Senioren-Fussball » given night. Pillar arrives on merit. A

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact need to make the most of Italian stars Marco Di Vaio and Alessandro Nesta while theyve got them, said midfielder Patrice Bernier. That means now, because it appears that neither of the 37-year-olds will be back next season. Former Italy and AC Milan defender Nesta has already indicated he will retire at the end of the Major League Soccer season, and Di Vaio said this week that he may also quit for family reasons, even though he would prefer to play another year. "No one knows what next years going to bring," Bernier said Friday. "Theres personnel that we didnt expect to be here a long time and we have to take advantage of it. "If theyre here next year, great, but this is the season where the teams in good position. Its our second year (together). We know each other better and you have to take advantage of these moments and these players who are maybe in their last year, like Marco." The Impact (13-7-6) are unbeaten in their last four games and much of the credit goes to DiVaio, who has six of Montreals 11 goals in that span. The former Bologna striker leads MLS with 17 goals. They will be looking for another three points when they face the struggling Columbus Crew (9-14-5) on Saturday afternoon. Lately, the stocky Di Vaio has looked like he could play a few more years, but he said this week he will decide with his family whether to stay on after the 2013 campaign. Either way, he said he will play his best until the end of this season. "Its great to have him," added Bernier. "I take every game with him like its the last because you never know. "It could be he comes back, it could be he doesnt, but this is the year where the group has to see that we can do something that will set the standard for the future. Next year, I hope we have another player like Marco. You never know, but Im just going to enjoy 2013 as long as it lasts." The Impact slumbered through the summer and were in a 1-4-3 slump when they found their legs again on Aug. 17 with a 2-1 win over D.C. United. They followed with a 5-0 win over Houston, a 0-0 draw in Philadelphia and last weeks 4-2 victory at New England, their first road win since June. Bernier said the turnaround began with a tweak in their formation to a 4-2-3-1, adding a second holding midfielder to give opponents less room to run in the middle of the field. "We were leaving our defence exposed against teams that are athletic and can play one-on-one," he said. "We went back to a formation that was very helpful to us at the end of last year. "Once we had six defending players, it made (opponents) go outside. And we know that with the towers we have in the back (Nesta and Matteo Ferrari), they can cross the ball all day but theyre not going to score that many goals." It started with Bernier and newcomer Hernan Bernardello playing just in front of the defence, but an ankle injury that will shelf the Argentine for four to six weeks gave Collen Warner a chance to get back in the starting 11 last week, although he looked a little rusty. It also gives Bernier a chance to sneak into the attack from the back if there is an opening. The 33-year-old had a pair of goals in New England, although both were on penalties. Di Vaio had the other two using the move that has become his trademark, a quick cut inside to lose the defender and right-footed shot inside the far post. It helps that the whole team looks to have rediscovered its form. "People forgot in June and July very easily how well we were playing in March, April and May," said Bernier. "When you come down to the wire, you see guys that have character, guys that are used to winning and know how to step up their game when you really need it. "We know this could be a special year if we all are together, like we were at the beginning of the season and like we are now." The Impact seem to struggle against Columbus. The Crew got a late goal from Dominic Oduro to grab a 1-1 tie in Montreal on April 14 and beat the Impact 2-0 at home on June 15. But they have been in a rut in recent weeks. After losing eight of 11 games, coach Robert Warzyche was replaced by former Crew player Brian Bliss on Sept. 2. Bliss is 1-1-0 as interim coach, winning 2-0 over Houston and losing 3-0 in Kansas City. Impact captain Davy Arnaud once played under Bliss with Kansas City and liked what he saw. "Hes going to demand that theyre hard to play against," said Arnaud. "The first game he was in charge of, they looked very good at home. Last week it was tough in K.C. for them, but they have players that can be dangerous. "They have a new coach, which will give them some extra motivation. And theyre in a situation where they need to get points to get back in the playoff hunt. So its going to be tough." Dale Hawerchuk Jersey .ca MLB Power Rankings, the third consecutive week that the As have held top spot and the third straight week that they have been one ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. Laurie Boschman Jersey . -- Ryan Gropp scored in overtime as the Seattle Thunderbirds shut out the Spokane Chiefs 1-0 in Western Hockey League play Tuesday. http://www.officialwinnipegjetspro.com/ . Villar connected off Joe Saunders (11-14), sending a drive well over the left-field fence for his first career homer. The Astros scored six times in the first three innings to chase Saunders. Nikolaj Ehlers Jersey . Patton was placed on the restricted list testing positive for a banned amphetamine. Patton took Adderall, a drug commonly used to combat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, late in the 2013 season and then was given a random drug test. Blake Wheeler Jersey . With a victory seemingly slipping away late in the third quarter, his quick scoring flurry helped Golden State regain control early in the fourth.TORONTO - Emilio Bonifacio is a Kansas City Royal, Colby Rasmus is on the disabled list and Kevin Pillar and Munenori Kawasaki are up from Triple-A, the first in what could be a series of moves which reflect the harsh truths the Blue Jays face: the season is over and the future is now. "Boni wasnt getting a lot of playing time here and obviously scuffled with the bat," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "It was also a chance to get Pillar up here as well. I think in the next few days well probably have to make another move with an outfielder; were playing with three right now." Expect Anthony Gose to be recalled next, perhaps as early as Thursday. Colby Rasmus has a strained left oblique, suffered on a check swing during an at-bat on Sunday against Oakland. With Melky Cabrera down thanks to lingering knee trouble the Jays need both Pillar and Gose to maintain a complement of four outfielders. Jose Bautista is the mainstay in right field. Two of Pillar, Gose and Rajai Davis would man the other spots on a given night. Pillar arrives on merit. A 32nd round pick two years ago out of California State University Dominguez Hills, hes hit .299 or better at five minor league stops, rocketing through the system. Hes earned respect for "playing the game the right way" and is described by observers close to the Blue Jays as being "fundamentally sound." The latter should be music to a fans ears. "Clearly I could say, and I say that respectfully, we got him wrong," said Anthopoulos. "Just because if he has a chance to get to the big leagues you dont wait for the 30th round to select him. You could say that about Mike Piazza and Albert Pujols and Ian Kinsler and all these guys who were late picks.I think its a credit to the player and a credit to player development, both of them, really." The math says Pillar was passed over in the 2011 draft almost 1,000 times. Its a staggering number. Dont doubt Pillar remembers. Scouts say none of his tools stand out but emulating the work ethic of his baseball hero, Cal Ripken Jr., Pillar has met each challenge with success. "Being drafted in the 32nd round after wwhat I at least thought was a successful college career even though it was the Division II level, theres definitely a chip on my shoulder to prove that they may have got it wrong in the draft, that the system may not be perfect," said Pillar.dddddddddddd"Going in, naturally, I was already a little upset. I carried that chip on my shoulder." The Bonifacio trade came together after he was placed on waivers and claimed by Kansas City. The Jays will receive a cash consideration or a player in return and the two sides have about a month to work out the specifics. Bonifacios tenure in Toronto ends. In a way, it doesnt feel as if his tenure really began. He struggled offensively and defensively out of the gate, never putting together consistently good at bats and failing to stake claim to second base, which could have been his. With just a .258 on-base percentage, Bonifacios speed was rendered irrelevant and a strength of his - the stolen base - never materialized. He was thrown out six times in only 18 attempts. "Its one of those things, I mean you try everything and stuff doesnt come your way," said Jose Reyes, one of Bonifacios good friends on the club. "Boni is a guy whos hard working. He comes here early everyday, working to try to get better. For him, hes the guy if hes going to play he needs to play everyday. As a baseball player, when people tell you this is your position and youre going to play everyday there that puts your confidence level up. Its hard when you come to the ballpark and you dont know if youre going to be in the lineup or where youre going to play. Thats just me talking." DRABEK PROMOTED TO BUFFALO Right-hander Kyle Drabek, building up arm strength as he recovers from a second Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, has been promoted to the Triple-A Bisons. In 10 appearances, eight starts, at two minor league stops (Single-A Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire,) Drabek has a 2.83 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings. Drabek joins one-time Blue Jays rotation mate Drew Hutchison with the Bisons. Hutchison, like Drabek, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and both are expected to return to the majors before the season ends. 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