SEATTLE -- Jermain Defoe gave Toronto FC its moneys worth on Saturday. Defoe, one of Torontos marquee off-season signings, scored both of his teams goals in a 2-1 win against the Seattle Sounders to start TFCs Major League Soccer season. It was Torontos first win to open a season since 2009, and only the second in its seven-year existence. "I thought the guys were magnificent in the first half when it came to their football and magnificent in the second half when it came to their desire and their character," said Toronto head coach Ryan Nelsen. Defoe, who hadnt scored since Jan. 11 for former club Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, needed just 24 minutes to secure the win for his new team. He spoke earlier this week about his desire to perform well in case England coach Roy Hodgson was watching. With his two-goal performance on Saturday, Defoe has renewed hope for inclusion in Englands squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer. "To score two goals on your debut, its a dream," Defoe said. "The England thing is obviously going to be at the back of my mind." After early pressure from the Sounders, Defoe made a run between two Seattle defenders in the 17th minute. Jonathan Osorio, on the ball in midfield, slipped a perfectly weighted pass through the gap, and Defoe nestled the ball into the goal. Seven minutes later, Defoe picked up a loose ball after a Sounders giveaway near their own penalty area. He found space to cut to the right and fire another shot past goalkeeper Stefan Frei. "The first goal was a great ball, and you just have to finish it off," Defoe said. "The second half, we showed great character because they put us under a lot of pressure. Youve got to do that sometimes away from home." Seattle began the second half as it did the first, pressuring Torontos goal. Another big-name signing, Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, made his first important intervention in the 53rd minute. He fell to his right and stuck out his left leg, deflecting a close-range shot from Obafemi Martins out for a corner kick. However, the Sounders pressure would eventually pay off. Seattles own Designated Players, Martins and Clint Dempsey, combined down the right flank in the 68th minute, putting Dempsey in space on top of the penalty area. The U.S. international took a settling touch with his left foot before slamming a right-footed shot low and to Cesars left. The CenturyLink Field crowd of 38,441 came to life, and the Seattle attack continued to press. Torontos back line held, helped by several foul calls by referee Ioannis Stavrides close to its goal, despite dropping into a defensive shell for the last 15 minutes of the game. Notably, Seattle substitute Kenny Cooper got behind the defence with five minutes remaining, but his central pass went wayward under pressure from Cesar rushing out of his goal. Osorio headed clear a tame Sounders corner kick in stoppage time, which effectively closed out the match. "Theres no doubt in my mind that as the season goes on, well continue to improve, and our football will be good," said Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley, another one of the clubs big off-season signings . "Tonight was different. Tonight was about the spirit, the mentality and doing whatever it took to come away with three points." Nelsen downplayed the result throughout his post-game talk with media, choosing instead to expound his desire for consistency over a long MLS season. "Weve got so much to improve on. Were not stupid," he said. "What I like about this team is their heart, their character, their desire -- that they want to win. Thats what you hope for. You build your house on that type of foundation." Toronto (1-0) plays its first home game of the season on March 22 when it hosts D.C. United at BMO Field. Seattle (1-1) takes to the road for the first time the same day, playing the Montreal Impact. Elandon Roberts Jersey .C. - The housecleaning continues for the B. Mike Nugent Jersey . Summers has seen scant playing time with the Coyotes since being selected 29th overall by the club in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, having played in 47 career NHL games. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/491p-...y-patriots.html. Adam Lind provided the power and rookie starter Marcus Stroman had the best start of his young career as the Blue Jays dumped the Yankees 8-3 at Rogers Centre. Stroman, making his fifth start for Toronto, allowed one earned run and three hits over a career-high eight innings. Rob Gronkowski Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Darcy Kuemper, Minnesota (5): He was calm, poised, and looked comfortable all game. New England Patriots Pro Shop . If there is one club built to handle an off-field controversy, its the Bill Belichick era Patriots. Even if New Englands offence stumbles a bit out of the gate, their defence can help them stay in games, especially in the AFC East with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in the first two weeks.CALGARY - Mitchell Moroz scored his 26th goal of the season in overtime and had two assists to lead the Eastern Conference leading Edmonton Oil Kings over the Calgary Hitmen 3-2 in Western Hockey League action on Sunday. Henrik Samuelsson tied the game at 2-2 in the second period and added two assists, and Dysin Mayo also scored for Edmonton (34-13-1). Jake Virtanen and Connor Rankin scored for the Hitmen (31-12-6). Tristan Jarry made 20 saves for the win while Calgarys Chris Driedger stopped 24 shots in the losing effort. --- WINTERHAWKS 6 SILVERTIPS 2 EVERETT, Wash. -- Oliver Bjorkstrand scored a hat trick and added an assist as Portland toppled the Silvertips. Chase De Leo, Keegan Iverson, and Brendan Leipsic each had a goal for the Winterhawks (33-12-5), who racked up 39 penalty minutes on 11 infractionss.dddddddddddd Paul Bittner and Taylor Leier chipped in with two assists apiece. Kohl Bauml and Joshua Winquist replied for the Silvertips (25-17-8). They took 10 penalties totalling 37 minutes. Brendan Burke made 27 saves for the win. Everett goaltender Austin Lotz stopped 32 shots in defeat. --- THUNDERBIRDS 4 ROCKETS 1 KENT, Wash. -- Taran Kozun made 33 saves and Seattle scored two power-play goals to topple the Western Conference-leading Rockets. Roberts Lipsbergs and Shea Theodore both scored on the man advantage, while Mitch Elliot and Jaimen Yakubowski scored even-strength goals for the Thunderbirds (31-15-4). Tyrell Goulbourne replied with a short-handed goal for Kelowna (40-7-2), who racked up 32 penalty minutes on 12 infractions. Jordan Cooke stopped 34 shots in the losing effort. ' ' '