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TORONTO - They did not arrive with the hoopla of some of Toronto FCs off-season signings, but Luke Moore, Collen Warner and Dominic Oduro bring a smile to manager Ryan Nelsens face. Ken Dryden Jersey . "They are three brilliant trades," Nelsen said. "Those players have elevated us as a team to probably a next level. "We might not see that until four or five more games, but I think some of the quality of our play has been very good. You see it in training, see the levels have just got so much better and better." For Nelsen, no matter how good your designated players are — and with striker Jermain Defoe and midfielder Michael Bradley, Toronto has two excellent ones while the verdict is still out on Brazil forward Gilberto — a talented supporting cast is essential. A chock-a-block July schedule should allow Moore, Warner and Oduro to bed in with TFC. Toronto (6-5-3) has played two games already this month and has five more league games and a high-profile friendly with Tottenham left in July. Next up are the 5-10-3 Houston Dynamo, who visit BMO Field on tonight. The two meet again July 19 in Houston. The six points on offer are especially valuable given Toronto, despite having played four fewer games, holds a slim three-point edge over Houston in the Eastern Conference standings. Unlike Toronto, the Dynamo are enjoying a leisurely schedule in July with just four games. But Houston has been suspect on the road with a 1-7-1 record this season, scoring five goals while conceding 20. Thats two more than Toronto has in 14 games home and away. And Houston ranks worst in the league in goals allowed, averaging 1.89 a game. Toronto will likely have to make do Saturday without Bradley, who wanted to play immediately upon his return from the World Cup. Nelsen started the U.S. international last week, moving Bradley farther up the field in a revamped formation. "I look back and regret it," Nelsen said. "I tried to play Michael ahead of Brad (Orr) and Warner, more to save his legs. But after abound five minutes when he picked the ball off the centre-backs and was behind the centre-backs and started players, he just ended up going to what he knows and it kind of got us out of sync. "Too many guys doing very similar jobs. We changed it in the second half and it was more like us." Nelsen replaced Orr with Oduro at halftime and put Jonathan Osorio on for Bradley after 61 minutes. Nelsen kept Bradley out of training this week, allowing him to recover from a variety of niggling injuries and its expected the American star will watch from the sidelines Saturday. Orr will likely start in his place alongside Warner. On the plus side, Gilberto has returned to training from a hip flexor and is eligible for selection. The Brazilian will likely start on the bench with Moore partnering Defoe. "Me and JD, we enjoy playing with each other," said Moore. "We have good understanding on the pitch." The Dynamo have suffered in midfield from an injury to Ricardo Clark (concussion) and the World Cup absences of American Brad Davis and Honduran Boniek Garcia. All three were back for last weeks 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls, with Davis converting an 82nd-minute penalty to secure the tie. Houston has not won a league game since a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 17. The Dynamo are winless in six since — a 1-5 stretch that has seen them outscored 15-2. "Their position in the table probably doesnt really resemble the quality in their squad," said Nelsen. "I think theyll make a typical Houston run (in the second half of the season). Its when youre in these ruts, how can you get out of them? And theyre in one and they just cant seem to get a win." For Toronto, the game is a chance to put last weeks 2-1 loss to D.C. United behind it. That defeat turned a six-game unbeaten streak into a three-game winless string. "We let one slip against D.C.," said Nelsen. Now is the time to start turning games in hand into points. Moore, Warner and Oduro will play their part in that endeavour. Moore has three goals in seven games since joining Toronto from the Colorado Rapids on May 8 for defender Gale Agbossoumonde. "Hes been brilliant," Nelsen said of Moore. "I thought he was really good in the New York game (a 2-2 tie June 27) but I think hes just got better and better. Now hes playing with Jermain a lot, their understandings really good. And that second half against D.C. (United), nobody could get near those two. They were very good." Moore turned heads at an early age. He made his Premier League debut at 18 with Aston Villa and scored his first Villa hat trick at 19. Moore went on to play for West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Swansea City and Turkeys Elazigspor before coming to MLS. Captain Steven Caldwell, who played against Moore in England, points to the strikers skills in holding up the ball. "Hes got a lovely touch and brings people into the game. Nice turns. A very elegant player." Added Nelsen: "His feet and vision are fantastic." That works well with Defoe, who uses his speed and vision to separate from defenders. Warner arrived May 16 from the Montreal Impact in exchange for Canadian international midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran and allocation money. Hes expected to play a key role in midfield, allowing Bradley to move forward as needed. "Hes been absolutely outstanding since hes come here, I think you can see his quality on the park," said Caldwell. "Hes obviously a combative midfielder with passing range and very good feet on him." Warner, a 26-year-old from Denver, now has a home in Toronto, taking over Ryan Richters place after the fullback was loaned to Ottawa Fury FC. Oduro came from Columbus on June 6 in exchange for Spanish midfielder Alvaro Rey. He provides pace on the flank, a scoring threat who can also play up front. Oduro also brings league savvy, having made a combined 235 league and playoff appearances before pulling on a Toronto jersey. NOTES — Rookie centre back Nick Hagglund is suspended after receiving a red card last week. That opens the way for Doneil Henry to move back into the centre of defence alongside Caldwell. Alexei Kovalev Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers. Artturi Lehkonen Jersey .Manager Brendan Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo on Friday that Sturridge pulled his calf muscle in training as he prepared to return from a five-week layoff due to a thigh strain. http://www.officialcanadiensfanstore.com/authentic-antti-niemi-canadiens-jersey/ . Follow all the action live on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto, TSN Radio 690 in Montreal, TSN Radio 1260 in Edmonton and TEAM 1410 on Friday at 3pm et/Noon pt. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Colorado Avalanche will be heading into their first post-season in four years without leading scorer Matt Duchene after the forward suffered a quirky left knee injury. Duchene hurt his medial collateral ligament when he ran into a teammate on the opening shift against San Jose over the weekend. Hes expected to miss about four weeks. The loss is a big blow for the Avalanche, who have turned things around in coach Patrick Roys first season in charge and are in the running for home-ice advantage with eight games remaining. "We hope for a speedy recovery to be back as soon as he can," Ryan OReilly said after practice Monday. Duchene was trying to avoid a collision with teammate Jamie McGinn, but they awkwardly bumped anyway near the Sharks blue line. Duchene fell to the ice and then gingerly skated to the bench. "One of those freak accidents in hockey," McGinn said. McGinn said hes called and texted Duchene, telling him to "stay positive." Duchene posted on his Twitter account Monday that the "thought of not playing in the first round for me has been devastating." He added that he will be "doing everything in my power to be ready for Game 1... And if not then, shortly after!" The 23-year-old Duchene has set career highs this season in points (70), assists (47) and shots (217). He missed three games earlier this season with an oblique injury. The team went 3-0 in his absence. For now, Roy said the plan is to move rookie Nathan MacKinnon to centre to fill in for Duchene, with OReilly and McGinn playing on the wings. "Weve been finding ways to win games," Roy said. "Well continue to find ways to win." Heres an encouraging sign: P.A. Parenteau, who sprained his knee on March 10, briefly skated on his own Monday. Roy said Parenteau could possibly be back for the regular seaason finale in Anaheim on April 13. Charlie Lindgren Jersey. "We have depth and a lot of confidence in our players," Roy said. "Our players have a lot of confidence in themselves. Its a team concept. Its how weve been winning our games. Its not going to change." Right after practice, Roy assembled his team at centre ice, just to give them one final pep talk before taking off for their game in Columbus on Tuesday. He told them he was "proud of them" and that the team shouldnt be satisfied, especially with Colorado trailing Central Division-leading St. Louis by only seven points. The message was well received. "All year, guys have stepped up and done a great job," McGinn said. "We just stay positive and work hard and good things will happen." Asked if there was any pressure stepping in for Duchene, MacKinnon responded, "No." "Im not going to try to replace Dutchy, because you cant," said MacKinnon, a clear favourite for rookie of the year. "Matt is a big-time player and were going to have to find ways to win without him." Roy knows all about missing an integral player for the post-season. He and the Avalanche were without Peter Forsberg during their 2001 Stanley Cup run when Forsberg had to have his spleen removed after the first round. The team carried on without the Swedish star, beating the New Jersey Devils in Game 7 to win the title. "Thats the way it was in 2001 -- it was about the team," Roy said. "Peter was a very important player on that team, dont get me wrong. But our culture was we had to work hard every time we were on the ice. We had to find ways to win hockey games. "Thats what this team has been doing all year. This is what were talking about when youre talking about a team changing their culture. Were not looking for an excuse. Were looking for a solution." 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