Toronto FC is expected to announce Preki as their new coach today at an 11am news conference. Good hire for the Reds in nabbing a guy with a world of experience playing on this side of the pond - he was a two-time MLS MVP - and coaching in the MLS.

A pair of NBA Western Conference execs told ESPN The Magazine that the Houston Rockets, depending what they do with Luis Scola, will be chasing soon-to-be free agent Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors, who also happens to be a Texan.

Slovenia shocked Russia in World Cup qualifying yesterday, Portugal qualified, Greece beat Ukraine on the road to advance, but the story of the day is France securing their spot in extra time with a highly controversial goal, which you can see here. I'm no fan of the instant cry for replay you here of late in sports, but when you see Ireland lose it's dreams of qualifying on a goal like that - handball, and two offside calls on one play blown - that's ridiculous. Always figured Thierry Henry was beyond something like that. Shame on him. Irish captain Robbie Keane blasted the head's of UEFA and FIFA, intimating things weren't on the up and up at the highest levels.

Good of baseball commissioner Bud Selig to let us all know that he'll be looking to condense the playoff schedule so you don't have a situation like this year where the World Series winning New York Yankees - in case you weren't aware they won - played 16 games in 35 days.

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock tells ESPN The Magazine that the NHL standings don't change much after teams reach their 20th game, about now really. Take a peak. Sorry, Leafs fans.

The Boston Red Sox would badly like to get their hands on San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez. But, as rightly noted here, why would the Padres deal their best player, and a local boy, on a favorable contract?

Another night, another road killing of the Toronto Raptors. After getting pounded in Denver, the Raps got smoked in Utah 104-91.

SI.com's Jon Heyman takes a look at the Roy Halladay trade market and ranks the New York Yankees as the most likely to land Leroy. Nevermind winning the 6/49, a move like that would spur my own happy dance.

The Cleveland Browns have scored 5 touchdowns in the last 15 games. It is real, real tough to be that inept offensively.

Miami visits Carolina tonight in NFL action, and they'll be minus running back Ronnie Brown who is now out for the year. Me, I like the Panthers to cover the 3 points.

The New York Jets have lost four games this year on the last possession.

Have a great Thursday.