Stars und Sternchen! » But it could come

TORONTO -- Renovations are underway at BMO Field, with a light being left on at the construction zone if the money can be found to shoehorn in the Toronto Argonauts. First up is a $105-million facelift to a bare-bones stadium built on a $62.5-million shoestring as part of the deal to bring the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup and Major League Soccer to Canada. "It became really obvious to us that we were taking a backdoor in Major League Soccer relative to our facilities, even in a seven-year-old building," Bob Hunter, chief facilities and live entertainment officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said after the ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday. "This is going to take us back to the top of the MLS stadium category," he added. Phase 1, to be completed by May 2015, will see the stadium capacity raised to 30,000 with 8,500 new seats plus additional washrooms and concessions, in the East stand. A larger high-definition video board will replace the existing screen at the north end while new suites and premium areas will help add to the MLSE coffers. MLSE can add another 10,000 temporary seats, which it hopes will be enough to bring a Winter Classic to Toronto. The Phase 1 deadline is to ensure a larger BMO Field is in place for the Pan American Games next summer, with rugby sevens expected to be a showcase event at the lakefront venue. Phase 2, slated to start in September 2015 and end May 2016, will see the addition of a canopy covering all seats with the exception of the North stand, as well as a new sound and lighting system. MLSE, which owns the MLS team and runs the city-owned stadium, is putting in $95 million to help pay for the first two phases. The city is kicking in $10 million, which MLSE will repay with interest over 20 years. Phase 3 is where the Argos come in, with a plan to reconfigure the field to accommodate CFL football. Cost of all three phases is going to be $125 million, with MLSE looking for the provincial and federal governments to contribute $10 million apiece. That has yet to happen, so Phase 3 is on hold. There is a time concern. The Argos have a lease at Rogers Centre through 2017. But that deal cant be renewed, meaning they must find a new home for the 18 campaign. The city wants the Argos to join Toronto FC at BMO Field. But it has gone along with MLSEs wish that $20 million come from elsewhere. Hunter says if everything falls into place, the football phase could be accelerated. "Summer of 16 at best. And could be as late as summer of 17." But it could come down further down the line in terms of construction, as needed. Councillor Mark Grimes, chair of the Exhibition Place board of governors, is doing his best to bang the BMO Field drum for the CFL team which used to play at the now demolished Exhibition Stadium. "Im a huge Argo fan and a huge CFL fan. I think its very important we get them back home here where they belong," he said. MLSE also wants it to happen, Hunter said. "Weve always hoped that the CFL comes," he said. "Its a natural situation, a great solution for them." Hunter has plenty of deadline pressure already. "Its going to be very tight," he said. "As you can see, we started only last week. Theyre busy. We have a lot of work to do before May but were totally confident that well be there." Another deadline is May 9, 2015, when Toronto FC wants to play its first home game of the 2015 season. Toronto FC players Steven Caldwell and Michael Bradley liked what they saw from the artists renditions. "Very exciting times ahead," said Caldwell, the TFC captain. "We all cant wait for it to be done," added Bradley, who did his part in the groundbreaking ceremony by manning a bulldozer in the work zone east of the stadium. Chairman Larry Tanenbaum spoke for MLSE during the formal part of the proceedings. CEO and president Tim Leiweke was a silent partner at the event. Nike Air Max Outlet Nederland . Napoli hit two home runs, Jonny Gomes and prized rookie Xander Bogaerts also connected, and the Red Sox kept up their dizzying scoring spree at Yankee Stadium by bashing New York 13-9 Saturday for a fifth straight win. Nike Air Max Nederland . The stakes were higher, the competition more fierce and the atmosphere was that of a playoff game - something the young, upstart Raptors have five weeks to better prepare themselves for or the result will be eerily similar. http://www.airmaxnederland.nl/ . The 36-year-old said a few months ago he would hang up his boots at the end of the season, but has since changed his mind. "Its a pity the season is ending now, as I am in good physical shape and enjoying myself," Di Natale said. Nike Air Max Goedkoop . Jim Leyland, in his eighth playoffs, has never had a starting rotation he trusts as much as the grouping of Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister. Goedkoop Air Max Kopen . Noah finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes. He was headed for his fourth triple-double of the season, but sat down with about three minutes left because of the lopsided score. Kirk Hinrich scored 19 points for Chicago, going 5 for 6 on 3-pointers, Carlos Boozer added 18 points, D.BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. -- Being down a man while also missing two stars didnt seem to faze Toronto FC on Wednesday. Toronto (6-4-3, 21 points) ran its unbeaten streak to six as it resisted late Chicago pressure to earn a 1-1 tie at soggy Toyota Park. Midfielder Jackson scored Torontos lone goal in the 42nd minute, heading a feed from forward Jermain Defoe past Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson. "Any point on the road is a good point, especially when youre down to 10 men," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen, whose team remains unbeaten (3-0-3) in league play since a May 3 loss to New England. "They (the Fire) did very well in the second half and pushed us hard. We had to defend and we defended very well." Forward Luke Moore was issued a red card and ejected in the 29th minute after a mid-air collision with Fire midfielder Chris Ritter and Toronto played the final hour with 10 men. Toronto FC was also outshot 20-7 and trailed in possession by a lopsided 62-38 per cent. Yet Chicago mustered only one score - Harry Shipps sixth goal of the season in the 56th minute. "We did enough to win the game, when its 10 men against 11 we should win the game," said Fire coach Frank Yallop, whose team is winless in five games. "We had our chances, its frustrating. We had themm.dddddddddddd Thats our problem right now, we cant seem to win a game." Numerous other Chicago shots went wide, fell short or were stopped by Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik, who had five saves. In the 73rd minute an apparent go-ahead goal by Fire defender Bakary Soumare was waved off on an offside call. Toronto was playing its second game in five days while Chicago was among the last Major League Soccer teams to restart the season after a lengthy World Cup break. "This point is very valuable," Nelsen said. "It proves that away from home weve been down to 10 men twice and weve managed to get something out of the game and that was extremely important." Moores ejection came after a midfield battle for possession with Ritter. Moore appeared to elbow Ritter in the right temple. Ritter temporarily left the game but was back within three minutes with his his head bandaged. The ejection includes an automatic suspension for Saturdays home game with D.C. United. Toronto was missing goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who helped carry host Brazil into the World Cups final eight, as well as recent midfielder acquisition Michael Bradley, expected back soon from a U.S. team stint. Wednesdays game was played under steady drizzle and unusually cool temperatures. 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