TORONTO -- Toronto FC is making progress on its hunt for a new general manager, according to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke. Clyde Drexler Jersey . "This wont be a long search. Were already down to two (candidates)," Leiweke told season ticket-holders at the MLS teams annual barbecue Sunday. "Ive been focused on this the last two weeks." The struggling 5-13-10 club fired president and GM Kevin Payne on Thursday, with Leiweke saying the two were not on the same page. Reports have linked Real Salt Lakes Garth Lagerwey to the Toronto job although Real Salt Lake has noted he is under contract to the club through 2014 -- a fact that might not mean a move is out of the question. Leiweke also told his audience at the teams training centre Sunday that the MLSE board had authorized $26 million to spend on two major player acquisitions in the transfer window that just closed. The team was unable to close those deals, a failure that was seemingly part of the reason behind Paynes departure and Leiweke hitching his wagon to rookie manager Ryan Nelsen. "I also believe that the coach and the front office have to have the same view of the kind of DP (designated player) and the position youre trying to fill," Leiweke said. "One thing Nellie (Nelsen) and I agree on is we need strikers. "If you watched the game last night (a 4-0 loss in Portland on Saturday), we need finishers and we need strikers. It is so clear what we need here. Were not chasing defenders or midfielders. If were going to find a midfielder, itll be an attacking midfielder. And we do believe weve got to solve our striker situation once and for all by (spending) significant money." "Moneys not the issue," he added. "We have the money. But we have to find the right players." That means finding a player who wants to be here and wants to make a difference. "It cant just be a payday or a holiday or else thats going to backfire." Leiweke reiterated that the GM search is not about hiring "a dynamo or world-class personality that is a great spinner." "I think the future of this league is about the (salary) cap, about trades, about player evaluation and about development. I think what we need to do is take a page out of the NBAs book and find someone thats analytical, a capologist that understands how to handle our cap and make sure we do not enter into bad deals, that gets along and knows every GM in the league and knows how to make trades." His comments seemed to suggest a growing role for Nelsen in player personnel. Leiweke has pushed back the deadline to renew season tickets to January, telling fans that he will come back to them then. "We dont want you to make that decision now and, by the way, we dont have the right to ask that decision now," he said. "Well be back in January. "We know where were going and were going to get there quickly." Toronto, on its eight manager in seven seasons, has a history of failure on the field that includes never having made the playoffs. Leiweke also pointed to some of the teams past mistakes, said TFC will stop trading away its draft picks. "Those days are over, that I promise." He also said the franchise has also done a poor job of trading within the league. The MLSE boss paid tribute to the fans, saying he was "shocked" by the turnout Sunday and their loyalty in the face of the teams performance. "We dont deserve this," he said. Leiweke promised to talk to the ticket-holders in January "and lets see how weve done." "Between now and then Im tired of the BS and you aint going to get any from me. This is about rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. And thats what were going to do between now and January." Before then, Leiweke said he given his staff specific instructions. "No more promises, no more spin, no more assessment. Im tired of that. That doesnt solve a damn thing. What weve got to do is go work hard. Thats what were going to do." That seemed to be an unspoken reference to Payne, who often talked up the talent on the way. Leiweke also addressed speculation that the CFL Argonauts might join the MLS team at BMO Field, with the stadium being retrofitted to accommodate football. "Nothings going to happen until we have another conversation and you have input, I promise," he said. "This hasnt even been a subject or a discussion with our board. And when youre talking about $60 (million) or a $100 million, believe me the boards not only going to have an involvement, its not going to be a quick decision. "So lets not worry about that yet." Mario Hezonja Blazers Jersey . - Buffalo Bills running back C. Mario Hezonja Jersey . PAUL, Minn – The clock lingered for what seemed like an interminable two minutes and 51 seconds before Mark Fraser finally escaped to the bench during a wildly one-sided first period of an eventual loss to Boston. https://www.blazerslockerroom.com/Jaylen-Hoard-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year.Memphis, TN (SportsNetwork.com) - Zach Randolph had 27 points and 17 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 122-110 in double overtime on Sunday. Mike Conley posted 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, while Courtney Lee netted 18 points for Memphis, which blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, but outscored Phoenix 14-2 in the second overtime to snap a brief two-game skid. Good team win, Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger said. We left it all out there. Marc Gasol supplied seven of his 12 points in the second extra session. Alex Len tallied 14 points and 13 boards, Isaiah Thomas poured in 20 points off the bench and Markieff Morris provided 17 points and six rebounds for the Suns, who have dropped two straight on the heels of a four-game winning streak. After Conley sank two foul shots for a 100-94 Memphis spread with 42.7 seconds to go in the fourth, the Suns closed regulation on a 7-1 spurt. Markieff Morris nailed a triple and Eric Bledsoe drove in for a layup on consecutive trips down the floor. Vince Carter split a pair from the charity stripe to make it 101-99 with 19 ticks on the clock. P.J. Tucker took Randolph off the dribble from the top of the key and got a friendly roll to tie it after Bledsoe leapt and grabbed the net, which made the basket shake. No goaltending was called. Conley missed a leaner at the other end and tip attempts by Gasol and Randolph in the waning seconds didnt drop. Bledsoe knocked down a right wing 3-pointer with 33. Jusuf Nurkic Blazers Jersey. 3 seconds left in the first overtime. Tucker stripped the ball from Conley at the other end, but Memphis double-teamed Thomas in the backcourt and Lee collected the errant pass and was fouled. He hit the two foul shots to knot the contest with 16.2 seconds remaining. Bledsoe slipped along the left wing and his jumper was off the mark at the horn. Memphis put in the first nine points of the second extra session. Gasol netted the first seven points and a Tony Allen slam dunk staked the Grizzlies to a 117-108 cushion with 2:29 to go. The Grizzlies cruised the rest of the way. Earlier, the Grizzlies raced out to a 14-4 start and led 22-15 following a quarter of play. They were up 51-41 at the break and 75-66 heading into the fourth. It was 82-68 in favor of Memphis during the early stages of the final frame before the Suns netted 11 straight points to cut the gap to three. Marcus Morris scored the first six points of the swing and Gerald Green finished it off with a pair of free throws to trim the margin to 82-79 prior to the midway point of the period. Game Notes Memphis won its sixth straight game over Phoenix ... The Suns registered 24 points off 24 Memphis turnovers, while the Grizzlies turned 21 Phoenix giveaways into 27 points ... Memphis held a 54-46 rebounding advantage and outscored Phoenix 52-46 in the paint edge. ' ' '