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TORONTO - Toronto FCs playoff push took a body blow Wednesday night. But star midfielder Michael Bradley is not ready to pronounce the patient dead yet.Still, a 1-0 loss Wednesday to the Houston Dynamo, a team that has been road kill all season, wasted three valuable points.Bottom line, Toronto no longer has games in hand and sits three points out of a playoff place with three games to play. It needs to keep its pedal to the metal and hope somebody above it slows down.Coach Greg Vanney said sixth-place Toronto is still in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt, just with zero margin for error. And Bradley, who had a fine night, left no doubt that his team wont exit without a fight. Theres three games left, theres nine points on the table, said Bradley, levelling a death stare at a nearby reporter that would have done Godzilla proud. If we take nine points, Im pretty sure were going to be right there. I think taking seven points gives you a really good chance. So until somebody tells me that mathematically were no longer in it, every single guy in this locker-room is still going to be believing.The loss was frustrating and painful, given Torontos ample chances.Houston was reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when defender A.J. Cochran was sent off for dragging Luke Moore to the ground. Jermain Defoe, in his first start since Aug. 23, was foiled on the ensuing penalty by red-hot Houston goalie Tyler Deric.I believe if that goes in, then maybe its a different game, said a disappointed Defoe. Wed probably had enough time to get the second goal. But even after that the (Houston) keeper made some good saves.It was just one of those games.While Houston had only lost one of its last six games, it was missing three starters to international duty and had leading scorer Will Bruin on the bench after sitting out more than a month with a foot injury.Toronto outshot Houston 26-9, but led only 8-6 in shots on target. Defoe (seven shots, two on target), Moore (5-2) and Brazilian winger Jackson (4-2) all had their chances.I asked the guys to lay it out there, to play it was like their last game and I think we did, said Vanney. At the end of the day, the game comes down to executing in the box. We just didnt do that today.Giles Barnes first-half goal, coupled with Derics heroics, gave Houston a nervy win.It will keep us in the playoff race, Barnes said of the victory. I thought the team was fantastic. A massive three points on the road. It was a great team performance with a man down as well.The dropped three points were crucial for Toronto (11-13-7), which could have moved into fifth place in the East with the win. Instead Houston (11-14-6) joined Philadelphia within one point of Toronto.All three are looking up at the Columbus Crew, who hold down the last playoff spot in the East by three points over Toronto.The Houston game represented Torontos game in hand on the five teams ahead of it in the Eastern Conference. Toronto has three games left — away to the New York Red Bulls, home to the Montreal Impact and away to the New England Revolution.My message to the guys was what we lost today was our margin of error for the rest of the season, said Vanney, whose record at the helm dropped to 2-4-1.We now have to go out and we have to win. Thats it. ... For me, weve got to be almost perfect from here on out. That means if we play like tonight and finish our chances, maybe thats enough. But weve got to be more clinical when we get our opportunities.Toronto, which entered the league in 2007, has never qualified for the post-season. But TFC has already set single-season franchise records for wins and points this season.The game, TFCs penultimate at home in the regular season, was overshadowed by the Maple Leafs home opener at the nearby Air Canada Centre. There were plenty of empty seats in the announced crowd of 18,269 on a chilly 10-degree night at BMO Field.That snapped a streak of 15 straight sellouts (22,591) this season.It was a rare road win for Houston, which came into the game with a 2-11-2 record away from home this season — only Montreal is worse at 0-12-3. But Barnes, an English forward, has been a thorn in Torontos side all season with two goals and two assists in three games against TFC.He gave Houston the lead in the 35th minute, taking a well-weighted ball from Kofi Sakodie down the flank and beating rookie defender Nick Hagglund, who went down with what looked like a well-timed nudge from the Houston forward, before beating goalie Joe Bendik between the legs for his ninth of the season.Should have been a foul in my eyes, said Vanney.Hagglund and fellow centre back Steve Caldwell agreed.The game turned controversial early in the second half, with a penalty no-call, followed by a missed penalty and red card — all at the Houston end.Deric — in just his 11th MLS game, subbing for the injured Tally Hall — had a night to remember as Houston recorded only its second ever win (2-3-4) in Toronto.He was spectacular, said Vanney.Tyler is a monster, added Barnes. Its unfortunate the way he got his chance but he is like that every day at training. So I dont expect anything less from him, any game, any chance he has to play. He is incredible, he is a great keeper.Defoe, who saw 30 minutes action as a substitute last week in his return from a groin injury, was lively but his range-finder was just off.We all know he hasnt played a ton of games over the last two months, said Vanney. And I think thats unfortunately what got him a little bit in this match, just sharpness really in and around the goal. Brazilian forward Gilberto, who was out last week with a hamstring issue, did not dress for Toronto after a late fitness test.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Cheap Basketball Shoes Online . Irving played 10 minutes Sunday night before going to the locker room. He had two points and four assists, missing all five of his shots. The All-Star game MVP is the top scorer among Eastern Conference point guards with 21. Cheap Basketball Shoes Wholesale . -- Crystal Webster avoided elimination at the 2013 Capital One Road to the Roar Olympic pre-trial curling tournament with an 8-5 win over Amber Holland on Thursday. http://www.wholesalebasketballshoesaustralia.com/. Or, for that matter, the aged. Wholesale Basketball Shoes Free Shipping . 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. Cheap Basketball Shoes Australia . -- The Sacramento Kings and guard Jimmer Fredette have completed a buyout of his contract, clearing the way for the former BYU sensation to become a free agent.How did Arsenal’s new signing Granit Xhaka get on in Switzerland’s 1-0 win over Albania at Euro 2016? Gunners fans are likely to have been encouraged by what they saw… Swiss edge past 10-man Albania Switzerland got their Euro 2016 campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over 10-man Albania Since Arsenal announced the signing of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach, supporters have heard plenty about his leadership qualities - most memorably illustrated by the curious claim that hed received the house keys before his elder brother Taulant.The build-up to Saturdays Switzerland and Albania game understandably focused on the fact that this brother would be lining up for the opposition. But once the game kicked off, Arsenal fans got some answers to what they really want to know - will he help them win? Switerlands Xhaka was up against brother Taulant, playing for Albania On this evidence, expect there to be a buzz. Arsenals physicality in midfield has been the subject of criticism and not without reason. They ranked among the bottom five for tackles last season, while Leicester and Tottenham were both among the top three tacklers in the Premier League.Xhaka looks capable of changing those numbers. With six red cards in his Gladbach career, theres no questioning his combative approach and a big tackle on Amir Abrashi early on was every bit as aggressive as anything seen by Francis Coquelin in an Arsenal shirt. Xhaka challenge on Albanias Amir Abrashi was particularly strong Just before the 20-minute mark, Xhakas reaction to losing possession was impressive too - pressing one man and then the next in order to win back the ball, eventually robbing his brother before getting up off the ground quickly to build the attack once more.Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry liked what he saw. He showed that he doesnt care whether hes playing against his brother or against his roots, said Henry, covering the game for the BBC. He just wants to win the game. Man of the match Granit Xhaka was named UEFAs official man of the match in Switzerlands win over Albania.dddddddddddd Even that brief passage of play was evidence of Xhakas twin talent for tough tackling and positive passing. Indeed, the 23-year-old completed more passes than any other player on the pitch - 101 of them. Nobody else managed more than 70.While there was little wrong with his ball-retention skills, what was particularly striking is that Xhaka looked forwards where possible. He played a game-high six accurate long passes before the break, spraying balls left and right in an attempt to beat Albanias pressing. Switzerland 1 Albania 0 Player Team Completed passes Granit Xhaka Switzerland 101 Fabian Schar Switzerland 70 Valon Behrami Switzerland 62 Haris Seferovic really should have guaranteed Xhaka an assist but he failed to finish chances threaded through to him in the left channel either side of half-time. The midfielders total of three chances created was the joint-most of any player.Tackling and passing. Creativity and presence. The tales of Xhakas character - its emerged that he gives 80 per cent of his salary straight to his parents - will no doubt continue. But this was a welcome reminder that the player can bring plenty to Arsenal on the pitch too. Also See: Swiss edge past 10-man Albania Kante would complete Arsenal ' ' '