a whole doesnt consistently play together and gives up too many big plays

SEATTLE -- Canadas mens soccer team is looking to regroup after an upset opening loss in the first game of the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, but Thursdays game against Mexico offers little room for error. Canadas rebuilding squad suffered a last-minute 1-0 loss to tiny Martinique, which only has a population of 400,000, in the first game last weekend in Pasadena, Calif. But the Canadians also have a chance to take advantage of two-time defending champion Mexicos unexpected loss to Panama in Game 1. "I think we have a lot to prove for this next game -- for the team, for the country, for ourselves," Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran said Wednesday. The Canadian squad is experimenting with several young players and battling illness, as interim coach Colin Miller prepares to give way to new field boss Benito Floro after this tournament. While the players get used to each other, Canadas style of play is also in transition as Miller attempts to implement a possession-oriented offence that emphasizes passing, in the form of through balls, rather than long lead passes. Miller "disagreed wholeheartedly" with a suggestion during a conference call earlier Wednesday that Canadas passing skills are weak. "I may have a Scottish accent, and I may be tied to the British mentality of trying to play the long ball," said Miller. "But we dont coach that theory. ... Ive never coached anyone to just smash the ball up the park." But Miller and defender David Edgar said Canada will have to be more disciplined against a Mexican side that also likes to keep the ball on the ground -- a different style than that deployed by Martinique. Discipline means strong defence that Miller said his successor must carry on in wake of Canadas talent level. The problem, said Miller, is that Canada has never had a Lionel Messi-type player who can break open in the pitch and is a "real gem." "Weve never had that. We didnt produce it," said Miller. "So until we do that, we will always have to be fairly well organized and fit, and then disciplined, as (Edgar) said. I dont think its necessarily the system. I think its about recognizing the mindset of where were at in that transition and recognizing that we all have responsibilities to make sure that we give our players the best opportunities to win a game. If that means doing certain things defensively first, as well as we can do, its the rock that we will be built on." When it comes to beating Mexico, he and Nakajima-Farran contended, Canada must also show its character. Canadas mens program has struggled to recreate itself in wake of a humiliating 8-1 loss to Honduras in World Cup qualifying last year that prompted former coach Stephen Hart to resign and led to a months-long search for his replacement. "Its definitely a difficult moment for the whole national team and staff," said Nakajima-Farran, who is a Japanese-Canadian born in Tokyo and plays for a First Division club in Cyprus and has been with the national program since 2006. "But weve still a job at task, and we still have a lot to prove. With that in mind, I think we really have a good shot at this. ... Really, its a matter of passion and laying our country on our shoulders." Although this is a difficult time for Canadas national team staff and players, they still have a task at hand. "Mexico had a very bad result also," said Nakajima-Farran. "They seem pretty vulnerable also. Its just a matter of who wants it more. Really, its a matter of passion and laying our country on our shoulders." He said players are much hungrier than they were heading into the game against Martinique. But some players have had trouble digesting food. Captain Will Johnson, a Toronto native who plays for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, is suffering from what has been described as an illness after he came off early against Martinique, and has returned to his club. He is questionable for Sundays game against Panama in Denver. Meanwhile, Rusell Teibert, 20, of Niagara Falls, Ont., may not get to perform before a large contingent of Vancouver Whitecaps fans who are expected to head south for the game. The Whitecaps midielder has also come down with an illness and missed practice Wednesday. As a result of the health woes, Kyle Porter, a 23-year-old Toronto native, has been called in from his MLS club, D.C. United. Miller acknowledged that both Mexico and Canada are facing pressure to win after their early losses. He also noted Mexico will be favoured in its last pool game while Canada must battle against Panama, making Thursdays test all the more important. Note -- Miller declined to say whether he will go back with goalkeeper Milan Borjan following the late loss to Martinique. ... Striker Simeon Jackson of Mississauga, Ont., left the Canadian camp to pursue a club commitment in Europe, while fellow forward Randy Edwini-Bonsu of Edmonton also left due to injury. ... The first two teams in each of the three pools qualify for the next round along with the two third-place clubs, regardless of their pool, that have the best records. Ernie Whitt Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Jason Adam Blue Jays Jersey . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/756h-luis-leal-jersey-blue-jays.html . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Mike Timlin Jersey . JOHNS, N. Anthony Bass Jersey . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. BATON ROUGE, La. -- LSU running back Leonard Fournette broke something all right -- and it wasnt the left ankle that had sidelined him for nearly a month.Fournette rewrote LSUs single-game rushing record on just his first eight carries -- scoring three touchdowns of 59 yards or more -- and the 25th-ranked Tigers beat No. 23 Mississippi 38-21 on Saturday night.Ive never been (associated with) a player like Leonard, LSU interim coach Ed Orgeron said. Hes dynamic. I believe hes the best player in the country.Fournette finished with 284 yards rushing in his first action since aggravating a bone bruise in his ankle on Sept. 24. His touchdowns went for 78, 76 and 59 yards. He averaged 17.8 yards on 16 carries. Fournette broke Alley Broussards LSU record of 250 yards rushing (on 26 carries) in 2004, also against Ole Miss.He ran the ball with speed and force, at one point leveling Mississippi defensive back Deontay Anderson while turning a screen pass into a 22-yard gain.This has been one of the hardest seasons for me. Especially dealing with this injury. Im still dealing with it, Fournette said, adding that he heeded a pre-game text message from his mother, Lory, advising him to keep the faith. Everybody thinks Im healthy, but Im out of shape, too.The victory puts LSU (5-2, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) at 3-0 under interim coach Ed Orgeron, who replaced Les Miles four games into the season.Since Orgeron took over and promoted Steve Ensminger to offensive coordinator, the Tigers have demonstrated a penchant for big plays . They had four TDs of 40 or more yards against the Rebels, including Danny Etlings 40-yard pass to D.J. Chark.LSU finished with 515 total yards against Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3), which saw its chances of getting back into the SEC West race take a huge hit.Weve got to really, really look at ourselves hard -- coaches and players -- and figure out why were not putting together complete games, said Rebels coach High Freeze, who served as an assistant under Orgeron at Ole Miss nearly a decade ago. Youth is no longer an answer in certain places, and neither are injuries. Its time to grow and be able to play a complete game in this difficult conference.LSU really dominated this game in the second half, Freeze added. When things didnt go well for us, we didnt respond.Fournettes 78-yarder, which gave him 249 yaards on his first seven carries, put the Tigers up for good in the third quarter.dddddddddddd Derrius Guice iced it with a 6-yard TD.THE TAKEAWAYMississippi: The Rebels defense is sprinkled with big-play talent, but the unit as a whole doesnt consistently play together and gives up too many big plays and too many points. In all of their losses, theyve allowed 34 or more points.LSU: Fournette certainly made up for lost time. His performance puts him right back in Heisman Trophy consideration. To stay there, hell have to keep it up against Alabama, which held him to 31 yards on 19 carries last season in Tuscaloosa.KELLY CONTAINEDChad Kelly, who came in averaging an SEC-best 308.2 yards passing, was intercepted twice and sacked twice. He finished 19 of 32 for 209 yards and one touchdown, and the Rebels failed to scored 30 points for the first time this season.COMPETITIVE STARTKelly capped Ole Miss opening drive with a 15-yard scoring pass to Van Jefferson, and the Rebels briefly led 10-0 before Fournette came rumbling through the right side of LSUs offensive line for his 59-yard score. Fournettes 76-yard run put the Tigers up 21-13, but Marquis Haynes sack and strip of Etling gave Ole Miss the ball on the LSU nine. Three plays later, the Rebels tied it at 21 when Akeem Judd scored from 2 yards out and Ole Miss added a 2-point conversion on Kellys keeper.INJURIESHaynes, who leads Mississippi with five sacks, left the game in the second half, unable to put weight on his right leg.BIG-TIME BLOCKINGOrgeron called the play of his offensive line tremendous. Fournette said his record is an honor he shares with Tigers linemen. Fournette had big holes on all three of his scoring runs. Twice, he cut inside stout blocks on the right edge by Maea Teuhema.POLL IMPLICATIONSLSU, which just got back into the AP Top 25 poll last week, should continue to move up. Ole Miss, which was the only three-loss team in the poll, is unlikely to remain ranked.UP NEXTMississippi: The Rebels hosts surging Auburn next Saturday.LSU: The Tigers get next weekend off before hosting the top-ranked Crimson Tide in what could be a pivotal game in both teams seasons.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '