KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen announced his retirement Monday night, two days after he made a pair of dramatic saves in a penalty kick shootout against Real Salt Lake to secure his club its first MLS Cup in more than a decade. Nielsen made the announcement during a title celebration at Union Station. "I want to thank the ownership group, my teammates, my coaches and the entire organization for the opportunity to have four of the best years of my life, not only mine but my family as well, here in Kansas City," Nielsen said. "I will remember these years forever." Nielsen kept Sporting KC tied with Real Salt Lake through regulation and overtime Saturday night before making two saves in the penalty kick shootout. Sporting KC eventually prevailed 7-6 in frigid weather to win its first league championship since the 2000 season. Nielsen was so overcome with emotion following the game that he retreated from the clubs locker room to a back room, away from reporters and TV cameras. "To the best soccer fans: Since Day 1 they have always been behind me and I want to thank them for all the support," Nielsen said. "It was the perfect timing, finishing with a great championship that the entire city deserves." Nielsen began his career in England and played the majority of it in his native Denmark, but said he was at a crossroads in his career when Sporting KC sought him out several years ago. He wound up agreeing to a contract with the MLS club, even though he barely knew where Kansas was on a map, and instantly became a hit with fans. Nielsen played every minute of Sporting KCs last 100 matches, made two All-Star game appearances and was voted the leagues top goalkeeper a year ago. It wasnt just his play that endeared Nielsen to fans, though. It was his personality. He became known for stopping his car at local parks when hed be driving by and joining in games with random children. Often, Nielsen would pull kids out of the crowd and have them kick balls at him as part of his pre-game warm-up. The recent release of his autobiography, "Welcome to the Blue Heaven: Dont Bet Against the Goalkeeper," chronicled the way he overcame an addiction to gambling. All of it resonated with Sporting KC fans who nicknamed Nielsen the "White Puma," and who would often show up at games with their own version of his bleach-blonde hair. "What an incredible way to end a career," Sporting Club chief executive Rob Heineman said in a statement. "Jimmy Nielsen is so important to this organization on and off the field, and we look forward to the next phase of our relationship." He retires with club records for regular-season games played (128), games started (128), minutes played (11,497), wins (57), ties (32), winning percentage (.575) and shutouts (45). Nielsens career goals-against average of 0.99 is the best in MLS history among goalkeepers with a minimum of 1,000 regular-season minutes played. "He has been instrumental to the success of this organization over the last four years," Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. "And as much as Im sad to see him go, I am delighted that he leaves the game as a champion based on the fact that he is a true winner." Cheap Air Max 2018 .com) - Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 12 points in the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 70-55 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Orange Air Max 2018 . In a series of tweets, it is explained by the Department of Player Safety that Niederreiter makes full body contact with Burrows and although there is head contact, he does not "pick" the head in the course of making the hit. http://www.cheapairmaxonlinesale.com/ . Thats when the eight-time champion revealed that a painful back is slowing his serves -- and, all in all, giving him more trouble than his opponents so far. Air Max 2018 Sale . The former Edmonton Oilers defenceman was with the St. Louis Blues in training camp on a professional tryout. Whitney, 30, had four goals and 13 points in 34 games with the Oilers last season. White Air Max 2018 . When the next inning rolled around Wednesday, though, Nationals manager Matt Williams sent Strasburg to the mound to face the top of the Dodgers order in what would become a 3-2 victory for Washington, the first time this season the No.TORONTO - Twenty-four hours after being caught up in Wednesdays shooting at Parliament Hill, the Toronto Maple Leafs were back on the ice at their practice facility trying to get back to the business of playing hockey.However, following an hour-plus on-ice workout on Thursday, it was clear the attack that saw 24-year-old Cpl. Nathan Cirillo lose his life was still weighing heavy on the players minds.Its scary because the guy was what? 24-years-old? Thats how old I am, said centre Nazem Kadri. It definitely puts things into perspective and certainly way too young to go.The Leafs were in the midst of normal game day preparations at the Westin Hotel, which adjoins the Rideau Centre mall across the street from the National War Memorial, when news of the shooting broke.Basically the TV was out our window, that was basically what had developed, Kadri said. News cameras all outside and ambulances — basically what was on the TV was right outside our window. We kind of got a double dose of it.Head coach Randy Carlyle was at the Rideau Centre when he heard of the news.Those are tough and trying situations that every individual has his own way of dealing with, he said. How traumatic it was and how close it was — I guess it made us all aware were all vulnerable in these situations.Carlyle, who spent parts of six seasons in Pittsburgh as a player, added the Penguins decision to sing the Canadian anthem prior to their game Wednesday night shows the closeness of the hockey community.Thats the hockey world, its one big family and when things like that do take place it shows the unity that the league does possess, he said. Its a great tribute on behalf of the Pittsburgh hockey club and their fanss.ddddddddddddForward Joffrey Lupul had a view of the situation from his hotel room window.We were watching it unfold on TV and could see a little bit from our hotel room, Lupul said. As a Canadian its something that you dont expect to happen. It caught me off guard and the first little while was just kind of surreal and then we started seeing it unfold on TV.The scheduled game for Wednesday night between the Leafs and Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre was eventually postponed. It has since been rescheduled for Nov. 9 — two days before Remembrance Day.We werent allowed to leave the hotel so it was pretty hard to imagine playing at that point, Lupul said. I think that was probably in Ottawa the last thing on peoples minds.Theres time throughout the year and well make up the game. Hopefully be able to do something special on that night to honour some of the heroes from (Wednesday).Lupul is part of an initiative with the Leafs called Lupes Troops, which provides tickets, jerseys and food at every home game to current members of the Canadian Forces.Wednesdays news hits closer to home for the Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., native.Just like anyone in this room, our hearts go out to the soldier that lost his life and I understand he has a young child and thats tough to hear about, Lupul said. Obviously the troops are at every game and hopefully well be able to do something a little special Saturday.I know that the people will give them a pretty good reaction Saturday.The Leafs resume their regular season schedule Saturday when the Boston Bruins visit. The team hasnt released plans as of yet, but says it will recognize Wednesdays tragedy prior to the opening faceoff. ' ' '