VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps have cleared many hurdles in their four Major League Soccer seasons.
Kirk Hinrich Jersey . One hedge that has continually tripped them up is playing the L.A. Galaxy on the road. Vancouver has never beaten the Galaxy at StubHub Center, where they have lost four times and been outscored 10-1. "Thanks for reminding me," coach Carl Robinson said with a grin this week after his team practised at the University of British Columbia. "Its got to change at some stage." The Whitecaps (2-1-2) are aware of the challenge they face when they play the Galaxy (1-1-1) Saturday in Carson, Calif. The team is packing a sense of confidence for the road trip. The Whitecaps have managed a win and tie against the Galaxy at B.C. Place Stadium. Saturdays game is another chance to measure themselves against one of MLSs perennial powerhouses. "Both sides have good competitors," said Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit. "Them being one of the better teams its a time for us to raise our game and really test ourselves and see how good we are. "That creates that battle sense." The Whitecaps are coming off their first defeat of the season, a 2-1 home loss to the Colorado Rapids last week. Vancouver led 1-0 but, playing one man down, gave up two goals in as many minutes to Rapids midfielder Jose Mari. "Those things happen and you move on," said DeMerit. "Knowing the calibre of team we are up against this weekend, that should excite us. That should take our focus and make sure we are preparing right. If we do the right things we can beat anyone in this league." The Whitecaps will be without midfielder Matias Laba who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Colorado. He could be replaced by Nigel Reo-Coker who missed two games after tripping over a bike rack and bashing his head. The 29-year-old from London was back practising with the team this week sporting an ugly scar on his head and a desire to get back on the pitch. "Im excited," said Reo-Coker, who started the first three games of the season. "When you sit out and watch one or two games its not nice. "Im someone who is used to competing." DeMerit said Reo-Coker makes the Whitecaps more abrasive. "Nigel brings a grit, he brings competitiveness, he brings a toughness in the tackle," he said. "He can really help us going forward when he gets the ball at this feet and drives at the defence." The Whitecaps have been a tale of two teams this year. Both their wins have come at home where they have outscored their opponents 7-4 in three matches. On the road Vancouver has managed two draws and just one goal. Robinson relishes the challenge the Galaxy present. "Were a young evolving team," said the first-year head coach. "It will be a good test to see where we are. "Its important we go on the road and try and dictate what we can, control ourselves, deal with them attacking wisely but putting a focus on us attacking." The Galaxy won their first match of the season with a 3-0 defeat of Chivas USA last week. Captain Robbie Keane scored his second goal of the season in the match. Keane has 36 goals and 22 assists in 58 MLS games since joining the Galaxy in 2011. Forward Landon Donovan needs just one goal to reach 135. That would make him the MLS all-time regular-season leader in goals scored. Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted said he doesnt want to be the answer to a trivia question. "It would be nice not to be that guy," said Ousted. "I am trying to keep a clean sheet so it doesnt matter who scores." Donovan has scored four goals against the Whitecaps, the most of any L.A. player. Keane and Donovan combine for a dangerous one-two punch, but defender Andy OBrien said its dangerous to focus on them because the Galaxy have plenty of other players able to deliver a knockout blow. "If you emphasize on Keane there are 11 players on the pitch," said OBrien, who has been a teammate with Keane on the Irish national team. "Not only does Robbie score goals he creates goals. "We need to close him down. He is one of a number of players theyve got that can score goals. From a defensive prospective you try to make life difficult for him and stick to it." DeMerit agreed the Whitecaps cant become too focused on just two Galaxy players. "One of their best qualities is they have a lot of interchangeable parts," he said. "You will see guys on the left end up on the right and guys in the centre on the left. "Guys have to make sure they are sticking with their jobs and their spots on the field. They are going to try to get us moving and change around. Defensively we need to be wary of that and get help from all 11 (players) defensively, not just the back four."
Custom Hawks Jersey . -- Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford made it through a third straight practice without any setbacks and expects to play in Oaklands regular-season finale against San Diego.
Dennis Schroder Hawks Jersey .com) - The disappointing Ottawa Senators hope to record consecutive wins for the first time since early November, as they visit the Boston Bruins on Friday for the opener of a home-and-home series.The Miami Dolphins havent been able to come through late in recent close losses, which certainly increases their desire to start fast against the lowly New York Jets. Looking to recover from a narrow defeat and begin a push for a playoff spot Monday night, the Dolphins will try to extend their road success against a Jets team thats turning back to Geno Smith. You can catch all the action on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5 starting at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt. Miami (6-5) is 0-3 in games decided by four or fewer points after blowing an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in a 39-36 loss at Denver last Sunday. It was the teams first loss after entering the fourth with a lead of more than 10 in 14 years. The Dolphins also gave up late leads in defeats to Detroit in Week 10 and Green Bay in Week 6. We have to find a way to win some of those games, coach Joe Philbin said. We are going to be in some more of those games. Thats just the way the NFL typically is. Philbins club is part of a tightly bunched group of playoff contenders. The Dolphins are in 10th place and one game behind a five-team pack fighting for the two wild-card spots. Miami also trails New England by three games for the AFC East lead, though they defeated the Patriots in their opener and travel to Gillette Stadium on Dec. 14. I dont think the records really matter right now, Philbin said. We have to go win a game against the New York Jets. Thats really the only thing that is on my mind and should be on our players minds at this point. The Dolphins, who havent made the postseason since 2008, have the advantage of playing the Jets (2-9) twice in their final five games. Theyve won five of six road meetings in the series, including a 23-3 win exactly one year before this game. Ryan Tannehill went 28 of 43 for 331 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in that contest, but struggled against New York on Dec. 29, going 20 of 40 for 204 yards with one score and three picks in a 20-7 home loss. Tannehill ranks third in the league with a 70.9 completion percentage and has thrown 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in his last six games. However, he did have a key fourth-quarter interception against the Broncos. Jarvis Landry caught two touchdowns Sunday to give him four in his last four contests, while Mike Wallace added his seventh TD reception.
Swingman Kyle Korver Jersey. Wallace has scored a touchdown in each of his last three meetings with the Jets. The Dolphins have outscored opponents 231-137 in the first three quarters, the second-largest margin in the NFL. Theyll try to build an early lead against New York, which has allowed the second-most points in the first half at 15.8 per game. The Jets are also tied for 30th with 27.5 points allowed per game despite ranking seventh in total defense at 324.8. They were outgained 336-218 in a 38-3 loss to the Bills in Detroit on Monday. Obviously, No. 1 is disappointment, center Nick Mangold said. No. 2 is frustration that we werent able to do our jobs. Its difficult. You hate losing. You hate losing like that. Michael Vick provided a spark in his first two starts in place of a benched Smith, but he was 7 of 19 for 76 yards before being replaced by Smith in the third quarter Monday. Smith went 10 of 12 for 89 yards, earning another chance this week. The second-year pro hasnt started since Oct. 26 in a 43-23 loss to Buffalo in which he was benched after throwing interceptions on three consecutive possessions. Smith also was replaced after going 4 of 10 for 29 yards and a pick in the last home meeting with the Dolphins, but he led three long scoring drives and completed 17 of 27 for 190 yards Dec. 29. The Jets rushed for an average of 170.5 yards in a four-game stretch before managing 92 on Monday. They might be able to get the running game going against Miami, which allowed a season-high 201 yards last week. New York certainly should have a good chance of making a few plays deep. Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor is out with a separated shoulder and fellow corner Cortland Finnegan is doubtful with a left ankle injury. Tight end Charles Clay is doubtful because of hamstring and knee injuries, while offensive tackle JaWuan James is questionable with a neck injury. New Yorks Jace Amaro is out with a concussion, while defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson will miss this one with a toe injury. Amaro leads all rookie tight ends with 34 catches for 291 yards.
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