Peppers, this defense might wind up as the best in the country. Thi

TORONTO -- Danny Koevermans could be back for real next week and not a moment too soon for Toronto FC. The 34-year-old Dutch striker, who has been out for 10 months due to left knee surgery, is targeting the June 1 game against the visiting Philadelphia Union for his return. He played 45 minutes last Saturday in a reserve game against the Columbus Crew. "It felt great, like a little kid again," he said after practice Tuesday. "Im so happy just to move around, touch some balls. It was a great feeling, although it was a bad day because we lost to Columbus. But for me personally, it was a victory after 10 months hard work." Toronto FC, in dire need of a spark, cant wait to get him back. Only D.C. United (1-8-2) has a worse record than Toronto (1-6-4). TFC has lost four straight in the league and is winless in nine. The club has just two wins in 13 outings in all competitions this season. So far this month, Toronto has been outscored 10-1 in four losses, three in the league and one in the Amway Canadian Championship. The leagues own power rankings have Koevermans team currently ranked last among its 19 teams. Koevermans has been out since tearing his ACL last July in a game at New England. Toronto has gone 2-16-8 in league play since and been outscored 43-25. The big Dutchman, a streaky scorer, has 17 goals in 26 career MLS games, which includes 21 starts. His nine goals last season included a five-game scoring streak. On a contract that will pay him US$1.663 million this season, Koevermans is one of the leagues elite players. He is also one of its most grounded. After making the decision to come to Toronto as a designated player, he went all in on Canada, moving his family here and exploring his new surroundings. He says his long absence from soccer has made him appreciate every second of what he does. "Once youre injured then you find out how good a life it is to be a soccer player," he said. "I complained and struggled during my time in Holland and now Im like why did I complain so much? "Its nonsense. Because the moment youre out, then you see how much you love this game." Manager Ryan Nelsen watched Koevermans closely in the reserve game and liked what he saw. "Im really looking forward to Danny being back," said the former New Zealand defender. "Hes still a couple of weeks away. Well get him working on his finishing and his sharpness but Dannys one of those players that the ball just seems to find. "You used to hate coming against those players when you played against them because it just seems to ricochet off everything and land at his feet. ... And hes strong and hes looking fit. Hell be a valuable asset." And a much-needed one, given that Toronto has managed just 11 goals in 11 league games. Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw has five goals but hasnt scored since April 13. Justin Braun has two goals but has been slowed by injury. New Zealand international Jeremy Brockie has only just arrived on the scene. With goals hard to come back, mistakes or missed opportunities have cost Toronto dearly. All six league losses have come by one goal, leaving Nelsen to wonder what might have been had his team taken its chances at the attacking end and tightened up on defence. Koevermans, when scoring, provides a buffer. "Hes a big boy and hes a big presence up there," Nelsen said. Koevermans personal schedule is a little more accelerated than Nelsens. He says he is skipping this weekends game because it is on the plastic turf of the New England Revolution where he suffered the injury. "Im good to go," he said. "The week later, its Philly at home so hopefully the coach uses me then," he added. The six-foot-three Koevermans had escaped serious injury earlier in his career, saying six or seven weeks was his previous longest stint on the sidelines. So close to returning, he can hardly wait. Koevermans is like a little boy on Christmas Eve. "Im already sad that trainings over today because I want to be back tomorrow," he said. "I want to train again. "Its been hard, but not too hard because the moment I did it, I knew it would be nine, 10 months (out)." After the injury, friends reached out quickly. Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, an FC Barcelona player on loan to Germanys Schalke 04, was quick to call and share memories of his own recovery from ACL surgery. "So I knew what was coming," said Koevermans, who called the first two weeks after surgery "horrible." But everything came back in time. He had expected to miss the first 10 games of the 2013 season. If he makes into the field for the Philadelphia game, Koevermans will have been off by three games. And he says he could have been back sooner had it not been for the weather in Toronto, which kept the team training on turf under the bubble until conditions improved. "I think Im right on schedule. It sucks that the next game is in Boston," he said. While happy to be back, Koevermans understands that pressure awaits. "Its all about winning games and, as a striker, scoring goals," he said. If he is slow off the mark, he knows "people will say Oh he doesnt score goals anymore." "Well see what happens. Im just happy to be fit again. Im trying to help the team." Jrue Holiday Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. ETwaun Moore Jersey . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. http://www.cheappelicansjerseys.com/ . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. Emeka Okafor Jersey . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. Cheap Swingman Pelicans Jerseys . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. No. 7 Stanford | No. 9 Tennessee | Top 25No. 8: MichiganLast Season: 10-3?(6-2 Big Ten East)After fielding a top-10 defense each of the past two years (just 295.4 yards allowed per game since 14), Michigan enters 2016 with my No. 5-rated defense overall, led by my No. 10 defensive line and No. 8 secondary. On offense, the Wolverines return their top four receivers, led by 6-3 senior Jehu Chesson (764 yards and nine TDs), and their leading rusher, DeVeon Smith (753 yards). Michigan should open the season 7-0 and likely will be ranked in the top three, but the team has a brutal stretch to end 2016: Its final three road trips are to Michigan State (toss-up), Iowa (+3) and Ohio State (+6).IN IF... It can beat both Michigan State and Ohio State, a feat the Wolverines havent accomplished in 13 years. With a subpar schedule, theyll need that résumé boost for a playoff shot.OUT IF... Jim Harbaugh cant work his QB magic. UM claims the best pair of wideouts in the Big Ten (Chesson and Amara Darboh) and perhaps the best TE in the nation in Jake Butt (12.8 ypc) -- but those threats arent worth much without a quarterback who can find them.Michigans chances to win each game 09.03 vs. Hawaii: 99.4% 09.10 vs. UCF: 97.6% 09.17 vs. Colorado: 90.5% 09.24 vs. Penn State: 79.7% 10.01 vs. Wisconsin: 78.6% 10.08 @ Rutgers: 85.2% 10.22 vs. Illinois: 94.5% 10.29 @ Michigan State: 66.6% 11.05 vs. Maryland: 93.1% 11.12 @ Iowa: 66.3% 11.19 vs. Indiana: 91.3% 11.26 @ Ohio State: 48.4%Yeear 2 of the Jim Harbaugh era produces a College Football Playoff berth, as his experienced Wolverines ride a ferocious defense and a favorable schedule to an 11-1 regular-season record and a long-awaited Big Ten title.dddddddddddd.?-- Brian BennettThe Harbaugh hype is real. With cornerback Jourdan Lewis and linebacker Jabrill Peppers, this defense might wind up as the best in the country. This team is more than capable of an 11-1 record and a spot in the Big Ten championship.?-- Josh MoyerThe first half of Michigans schedule will do nothing to slow down the Harbaugh Express hype train in Ann Arbor. A 10-2 regular season is a reasonable step forward considering the Wolverines make trips to Iowa City, East Lansing and Columbus in the last five weeks of the year.?-- Dan MurphyMichigan doesnt play a game outside the Big House until Week 6 and is a favorite to win its first 11 games. Michigan breaks through in Harbaughs second year and beats Ohio State in the regular season finale to finish 12-0 and reach the league championship game. -- Jesse TempleThe Harbaugh Hype is building. But with uncertainty at quarterback and a tough conference schedule that includes road trips to the other three Big Ten contenders, the Wolverines are probably a year away and looking at a 9-3 campaign.?-- Austin WardNo. 7 Stanford | No. 9 Tennessee | Top 25 ' ' '