CHASKA, Minn. -- He has never experienced defeat at the Ryder Cup and has been a key contributor in his three appearances, so Rory McIlroy might not have the same chip on his shoulder that has typically been part of the European mantra.For so much of Ryder Cup history, Great Britain and Ireland, and later Europe, used what it perceived as second-class status to the mighty Americans as incentive -- a tactic seemingly unnecessary when youve captured three in a row, and eight of the last 10.But, of course, there are other ways.I dont think its hard for us to find motivation, because anywhere you look, whether it be the sea of red you see on the golf course or the comments that are made in the media by the U.S. team or by the captain, that gives us so much motivation already, McIlroy said Tuesday at Hazeltine National, site of this weeks Ryder Cup.Whenever we are going up against one of the greatest teams ever assembled, thats motivation enough, just to say how good a victory this would be if we got out and beat these guys on their home soil.McIlroy was taking a not-so-subtle jab at U.S. captain Davis Love III, who last week said in a radio interview that this U.S. team was the best maybe ever assembled, although Love said his comments were made in a broader sense and have been taken out of context.What I was saying was, This is what Id tell them: You guys are really good. Go out there and play like it, Love said.Certainly the U.S. needs to give Europe no extra fodder, especially the captain. Johnny Miller, the two-time major champion and TV analyst, didnt help when he suggested the European team is its worst in years.But judging by McIlroys take as well as that of Sergio Garcia, their European teammates will use it to gain any advantage they can.They are motivating factors, said Garcia, who is playing in his eighth Ryder Cup and has been on just two losing sides. You know what they say, opinions are like ... we all have one. At the end of the day, you dont win Ryder Cups with your mouth. You win them out there on the golf course.When first told of Loves comments last week at the Tour Championship, McIlroy quipped that he knows the U.S. has the best task force ever assembled, a reference to the often-chided U.S. Ryder Cup Task Force that was formed in the wake of the 16? to 11? defeat at Gleneagles two years ago.Yeah, obviously Ive followed everything and Ive had a bit of fun with it, with the task force, greatest team ever assembled, whatever else they are talking about, McIlroy said. But its going to be tough this week. Every Ryder Cup is.Even though Europe has had so much success, its always been [tough]. Maybe apart from the last time at Gleneagles, but the other two -- we shouldnt have won in 2012, we shouldnt have. It was a sort of steal and grab and go away. It was unbelievable how that worked out.And even at Celtic Manor in 2010, we only won one session, but it was that session where all 12 players were on the golf course [due to weather delays] and we won that session 5? to ?. So the Ryder Cup has probably been a lot tighter than people realize. Im sure its going to be that way again this year. Its going to be tough.McIlroy takes a good bit of confidence into the Ryder Cup after his playoff victory on Sunday at the Tour Championship, where he also captured the PGA Tours FedEx Cup.After a season that was mostly disappointing (he did win earlier on the European Tour at the Irish Open), McIlroy won twice during the FedEx Cup playoffs and capped it with a birdie putt on the fourth-extra hole to beat Ryan Moore -- who Love selected Sunday night as his final at-large pick for Team USA.Personally for me, its all about Im confident in my game, said McIlroy, who is 6-4-4 in his three Ryder Cups. 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Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Cheap Clearance Shoes . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Authentic Shoes Wholesale .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training.WASHINGTON -- Chris Pontius converted a penalty kick in the 11th minute and D.C. United snapped a club-record 13-game winless streak with their first victory since March 9, beating the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Saturday night. San Jose (4-7-6) was shut out for the third time in four games and has failed to score in each of its seven losses this season. "Its been brutal," United coach Ben Olsen said of the winless streak. "Its been brutal for the staff and the players. Its been brutal for the organization and its been brutal for our fans." Pontius echoed Olsens sentiment about the teams run of futility. "Awful, terrible," he said. "It tests you off the field as well, mentally. Its not something that any of us want to be in this position." For the second straight week D.C. United (2-11-3) was able to take an early lead thanks to a kick from the spot. United captain John Thorrington rewarded defender Chris Korbs run down the right side of the field into the penalty box with a perfectly weighted ball. Korb was immediately fouled by Earthquakes defender Justin Morrow. Pontius, who started the initial sequence with a pass to Thorrington, made no doubts about his first goal of the season by blasting it right as San Jose goalie Jon Busch guessed left. "I felt like I actually got into a groove this game," Pontius said. Its a bit of pressure off my back now." Despite finally earning all three points, the United players know the job isnt over especially withh the league cup on the horizon next week.dddddddddddd "Our goals in the beginning of the season werent to win two games in MLS," Thorrington said. "So hopefully this is just a stepping stone." After failing to earn a penalty kick through the first 14 games of the season, D.C. United has taken one in successive games. San Joses best chance of the night came in the 61st minute when midfielder Shea Salinas found space behind Daniel Woolard and Conor Shanosky just outside the 6-yard box before firing a left footed shot right at goalie Bill Hamid, who made the point-blank save. Salinas kept the pressure coming two minutes later with another attempt from inside the penalty area, this time having his shot blocked by defender Alain Rochat. San Jose kept pressing in the second half and nearly scored again as forward Adam Jahn got free inside the box and rifled a left-footed shot that beat Hamid only to go off the left goal post and out of bounds. Hamid saved three shots on the night in earning his fourth shutout of the season. "The confidence has always been high, we know we have the talent," Hamid said. "Its just finding the final touch, thats all its been." Reigning Major League Soccer MVP Chris Wondolowski, who leads San Jose with five goals this season and is tied for the team lead with three assists, did not make the trip east after injuring his right foot in training this week. There is no timetable on his return as the club will re-evaluate him. ' ' '