more hardly plays the role of intimidated visitor at Heinz Fi

SEATTLE -- Clint Dempsey didnt have much to say about the two-game suspension he received from Major League Soccer. Fourteen words to be exact. "Disappointed. I dont agree with it. It is what it is and move on," Dempsey said after the Seattle Sounders wrapped practice on Thursday. The real concern for some is that the suspension came right before a major U.S. national team exhibition against Mexico next Wednesday. By the time Dempsey takes the field against Mexico in Glendale, Ariz., it will have been more than two weeks since Dempsey last played. And while its just an exhibition, its significant because it will be the last U.S. match before World Cup camp begins in May. "Its a friendly, its not a World Cup qualifier so theres not much pressure that there would be if it was a World Cup qualifying game," Dempsey said. "But its still exciting to represent your country and to play against one of your rivals." Dempsey was suspended and fined for violent conduct toward Toronto FC defender Mark Bloom in a March 15 match. Dempsey hit Bloom in the stomach/groin area, a blow not seen by officials but that was captured by television cameras. Dempsey said after the match that he was trying to slap Blooms hand off his back and did not intend to strike his body. The MLS players union appealed but the suspension was upheld. Dempsey sat last week when Seattle won at Montreal and will be a spectator Saturday when the Sounders host Columbus. Hell return to MLS play on April 5 when Seattle travels to rival Portland. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann was one of Dempseys most vocal supporters after the suspension was announced. He was quick to point out the number of fouls Dempsey has taken since returning to MLS. "Its very disappointing to see Clint be the only person punished from this game," Klinsmann said last week. "There is a foul against him in the sixth minute that should have been a red card. The persistent fouling continued throughout the game, and hes getting punished for a reaction following all those fouls. Yes he made a mistake, but if opponents dont get penalized for consistently fouling, it only encourages them to continue that approach." According to stats provided by MLS, Dempsey is the most fouled player in the league since Aug. 10 of last season. Dempsey, the U.S. captain, appreciated Klinsmanns concern. "Yeah, for sure its always good that the manager has your back and I appreciate that," Dempsey said. "All I can do is keep working hard and keep working on my fitness after training and making sure I play well when Im with the national team, like I have always done in the past. And make sure I keep playing good with the national team moving forward and pay him back for his faith in me." Dempsey said one solution to the fouls would be for more yellow cards to be handed out earlier in the match. He believes that could create a better rhythm to the game. "I think its important to protect every player," Dempsey said. "The sooner you start giving the cards for reckless fouls then it cuts down on a lot of things and it makes the game more exciting to watch because there is more free flow to it." Rishard Matthews Jersey . -- Josh Smith made a 3-pointer as time expired and finished with 20 points to lift the Detroit Pistons to a 99-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night in both teams exhibition finale. Josh Martin Jersey . Boston is making its first appearance in the ALCS since 2008. For Detroit, its a third straight trip to the ALCS and its fourth in eight years. http://www.officialnewyorkjetsfootball.c...n-jersey-womens. Tottenham claimed top spot in Group K by winning 2-0 at Tromso after defender Adnan Causevic scored an own goal before Mousa Dembele put the result beyond doubt. Valencia made sure it will finish first in Group A with a 1-0 win at Swansea thanks to an early goal from Dani Parejo. Rashard Robinson Jersey . With the final four being arguably the four best – and most complete – teams from the regular season, picking a winner is not as easy as it sounds. Mark Gastineau Jersey . Canada Day is here and with it comes Free Agent Frenzy as the NHLs 30 teams storm out of the gate for signing season.PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Reality came quickly after the greatest day — statistically at least — of Ben Roethlisbergers career. Less than 24 hours after throwing for a career-high 522 yards and six touchdowns in Pittsburghs 51-34 romp over Indianapolis, Roethlisberger was on daddy duty, changing the diapers of his two young children and already pondering a familiar challenge for the surging Steelers: Baltimore. Catch the Steelers take on the Ravens tonight at 8:15pm et/5:15pm pt on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, and TSN5. Life goes on and thats the realistic part of it, Roethlisberger said. You have to put it behind you just as if you had a bad game. ... Theres no point in sitting here dwelling on the past when we have a big one this week. Pittsburgh (5-3) raised the stakes considerably after blowing out the streaking Colts for its second straight win following seven weeks of erratic play. The team that turned it over three times and committed nine penalties in a 26-6 road loss to the Ravens in early September has now piled up 81 points and 10 touchdowns in its last seven quarters. Maintaining that kind of pace will be difficult in a series known for low-scoring, taut games. Nine of the last 11 meetings between the clubs have been decided by three points or less regardless of the venue or the stakes. Baltimore hardly plays the role of intimidated visitor at Heinz Field: The Ravens (5-3) are 3-1 in their last four regular-season games in Pittsburgh. I love it because they put so much energy into hating you, Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said. You obviously are doing something, so its kind of flattering. I take it as a sign of respect. Even with two months to go, the prime-time showdown could be a separation game in the cramped AFC North, where all four teams are over .500. Baltimores loss in Cincinnati last week gave the Bengals a season sweep. If the Ravens can do the same to the Steelers, Pittsburghs path back to the post-season will become considerably tougher. Not that Suggs wants to look that far down the road. Both teams are 5-3 right now with a good chance of making the playoffs, he said. I believe in 2011, three teams out of the division did make the playoffs, so its a good chance. But everybody loves Ravens-Steelers. The world loves us. So do we. Some other things to love heading into the latest revival of one of the NFLs nastiest rivalriess: FLAWLESS FLACCO: Baltimores success at Heinz Field relies heavily on quarterback Joe Flacco, who is 3-3 in Pittsburgh and seems to thrive in a decidedly hostile environment.dddddddddddd Its awesome to play in front of your home crowd and get all that excitement, Flacco said. But there are times when its almost just as good to go in there and play so good that you can silence people that really dont want to be silenced and arent very good at holding their words. No wonder Flacco has heard an earful over the years. In his last eight games against the Steelers, hes thrown 10 touchdown passes and been intercepted only once. ONE LESS SMITH: The Ravens will be without cornerback Jimmy Smith, who has a sprained left foot. Its next man up. Thats why you have five days to prepare, safety Matt Elam said. Weve got some great corners who can come in and do things while Jimmys out. Even though Jimmy Smith is out, there will be no shortage of Smiths in white jerseys Sunday night. Theres wide receivers Steve Smith and Torrey Smith and linebacker Darryl Smith. Torrey Smith didnt have a catch last week, the first time hes been blanked since the second game of his rookie season in 2011. LITTLE BIG MEN: In an era when teams are looking for the next Calvin Johnson, undersized wide receivers Steve Smith and Antonio Brown of Pittsburgh are thriving. The 5-foot-10 Brown leads the NFL with 60 receptions and the 5-foot-9 Smith is seventh with 41. The little guys are coming back to rule the world, Smith said. Were coming back (and) were here to stay. Honouring JOE: The Steelers will honour Hall of Fame defensive tackle Joe Greene during a halftime ceremony. Pittsburgh will officially retire Greenes No. 75 jersey, a formality considering it hasnt been issued since Greene retired in 1981. Greene helped the Steelers to four Super Bowls in the 1970s. SPREADING IT AROUND: While Brown is Roethlisbergers favourite target, the Steelers spread it around against the Colts. Nine players caught a pass, a development Roethlisberger feels can only help as his team moves forward. As long as each guy wires in on what hes doing on his particular plays and groupings then we can keep rolling, he said. ___ AP Sports Writer David Ginsburg in Baltimore contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '