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SAO PAULO - Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar said Tuesday he arrives for the World Cup at home a lot more prepared than he was four years ago, when his mistake played a part in the teams elimination in South Africa. Cesar said the difficulties he went through after the 2010 World Cup helped him become "a better professional" and made him "more focused" on his career. He admitted that he took things for granted before the World Cup in South Africa, when he arrived considered the worlds top goalkeeper. The 34-year-old Cesar said he joined Toronto FC because it was the only team that wanted him, but said his preparations were not affected by playing in a less-traditional league. He called his time with Toronto "excellent" and said he is "100 per cent" ready. "I arrive a lot more prepared than I was four years ago," Cesar said at Brazils training centre in Teresopolis, outside Rio de Janeiro. "During bad times you have to try to find some positive things, and I did. It wasnt only the elimination against the Netherlands, I also had to deal with problems at Inter Milan and then at Queens Park Rangers. I needed to find a lot of strength to come back." Cesar failed to clear a cross during Brazils quarterfinal against the Netherlands in 2010. That led to the equalizer for the Dutch, which eventually went on to beat the South Americans 2-1. Cesar said he thought about quitting football at the time, and things only got worse after he faced problems both at Inter Milan and then at Queens Park Rangers, where he was sidelined and played sparingly. "I became a better professional after the 2010 World Cup," he said. "When things are going your way, you end up relaxing a little bit more. I was very confident in 2010 because of everything that had happened until then, and I think that too much confidence can hurt. Now I can say that from personal experience." Although Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari named Cesar the World Cup starter long time ago, many still consider the goalkeeper the weakest link in Brazils squad, especially because of his lack of play in recent months. "I dont think there is pressure," he said. "I know many people are questioning me and why I was selected, but the coaches have the confidence in my game and I know that I can add a lot to this group." Cesar conceded nine goals in seven matches with Toronto in the run-up to the World Cup, but said he was able to take advantage of the time he spent in Major League Soccer. "My preparations were excellent, I feel Im 100 per cent ready for the World Cup," Cesar said. "Toronto was the only team that opened its doors for me. I talked to several clubs, including in Brazil, and the negotiations were not successful, many times because of the salaries here. But I knew I had to be playing so I could arrive well psychologically, it would have been hard if I hadnt been playing anywhere." ___ Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoni Morgan Burnett Jersey .Y. -- When the New York Islanders lead was cut in half in the opening minute of the third period, the sense of impending doom began wafting through Nassau Coliseum. Mason Rudolph Jersey . Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners. http://www.steelerspronfl.com/Youth-Morgan-Burnett-Elite-Jersey/ .com) - Colorado may be ahead of the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference standings, but they are a club that the Avalanche may want to avoid in the playoffs. Steelers Jerseys . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday. Terrell Edmunds Steelers Jersey . "Opinion: Womens World Cup is the best Soccer of the year," Hanks tweeted to his 8.73 million followers on Friday. "Hey FIFA, they deserve real grass. Put in sod.BOSTON -- Rubby De La Rosa quietly walked up behind reporters waiting for him and went unnoticed before he got their attention. His actions are much louder on the Fenway Park mound. De La Rosa had another strong home start, going seven solid innings to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. "Hes been outstanding at home," Boston manager John Farrell said. "Even in the couple of situations where we gave an extra base runner, he shut it down and pitched with a lot of poise tonight." Mike Napoli hit a tiebreaking homer, sending the defending World Series champions to their sixth win in seven games. Boston is looking to climb back into the race from the AL Easts basement. Kansas Citys Eric Hosmer extended his career-best hitting streak to 15 games with a single. The Royals lost for the eighth time in 11 games, falling to 10-20 in one-run games after leading the AL with 31 victories last season. Napolis homer cleared a billboard atop the Green Monster seats and completely left the park in the sixth. De La Rosa (3-2) gave up one run on five hits, walking four and striking out two. He worked out of trouble most of his outing. "Its fun to pitch here," he said. "I feel comfortable here at Fenway. I like the mound. I like the fans. I feel comfortable here." Danny Duffy (5-10) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on six hits in 6 2-3 innings. It was his fifth loss in six starts, but hes allowed two or fewer runs in four of the losses. "Were not scoring enough runs. Its as simple as that," Royals manager Ned Yost said of the one-run losses. "When we score, we win. Our bullpen does a nice job of holding it close. Its a combination of not capitalizing on opportunities, and we had opportunities tonight, a couple of them." The Royals have scored four total runs, and not more than one in any of Duffys last five losses. "I dont even think about it that way," he said. "These guys in here got my back day in and day out."t; Andrew Miller pitched a perfect eighth and All-Star Koji Uehara a 1-2-3 ninth for his 20th save in 22 chances.dddddddddddd In two of his three home starts, De La Rosa pitched seven shutout innings. In his last one, he gave up three runs in five innings. De La Rosa stranded runners at second base in four of the first six innings, twice also leaving a runner on first. "I didnt try to think about me on base," he said, flashing a quick smile. "I try to think about the next hitter." The Royals grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third when Jarrod Dyson tripled and scored on shortstop Omar Infantes sacrifice fly. Infantes fielding error allowed Bostons tying run in the fourth. With runners on first and second, Infante had Shane Victorinos probable inning-ending, double-play grounder go right through his legs, scoring Napoli. Boston left fielder Jonny Gomes bumped into shortstop Brock Holt, dropping a ball for a two-base error in the fourth, and called off Holt, but had the ball fall in front of him for a double in the fifth. NOTES: Bostons last eight home wins have all been by one run. ... The Red Sox activated RF Victorino from the 15-day DL before the game and optioned OF/INF Mookie Betts to Pawtucket. Victorino, who had been on the DL since May 24 with a strained right hamstring, got a nice ovation before his first at-bat, and went 1 for 3. ... The Royals started Dyson in CF in place of slumping Lorenzo Cain, who is hitless in his last 19 at-bats. "The off days definitely help him, coming off the three days at Tampa on the turf really beat up his legs," Yost said of Cain. "If I could do it the day I wanted, wed give him the day off tomorrow, but theres a lefty going tomorrow." ... Boston sends LHP Jon Lester (9-7, 2.65 ERA) against RHP Yordano Ventura (7-7, 3.22) is the series finale Sunday. Lester has a 6-3 mark with a 1.60 ERA in 10 career starts against Kansas City. ... Actor Steve Carell of "The Office" was in the stands, wearing a Red Sox T-shirt. 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