TORONTO -- Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen says newly acquired midfielder Michael Thomas brings versatility to his MLS club. A motivated Thomas says you can add work ethic to that list. "Im happy to be somewhere where I think Ill get a lot of opportunities and chances to prove myself," a sweat-drenched Thomas said after his first practice with Toronto on Thursday. "It wasnt happening in Kansas City at the time so Im happy to be at a place where were starting to turn things around." The 25-year-old Thomas signed with his hometown club in January 2012 but only appeared in seven MLS matches for Sporting Kansas City. Toronto gave up a second-round pick in the 2015 draft to get him. "The past year and a half has been a little bit frustrating," he acknowledged. "Not playing as much as I would like to. To come somewhere where you know youre wanted really brings a lot of confidence back. I cant wait to get out there and really prove myself." The five-foot-10, 170 pounder describes himself as a centre midfielder, although he has also played centre back. "I consider myself a workhorse in the middle, a two-way midfielder. I can contribute offensively, score goals, get assists, but love to work hard and get back defensively as well. Ive always been complimented about my work ethic and thats what Im going to bring to the table every day. I work my tail off." Thomas was drafted 19th overall by San Jose in the 2010 SuperDraft but elected to follow his dream and sign overseas with Swedish first division team Halmstads BK before moving to fellow Swedish side Ljungskile SK some six months later. "It was a risk but I was willing to take it," he said. "It was a great experience, great country," he said of his two years in Sweden. "The calibre of play is very good too. Its more of an aggressive league and direct, but to be able to get over there, play some games and get some experience at a young age was something that was very good for me." Ready for a new challenge, he relished a chance to sign with a Sporting Kansas City team on the rise. He grew up in Olathe, some 20 minutes outside Kansas City. The move also reunited him with former Fighting Irish and local club teammate Matt Besler. "At the time it was a dream come true," he said. He leaves "with all the respect in the world" for Sporting Kansas City, he said. The team seems to share that opinion of him. "Michael has an incredible attitude and work ethic while he was here," KC manager Peter Vermes said in a statement. "The decision was of mutual consent. Toronto is a team that was very interested in him and we wish him all the best with the opportunity." Thomas came to Torontos attention via Notre Dame coach Bobby Clark, who knows Torontos coaching staff and has used TFCs training ground. Thomas scored 19 goals and added 13 assists in 81 starts at Notre Dame. He went to South Bend after helping his high school team to three state titles. Thomas, whose salary is listed at US$60,713 this season, will wear No. 18 at TFC. He wore No. 8 at high school and college and was No. 1 at his local club team growing up. He combined that to be No 18 professionally although he took 88 (the year he was born) in Kansas City because No. 18 was already taken. NOTES -- The days of midfielder Terry Dunfield are indeed over at Toronto. The club has replaced a large photo of the Canadian international, who was cut in mid-June, at its training centre with one of Argentine midfielder Matias Laba. Shawn Green Dodgers Jersey . Giants manager Bruce Bochy told The Associated Press of the decision before NL West-leading San Francisco opened a 10-game homestand Monday night with the first of three games against second-place Arizona. Steve Howe Dodgers Jersey .Michael Briscoe is serving a life sentence for sexual assault, kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte in 2005. https://www.cheapdodgersonline.com/225h-steve-howe-jersey-dodgers.html .Y. - Major League Soccer is prepared to start its season this weekend even if there isnt a labour deal with its referees and other on-field officials. Gary Sheffield Jersey . Mike Ribeiro had a goal and an assist as Phoenix held on to snap a two-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. Justin Turner Dodgers Jersey .Y. - His opponent couldnt stop him, and LeBron James didnt quite know what to think when his coach tried. MANCHESTER, England -- Swansea virtually secured Premier League survival and West Bromwich Albion moved closer to safety on Saturday. Jonjo Shelvey scored an eye-catching volley in a 4-1 victory for 12th-place Swansea over Aston Villa, which is just four points and two places from the drop zone. Saido Berahino gave West Brom a 1-0 victory over West Ham that took the team five points clear of danger. But Fulham threw away a two-goal lead at home to Hull to draw 2-2 and remain in the drop zone. At the top of the standings, Evertons hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were hit by a 2-0 loss at Southampton which kept the visitors in fifth place. Tottenham closed the gap on Everton to three points after Danny Rose clinched a 1-0 win at Stoke, meaning that Manchester United could even miss out on Europa League qualification. After a sleepless night before his managerial debut, Ryan Giggs saw his Manchester United team reawaken Old Trafford with a comfortable victory over Norwich on Saturday to end a tumultuous week that started with David Moyes dismissal. United asserted itself over Norwich after a tedious start, with Wayne Rooney scoring twice -- the first from the penalty spot -- and Juan Mata also netting a brace after coming off the bench to complete a 4-0 win in the English Premier League. "I should retire now, a 100 per cent record," Giggs quipped. The 40-year-old midfielder, who dropped himself from the match-day squad, is likely to have just three more games as player-manager, with United looking to appoint a more experienced successor to Moyes. "The reception was great. Ive walked out of the tunnel so many times in big games. Thats the best feeling Ive had, I felt so proud," Giggs said. "Did I sleep last night? No."; It was a day all about restoring pride after Moyes inherited a team that won the league by 11 points under Alex Ferguson last May and took it down to seventh in the standings.dddddddddddd But while United is frustrated to be out of the four Champions League places, Norwichs position is far more precarious -- fighting against relegation. A seventh straight loss left the team just a point and a place above the relegation zone. Although the revenue streams could be hit, a season out of Europe could help the rebuilding process which it seems Giggs wont be overseeing as manager, however much he impresses during his four-game stint as interim manager. "Weve had a tough week and theres been a lot of negativity towards us as a team," Rooney said. "We were hurt by that and we wanted to put that right. Its important for us to end the season well." The breakthrough against Norwich came after Steven Whittaker brought down Danny Welbeck, and Welbeck scored from the penalty spot in the 41st. The striker was on target again inside three minutes of the second half, drifting in from the left unchallenged before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner of the net. United was cruising, and the magnitude of the victory was even more convincing after Mata made an immediate impact after coming off the bench on the hour. The Spain midfielder scored inside three minutes, after meeting a cross from Phil Jones. Mata nodded another over the line in the 73rd after being set up by Antonio Valencia. "Im interim manager but Im also one of their team-mates, so it was tough to leave them out, but youve seen the response of Juan," Giggs said. "Thats a true professional, to not moan and not sulk and come on and perform like he did." ' ' '