ouston (4.0 per cent) on Nov. 1.Hornets: Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who had missed the last

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. M.J. Stewart Jersey . Among the six changes: Drivers are now eligible if they have competed for 30 or more years in NASCAR or turned 55 in the calendar year before nominating day. Previously, drivers were not eligible until they had been retired for three years, so drivers can continue to compete and still reach the hall. John Lynch Jersey . Niese pitched seven steady innings on a rainy Tuesday night and Daniel Murphy had three hits to lead New York to a 6-1 victory over the Phillies. http://www.thebuccaneersfansclub.com/Bla...tanzaro-Jersey/. Since coming to the big leagues in late May, La Stella is 6 for 7 with the bases loaded, driving in 13 runs in those at-bats. Vinny Curry Jersey . Yup, he definitely needed this one. Craig homered twice and had three RBIs Wednesday night to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Craig went 4 for 5 and Yadier Molina added three hits for the Cardinals, who salvaged the final game of a three-game set in hopes of staying within shouting distance of front-running Milwaukee in the NL Central. Jordan Whitehead Buccaneers Jersey . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Al Jefferson finally quit thinking about what he wanted to do with the ball on the court, and just started doing it.That showed in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics, as Jefferson scored 11 of his game-high 23 points and the Charlotte Hornets held off a late rally for a 96-87 victory Wednesday night.Kemba Walker added 18 points and Lance Stephenson 13 for Charlotte, which led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter and were up 87-79 with 8:05 left.However, Boston — led by Marcus Thorntons 13 fourth-quarter points — pulled to 87-85 with 4:31 remaining. But Walkers three-point play and back-to-back baskets by Jefferson pushed the Hornets lead back to 94-85 with 1:19 left.We just had to get some stops, said Jefferson, who also had 14 rebounds as Charlotte posted back-to-back wins for the second time this season. We knew they could get hot fast. We just had to step up our defence.This is two games in a row that weve been able to close it out. I was thinking too much in the first half. I just had to be myself and relax, and thats what I did in the second half.Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Celtics. Jeff Green and Thornton led Boston with 16 points each, Tyler Zeller scored 13 and Brandon Bass 10.We made a little bit of a run at the start of the fourth (quarter), but we couldnt quite get over the hump, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. We missed some opportunities, and they just played better than us.The Hornets trailed by five points entering the third quarter, but opened the period with an 11-4 run. Gerald Henderson hit a jumper to tie the score at 49-49 with 8:37 left, and his 3-pointer with 7:37 left put Charlotte ahead to stay at 54-51.The Hornets took their biggest lead of the game late in the third quarter, with Walkers jumper with 1:38 remaining capping a 17-8 run for a 71-59 advantage.The Celticcs had mounted a similar rally in the first half, coming back from an eight-point deficit early in the second quarter to lead 45-40 at the break.dddddddddddd.The Hornets were ahead 26-18 on Gary Neals jumper with 11:02 left in the second quarter, but Boston went on a 20-6 run over the next 8 minutes. Rondos jumper with 4:29 remaining gave the Celtics their biggest lead of the half, 38-32.TIP-INSCeltics: Boston shot 21.7 per cent from 3-point range, making just 5 of 23 attempts. However, that wasnt a season low for the Celtics — they made just 1 of 25 against Houston (4.0 per cent) on Nov. 1.Hornets: Forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who had missed the last 12 games with a stress reaction in his right foot, finished with nine points and six rebounds in 18 minutes Wednesday.STAT SHEETWhile the Celtics actually made more field goals Wednesday (38 of 87, compared to Charlottes 35 of 84), the Hornets enjoyed a decisive advantage at the free-throw line — 23 of 29, while Boston made just 6 of 10. The Celtics also turned the ball over 15 times, leading to 14 Hornets points.QUOTE OF THE GAMEI think you could tell when you walked into the locker room that guys are happy. I think they know that the way they played tonight was a byproduct of how theyve practiced. You know, after 20 games, theres a lot of groups that dont want to practice three times. They just want to play the games. But our guys were good. They had good practices, and hopefully thatll set a tone for this next stretch of games. — Hornets coach Steve Clifford.IN THE DOG HOUSERookie guard P.J. Hairston didnt dress out for Wednesdays game after taking what Clifford said was an unexcused absence from Tuesdays practice. Clifford said Hairston, the 26th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, would suit up for Fridays game against the Memphis Grizzlies.UP NEXTCeltics: Host New York on Friday.Hornets: At Memphis on Friday. China Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2020 Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Wholesale NFL White Jerseys ' ' '

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