Allgemeines » McDaniels even more options as the Patriots move deeper into

SEATTLE -- Clint Dempsey was a spectator last time the Seattle Sounders played archrival Portland, kept off the field by a red-card suspension during a 3-1 loss.This time, he took charge.Dempsey scored twice and Cristian Roldan added a goal -- all in the second half -- in Seattles 3-1 victory over the Timbers on Sunday night.In front of 53,302 fans at CenturyLink Field, the Sounders (9-12-3, 30 points) won their third straight game and extended their unbeaten streak to four (3-0-1). They climbed within two points of Portland (8-10-8, 32 points) for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.Once we got the (first) goal, that kind of opened things up, Dempsey said. They had to press forward to try to get the equalizer, and we were able to pick them apart. We pretty much put in a perfect performance except for conceding that (late) one.Portland, which got a goal from Fanendo Adi in second-half stoppage time, has lost four of its last five games and remains winless on the road (0-7-6).Dempsey put Seattle on the board in the 61st minute when he converted a penalty kick past goalkeeper Jake Gleeson. The chance was set up when Roldan was taken down by defender Vytas Andriuskevicius just outside the box on the right-wing side. Dempsey, who missed a PK in last Sundays 2-1 victory against Real Salt Lake, drilled this try high into the left side with Gleeson going the opposite way.In the 80th minute, Roldan sent a through ball toward the Portland penalty area. Demspey caught up with it, took two dribbles, and fired it into the back-right corner from just inside the restraining arc.Before he scored either of those goals, Dempsey, who now has eight goals for the season, had a near miss on a wide-open shot from 17 yards straight in front.Early in the season, that would have been the only chance I got all game, Dempsey said. Now, when I miss a good chance, Im going to have two or three more. When you fight hard and keep yourself in the game, you have people who can create opportunities, and that puts you in situations to get good looks.Roldan headed in a shot from inside the 6-yard box to make it 3-0 in the 83rd. It was his third of the year.The Sounders current four-game unbeaten run has come since Brian Schmetzer was named interim coach after the team parted ways with longtime coach Sigi Schmid on July 26. Seattle has gone from well out of the playoff picture to right back into it.When you have a committed group of players, they can do the math, and they read some of the highlights in the stories that are out there that maybe the Sounders arent going to make the playoffs this year, Schmetzer said. But thats a proud team, and their response has been tremendous. I think their confidence is high, and with each win, they believe more and more that they can win the next one.The Timbers nearly had the equalizer twice in a span of 4 minutes. In the 63rd minute, Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei leaped to slap away a shot by Jack McInerney, and defender Joevin Jones then cleared it away from an open right side of the net.Four minutes later, Frey went down at the top of his 6-yard box and denied McInerney in a one-on-one chance, stopping the shot with his right hand.We have a chance to redeem ourselves next weekend, Timbers coach Caleb Porter said, and we will. Fake Shoes Free Shipping . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Fake Nike Shoes . After a first half in which he thought "the lid was on the basket," the Toronto Raptors coach watched his squad mount a second half surge to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-91. https://www.fakeshoesonline.com/ . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Fake Yeezy . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Fake Shoes Outlet . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. BOSTON -- Since arriving in New England last season, running back Dion Lewis has never been one to seek a lot of attention.So it makes sense that his first NFL game in more than a year came and went just as quietly.Lewis start against the 49ers Sunday was his first since he tore his left ACL in Week 9 against Washington last season. Its been a long road back, but Lewis said none of that was on his mind when he trotted out onto the Levis Stadium field.I was just thinking about going out there, trying to execute and making sure I didnt make mistakes, he said. I didnt really think about it being my first game in a year.He didnt have to wait long to work out any jitters.On the Patriots first offensive play of the game, quarterback Tom Brady looked in Lewiss direction, but failed to complete a short pass to him in the flat.Brady tried again two plays later with New England facing a short third down, this time connecting with Lewis on a quick screen for a 9-yard gain to put the Patriots inside San Franciscos 15. New England scored the games first touchdown three plays later.Last week, coach Bill Belichick alluded to a certain buildup process likely being needed for any player coming off as long an absence as Lewis.Lewis didnt make it into the end zone Sunday, but rushed five times for 23 yards. He was also targeted five times as a receiver, catching three passes for 26 yards.It was solid production in game in which he played just 21 of 76 offensive snaps.You just have to get used to playing the game, Lewis said. My body feels good. I felt the same as Ive always felt. I just have to get back in a rhythm. The more reps that I get, the more comfortable that Ill be.Lewis waas used as New Englands primary pass-catching running back last season before his injury.dddddddddddd His absence left those duties at the start of the season to James White, who has already matched the career-best four receiving touchdowns he had in 2015.That production has been in complement to LeGarrette Blount and his NFL-leading 12 touchdowns.With Lewis now back in the fold, it gives offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels even more options as the Patriots move deeper into the second half of 2016.It will also likely mean fewer opportunities at times for all three running backs. But Blount said that is secondary for all of them.I love him to death, Blount said of Lewis. Our running back group is probably one of the most close-knit groups on the team, and were always going to have each others back. We dont care about anything personally when it comes to this game. We just want to win games and show each other support.Lewis will likely need a few more games before his involvement in the game plan is at the level it was last season. With one game under his belt he said theres nothing to think about anymore as it pertains to the health of his knee, and that his thoughts are solely about how best he can contribute to the offense.Its challenging, but it can make you or break you, Lewis said. The things that Ive been through in my life prepare me for this moment, and I always push through.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower ' ' '