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SEATTLE -- Jermain Defoe gave Toronto FC its moneys worth on Saturday. Joaquin Benoit Jersey . Defoe, one of Torontos marquee off-season signings, scored both of his teams goals in a 2-1 win against the Seattle Sounders to start TFCs Major League Soccer season. It was Torontos first win to open a season since 2009, and only the second in its seven-year existence. "I thought the guys were magnificent in the first half when it came to their football and magnificent in the second half when it came to their desire and their character," said Toronto head coach Ryan Nelsen. Defoe, who hadnt scored since Jan. 11 for former club Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, needed just 24 minutes to secure the win for his new team. He spoke earlier this week about his desire to perform well in case England coach Roy Hodgson was watching. With his two-goal performance on Saturday, Defoe has renewed hope for inclusion in Englands squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer. "To score two goals on your debut, its a dream," Defoe said. "The England thing is obviously going to be at the back of my mind." After early pressure from the Sounders, Defoe made a run between two Seattle defenders in the 17th minute. Jonathan Osorio, on the ball in midfield, slipped a perfectly weighted pass through the gap, and Defoe nestled the ball into the goal. Seven minutes later, Defoe picked up a loose ball after a Sounders giveaway near their own penalty area. He found space to cut to the right and fire another shot past goalkeeper Stefan Frei. "The first goal was a great ball, and you just have to finish it off," Defoe said. "The second half, we showed great character because they put us under a lot of pressure. Youve got to do that sometimes away from home." Seattle began the second half as it did the first, pressuring Torontos goal. Another big-name signing, Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar, made his first important intervention in the 53rd minute. He fell to his right and stuck out his left leg, deflecting a close-range shot from Obafemi Martins out for a corner kick. However, the Sounders pressure would eventually pay off. Seattles own Designated Players, Martins and Clint Dempsey, combined down the right flank in the 68th minute, putting Dempsey in space on top of the penalty area. The U.S. international took a settling touch with his left foot before slamming a right-footed shot low and to Cesars left. The CenturyLink Field crowd of 38,441 came to life, and the Seattle attack continued to press. Torontos back line held, helped by several foul calls by referee Ioannis Stavrides close to its goal, despite dropping into a defensive shell for the last 15 minutes of the game. Notably, Seattle substitute Kenny Cooper got behind the defence with five minutes remaining, but his central pass went wayward under pressure from Cesar rushing out of his goal. Osorio headed clear a tame Sounders corner kick in stoppage time, which effectively closed out the match. "Theres no doubt in my mind that as the season goes on, well continue to improve, and our football will be good," said Toronto midfielder Michael Bradley, another one of the clubs big off-season signings . "Tonight was different. Tonight was about the spirit, the mentality and doing whatever it took to come away with three points." Nelsen downplayed the result throughout his post-game talk with media, choosing instead to expound his desire for consistency over a long MLS season. "Weve got so much to improve on. Were not stupid," he said. "What I like about this team is their heart, their character, their desire -- that they want to win. Thats what you hope for. You build your house on that type of foundation." Toronto (1-0) plays its first home game of the season on March 22 when it hosts D.C. United at BMO Field. Seattle (1-1) takes to the road for the first time the same day, playing the Montreal Impact. Joe Blanton Jersey . -- The court fight over NFL concussions should heat up soon as a judge in Philadelphia weighs the fairness of the proposed $765 million settlement. Kevin Long Jersey . A lovely summer day in England with abundant sunshine and minimal wind allowed him to attack Royal Liverpool. http://www.officialnationalsgearshop.com/Nationals-Max-Scherzer-Kids-Jersey/ . Louis still looking for a way out of Tampa Bay, the 38-year-old NHL veteran isnt showing his cards.Dallas, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons dropped 21 points apiece and the Dallas Mavericks toppled the Utah Jazz on Thursday, 120-102, in their home opener. Two nights after losing a tight game to the defending-champion Spurs, Dallas stars made sure it wouldnt fall to 0-2. Nowitzki and Parsons shot a combined 17-of-29 from the floor. Al-Farouq Aminu contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, Monta Ellis netted 14 points with six assists and Tyson Chandler scored 13. The Mavs led by as many as 30 points and never trailed. Derrick Favors went for 17 points and 11 rebounds for Utah, which hasnt won in two games this season. Gordon Hayward and Trey Burke both scored 16 points in defeat. Dallas made its first eight shots from the floor, asserting its dominance from the opening tip. Nowitzki, Ellis and Chandler each hit a pair of field goals in the early going to stake the hosts a 20-11 lead. The Maverickks shot 64 percent (16-of-25) in the opening period and led 36-20. Mark Reynolds Jersey. Devin Harris came off the bench and scored eight of his 12 points in the second as the red-hot Mavs extended their lead to 69-44 at halftime. Utah made things interesting late in the third, twice pulling to within 14 points, but Aminu and Brandan Wright both made two free throws and J.J. Barea nailed a jumper to make it 88-68. The lead was 20 after three. Barea signed with Dallas earlier this week after he was waived by Minnesota. The speedy, undersized combo guard was a key cog during the Mavericks title run three years ago before signing with the TWolves the following offseason. Game Notes The Mavs have won 21 of 23 against the Jazz at home, and six straight meetings overall ... Seven Mavericks scored in double figures ... Dallas only turned the ball over nine times ... Utah was outscored 52-28 in the paint. ' ' '