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TORONTO -- When Michael Bradley stepped off the plane in Toronto after the United States heartbreaking loss to Belgium at the World Cup, he made his intentions immediately clear. NBA Jerseys Store . "He came up to me and said, I want to train," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to play Saturday night when Toronto hosts D.C. United, returning to his Major League Soccer squad with mixed feelings about the Americans World Cup run -- sad that it ended when it did but proud of his teams performance. "Theres disappointment for sure because we felt like things had come together in a good way for us, and we felt like there was more there for us," Bradley said after Fridays practice at BMO Field. "Thats sports ... you realize in those moments again how fine the margin is between going home and going on. "I think for every guy on our team there is a huge sense of pride for the way we went about it when the spotlight came on the brightest. For every guy who was there, the commitment, the determination, the willingness to leave everything on the field in every moment was incredible." He rejoins a Toronto team that has been climbing the Eastern Conference standings. TFC is fourth (6-4-3), but with four games in hand over leaders Sporting Kansas City and D.C. United. Striker Jermain Defoe, who was left off Englands roster for the World Cup, said Bradley could easily have requested a week or two off to rest and decompress. "He decided to come in and he wanted to play. Thats brilliant. He had a fantastic World Cup and hes just ready to go," Defoe said. "Great character to say to the manager, Im up for selection, I want to play, I dont need to go away and have a rest." The Americans finished second in Group G, then dropped a 2-1 decision to Belgium in extra time in their dramatic round-of-16 game. "Its always a draining experience in the World Cup, especially when you get eliminated," Nelsen said. "Theres this incredible sense of finality to it, and it can have repercussions. Id be worried if it was any other player other than Michael." Bradley said the feedback from the Belgium game has been unanimous in that it was a great game to watch. "The drama at the end, all the emotion that went into it ... when youre little, those are the games you dream of playing in," Bradley said. "Unfortunately at the end somebody has to be on the losing side but when you get a taste of playing in those kinds of games, you want more." Bradley was overwhelmed by the support the team received in Brazil. Before their opening game against Ghana in the coastal town of Natal, the local paper reported 30,000 Americans had arrived in town. "Youre thinking, maybe well have a chance to have a home crowd," Bradley said. "We walked onto the field and the national anthem starts and the entire stadium was singing. Thats a special feeling, to be playing in a World Cup representing your country, thousands of miles away from home but having the entire stadium full of Americans. "The atmosphere, the people and the support pushed us on in such a big way." The success of the Americans, and the amount of attention paid to the team in North America, was seen as a big thumbs-up to MLS. Commissioner Don Garber posted on Twitter moments after the Americans elimination: "We proved to the world we are a soccer nation!" Six starters on the U.S. team, including star striker Clint Dempsey, play in the MLS, plus several other countries boast MLS players -- TFC keeper Julio Cesar is Brazils starting keeper, Australian international Tim Cahill plays for the New York Red Bulls, to name two. "Were all realistic, we all know the MLS is not THE best league in the world yet, but its on the right path, its growing, its continuing to improve, the quality gets better and better," Bradley said. "And when you get to the World Cup and see the number of players who come out of this league and have done well, and had a big impact on whats gone on there, you cant help but have respect for what goes on here on a weekly basis." The league recently attracted a couple more big stars. Spains all-time leading goalscorer David Villa is headed to New York City FC, while Kaka, a Brazilian and former star for Real Madrid and AC Milan, recently signed with Orlando. Theyre both expansion teams that will make their league debuts next season. Defoe called the recently Kaka news a "massive signing. Such a massive name." "Someone who has achieved so much in the game, great footballer, still has a lot to offer," he said. "The names just keep coming and coming and its only going to help the league. And obviously for me, I sit back and think Im so glad that Ive come over here, and just to be a part of it all is really good." Bradley, who tried to make time to watch Torontos games online when he was in Brazil, is excited to rejoin a team that looks poised for its first playoff appearance in franchise history. Toronto marked the end of the MLS break for the World Cup by tying the Red Bulls 2-2 on the road on Wednesday night, dictating much of the play before relinquishing the lead when the Red Bulls scored in the third minute of injury time. "Credit to all the players, and obviously the manager and staff ... were just improving each day, taking small steps but really improving as a team," Defoe said. Defoe scored the lone goal of the game when TFC beat D.C. United 1-0 in their second game of the season. "Weve played them already this season but we know theyve improved since then and we feel weve improved also," said captain Steven Caldwell. "So it should be a really good game, hopefully an attacking game. We feel for us weve really improved in that area, were looking very dangerous when we go forward, we just have to make sure weve got that nice balance and were tight at the back." Toronto plays its next three games at home. After Saturday, they host Houston on July 12, then the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 16. Fake NBA Jerseys . The goals took Liverpools tally in the Premier League this season to 70, overtaking Manchester City as the top scorers, and left the fourth-place team just four points behind league leader Chelsea. Discount NBA Jerseys . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night. https://www.nbachinajerseys.us/ ." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - When Anthony Pettis steps back into the octagon at UFC 181, the flashy lightweight champion will be in just his fourth fight in more than three years. Although he is one of mixed martial arts top talents, Pettis hasnt even seen a second round since October 2011.Gilbert Melendez intends to make Pettis regret all of his injuries and inactivity in a title fight that could serve as the masterwork of his long career.Theres nothing left to accomplish except this, Melendez said this week. If I can do this, I feel like Im one of the greatest of all time.While Pettis (17-2) hopes to begin a long reign as one of the UFCs top stars at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night, Melendez (22-3) relishes the chance to take the champion into areas he hasnt visited in years. While Melendezs big right hand is his greatest strength, he believes he can also win a mental matchup with the champion.Itll get real interesting when we get out of the first round and he hasnt hit me with any of that spinning stuff, Melendez said. Whats he going to do when were in a fight?Melendezs shot at Pettis is the penultimate event at UFC 181, a rare card featuring two title fights. Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks returns from a long layoff for his own first title defence in a rematch with Robbie Lawler. The card also features two heavyweight bouts and popular bantamweight Urijah Faber.But the MMA world has been anticipating Pettis return to the cage for 16 months, ever since he claimed the belt with a first-round submission victory over divisive champion Benson Henderson.Pettis incredible athleticism makes him a highlight-reel staple — never more than in December 2010, when he jumped off the side of the cage to flatten Henderson with the now-famous Showtime kick in their first meeting. Pettis cant deny his absence hurt, but hes eager to make up for lost time, perhaps fighting four times in the nexxt year. Clearance NBA Jerseys. I won the belt, but then I was off for a year, Pettis said. I cant consider myself the best of the best until I prove it for about a year. Thats what I want to start this Saturday night.Pettis fame has grown even during his absence from the octagon. Along with several endorsement deals, he is the first UFC star to appear on a Wheaties box, which was unveiled in Las Vegas on Thursday. Pettis wears a shirt and tie on the box, the lightweight strap hanging over his right shoulder.Yet the Milwaukee native wasnt an instant star in MMA, and he realizes how quickly his success can disappear with a loss. He respects Melendezs striking, but believes he can counter it with a well-rounded game.Ive been calling a first-round knockout, and Im still going for it, but he doesnt drop easy, Pettis said. If it doesnt happen, Im prepared to go five rounds. Hes one of the best guys in the sport, but Im going to show everybody what Im all about if theyve forgotten.Melendez already got a UFC lightweight title shot in April 2013 after dominating the weight class in the Strikeforce promotion. The San Francisco-based fighter made it through five tough-to-score rounds against Henderson, but lost a razor-thin split decision in the Bay Area.When Pettis took the belt away from Henderson last year, Melendez knew he had another shot at the title. Still, he had to wait: Pettis tore a ligament in his knee and recovered gradually from the surgery.Melendez passed the time by commentating on ESPN, and he agreed to coach the UFCs new womens strawweights opposite Pettis on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter, the promotions long-running reality show. The foes barely interacted during their six weeks on the show, preferring to save their enmity for UFC 181.I didnt want to get to know him, Melendez said. I dont have a problem with him, but thats not what I want. I want to beat him up and take his belt. ' ' '