei makes $200,000. Add in fullbacks Darren ODea ($456,250) and Richard Eckersley ($310,000) and TFC has used up more than a third of its salary cap. Those salaries could be even higher if Toronto has used allocation money to pay down the amount to the listed wages. Depending on what it does in the summer transfer window, the team could go into next year season with just four or five guaranteed contracts. That would then allow the front office to sign its own preferred core of players, shedding the rest. Payne, meanwhile, says the playoffs are a longshot but still possible this season. Toronto has yet to experience the post-season, missing out the last six seasons. And with a record of 2-8-7, the struggling club is currently 13 points out of the fifth and last playoff spot in the East. Payne says the team has dug itself a deep hole but can pick up points with a good winning streak, especially against Eastern Conference opposition. "We get to play a lot of six-point games," he said. "Were confident that if we can get the right pieces on the field that we can still make a run at the playoffs, we want to be in the conversation in the fall." Toronto plays at Sporting Kansas City on Saturday and Chivas USA next Wednesday before returning home to host the New York Bulls on July 20. Zemgus Girgensons Jersey . -- Sergey Tolchinksy scored his second goal of the game 3:56 into overtime as the Sault Ste. Jason Pominville Jersey . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. http://www.sabresauthority.com/authentic...-sabres-jersey/ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday.Everton boss Roberto Martinez is desperate to arrest his teams recent slump in form when they play Watford at Vicarage Road. Both teams are in need of the three points having failed to win any of their games since clinching a place in the FA Cup semi-finals last month.Everton have lost to Arsenal and Manchester United since their quarter-final win over Chelsea, while Watford also lost to the Gunners after a home defeat to Stoke since they beat Arsene Wengers side in the cup. Watfords semi-final opponents, Crystal Palace, who play Everton in midweek, have not won a top-flight match in 2016.While Everton have yet to discover their next opponents in the FA Cup, Martinez is concerned his team could lose buoyancy for that match if they do not pick up their league form. Everton manager Roberto Martinez You can work on every aspect of the game, and every technicality, but confidence comes with achieving good results and feeling good about yourself, Martinez said.Its something we need to regain with a good performance and getting back to winning ways. Its as simple as that. We need to simplify it.We should forget about the semi-final. Every team that got through to the semi-finals, they havent won a game in the league.Thats probably something that happens when you reach a real high, its difficult to reach the same llevel in the next few games. Ryan Miller Jersey. Thats why we need to control the level of performance in the game against Watford. Martinez has been impressed by Watford and Quique Sanchez Flores (right) The Everton manager expects a tough encounter in Hertfordshire based on Watfords display in the 2-2 draw at Goodison in August, when he was impressed by the sharpness of Quique Sanchez Flores side.Martinez said: They are in a similar situation. First and foremost I think Watford have had an outstanding season.We faced them in the opening game of the campaign, they surprised us with how quickly they got into the tempo of the Premier League, how well organised Quique Sanchez Flores had the team, the partnership that has been so successful playing up front, and I think they are not a surprise any more.What they are doing in the cup is probably what makes it a really interesting game. Both sides are desperate to get the form into the league. 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