The Whitecaps knew they needed a high-end central defender even before the season started. That need was exacerbated on Saturday after a second half meltdown that saw the Caps fortunate to escape from PPL Park with a point, despite leading 2-0 at half time. The difference between the 4-3 win in Portland and the 3-3 draw in Penn State was the first 25 minutes of the 2nd half. Against the Timbers, the Whitecaps didnt allow their opponents any kind of life after the interval and, in the end, added a fourth goal. In Philadelphia, there was only one team that came out of the tunnel it seemed and Vancouver was under siege from minute 46 on. A simple tactical switch by the Unions John Hackworth saw a largely invisible Zach Pfeffer replaced by Michael Lahoud, whose defensive work in midfield seemed to allow Philadelphias technical players to see more of the ball. Beyond that, it wasnt pace that got the home side back in the game, but instead some good, old fashioned wing play and continuous service to a rejuvenated-looking Conor Casey. The 32-year-old target forward was simply no match for the Whitecaps central defenders. Before getting injured, it seemed as though Jay DeMerit was the more likely Whitecap to win the odd aerial battle, but after landing awkwardly in the 38th-minute, one has to wonder whether Jay DeMerits long-term availability is in serious jeopardy. Compounding the Whitecaps troubles at the back was a worrisome performance by Johnny Leveron, who has been touted as Carl Robinsons guy since the boss scouted him after an impressive 2012 Olympic campaign. The 23-year-old Honduran is billed as a defensive quarterback - a player who can make a great first pass. But on Saturday, his first pass was often a panic ball straight into touch and defensively, well, Leveron had a nightmare. He couldnt catch up anywhere close to Sebastien LeToux on the equalizing goal and then he inexplicably gave Casey acres of space at the top of the box, meekly turning his back on what was then the go-ahead goal. With Andy OBrien turing 35 this month and Jay DeMerit now on the sidelines, the centre-back search has suddenly become the bigger priority than a goal-poaching striker. Short term, Carlyle Mitchell could be back in the picture. He and Leveron found some synergy together in one of the more fruitful periods of the 2013 campaign thanks to the Trinidadians recovery speed and defensive athleticism. Third-overall pick Christian Dean still needs some seasoning, which makes one think that a young, athletic blue-chip centre back is now at the top of the shopping list with the transfer window about to open. Carl Robinson and his web of scouts will be scouring the globe to hopefully unearth a player who fits the Whitecaps criteria of young and with upside value. Asked about a rumoured MLS link with former Man City and Everton vet Joleon Lescott, the manager acknowledged his pedigree, but admitted that the 31-year-old former England international could command an unrealistic wage. To think that Vancouver has taken four of six points away from home while conceding six goals in those games makes you wonder where they could be if they shore up, arguably, their most vulnerable position. . A lawmaker is hoping the buzz from California Chromes run for the Triple Crown might build support for a bill that would place the U. . The Marlies centre set up three goals, including the game-winner, as Toronto cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons in American Hockey League action.
https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/. The 26-year-old slider from Calgary posted a time of 50.464 seconds, 0.573 seconds back of leader Natalie Geisenberger. The German led the overall World Cup womens standings this season and continued her dominance by putting down a track record time of 49. .A. Happ. The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to improve the starting rotation ahead of next season and pitchers like Happ have a chance to show they belong as the disastrous 2013 campaign draws to a close. .S. routed Sweden 7-0 Sunday to win its fourth straight title and seventh overall under-18 world championship. Olson earned his third shutout of the tournament and the Americans allowed only four goals in six games to set an International Ice Hockey Federation under-18 record.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Jerome Williams became the record 31st pitcher for Texas this season, Neftali Feliz was back in a familiar finishing role and the Rangers finally got a home victory in July. Williams pitched six solid innings in an unlikely start and Feliz got his first save in three seasons for the Rangers in a 4-1 victory over AL West-leading Oakland on Friday night. " Im happy to be back in the role, and the more happy I feel because I got a win for the team," Feliz said through an interpreter after working around two runners in a scoreless ninth. "I like to have that adrenaline flow through me, because I feel fans pulling for me to finish." Feliz, the closer again after Joakim Soria was traded to Detroit earlier this week, got his first regular-season save since 2011. The former All-Stars last opportunity, before moving to the rotation and then getting hurt and needing Tommy John surgery, was a blown save in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series against St. Louis. "He got it done. Im more than certain the more he gets the ball, the easier it will probably come," manager Ron Washington said. "Well just keep giving him the ball and see where it goes." Elvis Andrus had a triple among his two hits and scored twice for the Rangers, who had lost their seven previous home games in July and were coming off a 2-5 road trip out of the All-Star break. The Athletics still have the best record in the majors at 63-39, and they have a 22 1-2-game division lead over last-place Texas, which has won only six of its last 33 games. Williams (2-4) allowed one run while striking out four without a walk. The 32-year-old right-hander was released by Houston earlier this month and signed to a minor league deal with the Rangers two weeks ago. He also pitched previously for San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, Washington and the division rival Los Angeles Angels. "I didnt think I was going to come to Texas because I played for the rival," Williams said. "I cant really look at the future right now. I can only look at the present." Texas purchased Williams contract from Triple-A Round Rock as planned Friday to start in place off Nick Tepesch, who pitched in relief in the Rangers 14-inning loss to the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.dddddddddddd Tepesch is scheduled to start Saturday night. The Rangers have used a majors-high 52 players, three short of the club record. But 31 pitchers broke the previous mark, and they still have reliever Nate Adcock waiting for his season debut after coming up from Round Rock on Thursday. Texas led for good on J.P. Arencibias RBI single after Jim Adduci had a leadoff double over centre fielder Yoenis Cespedes in the second off Jason Hammel (0-3). Andrus had a two-out triple in the third past Cespedes and scored on a single by Alex Rios. Hammel lost his third straight start since coming from the Chicago Cubs with Jeff Samardzija in the July 5 trade. Hammel allowed four runs (three earned) in 5 2-3 innings. "The easiest thing here is to start getting down on myself, but Im not going to do that," he said. "I did a lot of good things tonight, save for a few hard-hit balls." Yoenis Cespedes was back in Oaklands lineup after missing Thursday with a sprained right thumb, and started in centre field for only the second time this year. He had an RBI single in the sixth for Oaklands only run. Cespedes had an error in the sixth on a wide throw home after Adrian Beltres RBI single. Rios and Beltre got an extra base, and Adduci followed with a sacrifice fly. NOTES: Oakland manager Bob Melvin successfully challenged to have two safe calls at first base overturned on replay. Arencibia was initially ruled safe on a pickoff throw by Hammel in the fourth. Andrus was called safe on what would have been an infield single, but wound up the inning-ending out in the seventh. ... Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux and longtime broadcaster Eric Nadel have hall passes to miss this weekends series. Nadel, in his 20th season as the lead voice on Rangers radio broadcasts, will receive the 38th Ford C. Frick Award at the annual Hall of Fame awards ceremony Saturday in Cooperstown. Maddux is there for the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction Sunday of his brother Greg, a special assistant for the Rangers. ' ' '
