06-05-2019, 12:35 AM
Its a case of same again for Vancouver Whitecaps. After a successful switch in formation for last weeks home win over Houston Dynamo, Caps head coach Carl Robinson is expected to keep the same lineup for their match against Colorado Rapids at BC Place (Saturday at 3:30pm pt live on CTV BC). We have seen many good qualities from Robinson in his opening months as a rookie head coach, the latest being just last week when he showed a willingness to change. The Whitecaps had played his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation in the opening three matches, but needed to find a way to get the best out of forward Kenny Miller and also Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales. So Robinson made a switch, and the diamond midfield worked well as the Whitecaps won 2-1 against the Dynamo to keep their unbeaten start to the season alive. Theres little doubt about the star of the show last week - Morales was magnificent, especially in the first half. The Designated Player was everywhere, making the most of the freedom afforded him as a central attacking midfielder, showcasing his full range of ability, highlighted by his sublime passing. A cross-field ball driven between three Houston players was the top moment for me, but his first-time cross to the head of Andy OBrien, who then set up Jordan Harvey for the first goal, was very close behind. Morales is a difference maker that the Whitecaps have been craving for some time. He excites the crowd and makes those around him more effective. His influence on games will be key to deciding how successful the Whitecaps will be this season. Another big factor will be the depth of the Caps squad. They have assembled a quality group of players that gives Robinson plenty of options and will be extremely valuable as the season progresses. It also gives him the flexibility to change both personnel and formation within games, something he has already shown he is not afraid to do. One of the positives of the 4-4-2 diamond is that Darren Mattocks and Kenny Miller are both able to play in their favoured positions up front. Miller was less effective when playing wide as one of the three attacking midfielders in a 4-2-3-1, but his experience alongside the youth of Mattocks is important for the Whitecaps and against Houston, the partnership worked well. Other positives last week included a strong performance from goalkeeper David Ousted, more excellent work from young Argentine Matias Laba in his role as a defensive midfield destroyer, and solid displays from both fullbacks Jordan Harvey and Steven Beitashour. Everything seemed to work against Houston. Now the Whitecaps look for similar success against a Colorado side that is 1-1-1 through its first three matches. They have scored five goals, but all of them have been a result of penalties, four scored by Vincente Sanchez, and one rebound after Deshorn Brown saw his spot kick initially saved. Being awarded five penalties in just three games sets a new MLS record, but finishing chances from the run of play is something the Rapids have been struggling with through the first three matches (1-1 at New York, 2-0 win home to Portland, 3-2 loss home to Kansas City). Colorado are expected to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, but Pablo Mastroenis team will be missing some key pieces in Vancouver. Former Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne is suspended after a sending off in the loss at home to Sporting Kansas City a week ago, regular left back Chris Klute is injured, and there is also a question mark about whether veteran players such as Sanchez and Edson Buddle will play on the BC Place turf. Colorado finished three points ahead of Vancouver last season, beating the Caps to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, although the Rapids exited at the first hurdle, losing their Knockout Round match against Seattle, 2-0. The Rapids have kept many of the same players who got them to the postseason. Spanish defensive midfielder Jose Mari is one of the new names likely to play in Vancouver as he returns from a one-match suspension picked up in just his second game in MLS as the Rapids beat Portland 2-0 at home a fortnight ago. Thomas Piermayr could make his MLS debut in defence after signing with the Rapids this week following a trial spell with the club. While most of the players are the same, there is, of course, a new coach. Mastroeni had a long and successful MLS career as a player and is now embarking on a new challenge. With two rookie coaches on the sidelines at BC Place, it will be an interesting tactical battle. The Whitecaps have equaled their best start to a season since joining Major League Soccer with eight points from their opening four matches, a win against Colorado would set a new high standard, and also lay a strong foundation ahead of back-to-back matches against LA Galaxy. Authentic Indianapolis Colts Jerseys .com) - Australian Open champion Li Na, former Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and former world No. Cheap Indianapolis Colts Gear . The team made the announcement after Saturdays 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. RHP Kenny Giles will be called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill Adams spot on the roster. http://www.coltscheap.com/. -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. Indianapolis Colts Jerseys Outlet .S. - Nova Scotias Mary Fay guaranteed at least one more match and a shot at the Canadian junior curling championships final on home ice. Stitched Indianapolis Colts Jerseys .com) - Guess whos back, back again? Josh Gordons back, tell a friend.BOSTON - The Boston Bruins end the season as losers. Rubbing salt in the wound, Bruins winger Milan Lucic has been labelled a sore loser in some quarters. The hulking Bruin didnt abandon his prickly game when the best-of-seven series ended in a 3-1 victory for Montreal in Wednesdays Game 7 at the TD Garden. Lucic had words with several Canadiens during the traditional post-series handshake on the ice. The 25-year-old from Vancouver aggressively shook hands and had words with fourth-liner Dale Weise and defenceman Alexei Emelin. #WhatLucicToldWeise was trending on Twitter in Canada on Thursday. An animated Lucic held onto Weises hand as he had his say and then had words with Emelin. Montreal forward David Desharnais, who was behind the defenceman, put his hands on Emelins elbow during the exchange, as if to guide him past. "Milan Lucic had a few things to say to a couple of guys," said Weise, who declined to go into specifics. "You look at a guy like Shawn Thornton who has been around the league and he plays hard and he plays that role and he had good things to say to everybody. He won with class and Milan Lucic just couldnt do that. Well, I wont get into what he said, its just a poor, its just a poor way to lose.” The Bruin reportedly said: "Im going to kill you next year," with an F-Bomb thrown in for good meeasure.dddddddddddd Lucic, clearly still feeling the emotion of the loss, was unrepentant in the locker-room. "Its said on the ice so itll stay on the ice. So If he (Weise) wants to be a baby about it - he can make it public." Asked about allegations by some Habs of Boston disrespect during the series, Lucic was agog. "Disrespect? I dont know what theyre talking about. Disrespect? Having a goal celebration, what kind of disrespect is that? Im not going to say anything. Ive got nothing to say about that." Lucics behaviour during hockeys time-honoured handshake line, seen as a mark of respect, drew a quick response. "All he can do now, though, is apologize for his error in judgment," Adam Kaufman wrote in boston.com. "Or hell be known as another guy who disrespected arguably the greatest tradition in all of sports." "Milan Lucic probably wont be up for Sportsman of the Year," tweeted Sports Illustrated in the link to its story. Others were more forgiving. But Lucic wasnt the only one talking tough after the game. "Great to see a Canadian team finally take out the Bruins in a game 7," tweeted Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks in seven games to win the Stanley Cup in 2011. Boston has also taken out both Toronto and Montreal in Game 7s in recent years. 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