ensive end Paul Kruger. Getting those guys back into the mix always helps, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said. .... Theyre talented, they play fast. Theyve been playing well a

Steven Gerrard is not ready to make any decisions on his retirement from football, and is instead focused on lifting the MLS Cup at the end of the season.Gerrard, 35, joined LA Galaxy on an 18-month contract last summer shortly after playing his final game for Liverpool, where he made over 500 appearances.A winner of two FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League in his time on Merseyside, but his half-season with the Galaxy ended without a trophy. Gerrard got two goals and three assists in 13 appearances, and the Galaxy, who have won the MLS Cup three times in the last five years, crashed out at the first knockout round of the play-offs with a 3-2 defeat against Seattle Sounders.But with the 2016 season set to kick off on Sunday, Gerrard believes it will be a successful year personally if he can win MLS biggest prize.Win the MLS Cup or go close [is the aim], he told Sky Sports. Last year we went out of the first round of the play-offs, the wheels fell off towards the end of the league campaign. We conceded too many goals and we got a really tricky away tie against Seattle in the play-offs.We need to position ourselves better in the league before it goes to the play-offs then its a bit of a lottery. We need to perform and be consistent in knock-out competition. Gerrard has enjoyed a full pre-season with LA Galaxy Like other stars to have passed through MLS before him, Gerrard admits hes been surprised by the standard of Major League Soccer since arriving in the States.The level is certainly a lot better than people think, Gerrard added. You have an opinion when you watch this game on the eye and its very competitive. Theres some good players in the league, good managers and good tactics.Ive sampled different training sessions at LA Galaxy that Ive never done before so maybe one day I can use different bits and bobs that Ive learnt over here. The 2016 MLS season kicks off this Sunday with Chicago Fire v New York City and Portland Timbers v Columbus Crew live on Sky Sports 1 from 7:05pm Gerrard acknowledges he underestimated the challenges posed by MLS, such as the travel and playing regularly at differing altitude, but says the experience of his first term stands him in good stead.There were some shocks and surprises when you go away on the road, Gerrard said.The altitude, the humidity, the length of travel, and obviously getting used to team-mates and new tactics, its a different way of playing. Ill certainly be better for the highs and lows of last season. MLS: Five Brits to watch The British influence keeps growing in Major League Soccer And with an eye on the near future, the former Liverpool captain says he has been enjoying the experience.Im glad Ive done it, Gerrard added. The experience has been good but Ill obviously judge it come the end of the season when Ive done a full season.Hopefully Ill go home with a trophy. It just made sense to me being at Liverpool for that amount of time it was important for me to come out, have a look in and see whats happening at Liverpool.[I get to] sample a different lifestyle and a different life experience. LA Galaxy last won MLS Cup in 2014 Gerrard insists he is in a good place physically heading into his 19th full season as a senior professional, and is not pressed to make a decision on retirement.I dont want to shut any doors and I dont want to make any rash decisions because where I sit now I still feel healthy, Gerrard said.I still feel fit, I still feel like I could play in most levels in the game so where I sit now Im not ready to retire. Will I be ready in 10/11 months time? Well have to wait and see.MLS returns to Sky Sports on Sunday March 6 when Chicago Fire face New York City FC from 7pm and Portland Timbers host Columbus Crew. You can watch both match live on Sky Sports 1 HD.Also See:MLS: Five Brits to watchGerrards Galaxy fall in MexicoInternationals will join MLSMLS has come a long wayBalenciaga Pas Cher . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Balenciaga Vente En Ligne . LUCIE, Fla. http://www.balenciagapascher.fr/ . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Balenciaga Pas Cher Homme . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Balenciaga Pas Cher Chine . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers coach Ron Rivera admits hes hoping for some bad weather on Thursday night.He figures maybe that might help slow down Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Well, that and a seemingly much-improved defense.Brees pounded the Panthers secondary on Oct. 16, throwing for 465 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints built a 21-0 lead and held on to win 41-38 on the Louisiana Superdome turf.In the three games since, Carolinas defense has clamped down, allowing only four combined offensive touchdowns while getting 15 sacks with four takeaways.Carolinas young secondary, which was racked by injuries in the previous meeting, has gotten healthy and is starting to mesh.Drew is a great quarterback and he was able to find those holes, find those mismatches, find the mistakes that were being made on our defense last time, Panthers safety Kurt Coleman said.But we have been able to correct those things over these last few weeks. I feel like our chemistry, the communication aspect that you need as a defense as a whole has been much better.Added Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy: What we had last year was a swagger, and were getting our swagger back.Saints coach Sean Payton said he can see on tape the Panthers are playing with renewed confidence.Theyre playing outstanding defense, Payton said. Their pressure on the quarterback has increased.Said Brees: They thrive on giving you a lot of different looks at times and they have a pressure package, and try to force turnovers.But stopping Brees wont be easy.He is completing nearly 70 percent of passes and has thrown 24 touchdown passes with only seven interceptions. His QB rating is second in the league behind Atlantas Matt Ryan.Some things to watch in Thursday nights game:DOUBTING THOMAS: Saints second-round draft choice Michael Thomas has emerged as the NFLs leading rookie receiver, but is coming off one of his worst games as a pro. He fumbled twice in the fourth quarter -- both resulting in Denver points -- and had a pass ripped from his grasp for an interception in the Saints 25-23 loss to Denver last Sunday. Thomas has been quiet since, disappearing from the locker room after the game and declining to speak with reporters on Tuesday. Emotionally hes great, Brees said. Hes chomping at the bit to get back out there and perform.ddddddddddddKICKING THEMSELVES: Major breakdowns on kicks have figured prominently into two Saints losses, including last Sunday. The decisive play in the loss to the Broncos was a blocked extra-point kick that was returned for a defensive 2-point conversion with 1:28 to go. Earlier this season, the Saints had a field goal blocked and returned for a TD in New York against Giants, who pulled out a three-point victory in that game despite not scoring an offensive TD.ON THE MEND: The Panthers are anxious to get two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil back on the field after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury. Carolinas running game has struggled in Kalils absence.Panthers quarterback Cam Newton called Kalil his secret jewel, saying he does more for a quarterback than any offensive lineman in the league.Defensively, outside linebacker Shaq Thompson is expected to play after missing two games with a knee injury.NEWTON RUNNING: Newton only ran twice against the Saints on Oct. 16 in his first game back from a concussion. But the mobile QB is expected to see more designed runs this time around against the Saints. Newton carried a season-high 12 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in Carolinas 20-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Rivera isnt tipping his hand when it comes to Thursday nights strategy, saying its just about the game plan more than it is anything else.SAINTS DEFENSE: The Saints could have as many as four defensive regulars on the field for their rematch against Carolina who were unable to play in the previous meeting. Those include rookie defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins -- a first-round pick last spring -- and veteran linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who each had sacks last weekend.Also back is top cornerback Delvin Breaux and defensive end Paul Kruger. Getting those guys back into the mix always helps, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said. .... Theyre talented, they play fast. Theyve been playing well as of late, thats for sure.---AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '