Ryan Nelsen to join Toronto FC on Feb. 1

Ryan Nelsen of Queens Park Rangers (left) battles with Oscar of Chelsea.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

TORONTO (AP) -- Ryan Nelsen will start his new job as coach of Major League Soccer's Toronto FC on Feb. 1.

The 35-year-old defender from New Zealand will play his last game for Queens Park Rangers of the English Premier League at home against defending champion Manchester City on Jan. 29, Toronto said Tuesday.

He was hired by the MLS team on Jan. 8.

Toronto, which opens at Vancouver on March 2, also said Tuesday that it had hired former Canadian national team goalkeeper Pat Onstad as chief scout and manager of football partnerships. The 44-year-old was a D.C. United assistant coach during the last two seasons and played three games in 2011 because of injuries.

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