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VANCOUVER - Carl Robinson needs a little bit extra from the Vancouver Whitecaps. The rookie head coach has watched his team earn points in seven of its last Major League Soccer games but with just one win over that span Vancouver has tumbled out of a Western Conference playoff position. While he hasnt had any complaints about the Whitecaps effort, Robinson will be looking for another gear when defending-champion Sporting Kansas City visits B.C. Place Stadium on Sunday. Watch the game on TSN starting at 8pm et/5pm pt. "I think thats a daily thing. I think youve always got to give more," said the Welshman. "The day you think that youve done it or you stop giving more will be in the day that youre in the wrong sport. Well continue to work hard, whatever the results." The Whitecaps rocketed out of the gate to start the season thanks to an attack-minded and free-flowing system that had them scoring plenty of goals. But for all the good vibes early on, the last two months have seen Vancouver (6-4-11) pick up just a single victory to go along with four straight ties, including an dreary 0-0 road draw against the Chicago Fire on July 30. "Were very close to turning those draws into wins, but also were very close to having them taken away from us and (turned) into losses," said Robinson. "Were not getting carried away, were not losing many games, but I want to win more games." The Whitecaps were tied for the fewest losses in MLS heading into the weekend, but their 11 draws include games they really shouldve won going away if even one of a number of golden opportunities had been converted. "Weve missed chances, and in football its all about taking your chances. Thats why the big guys are paid the big bucks, because theyre able to take those chances," said Robinson. "Weve got ourselves in good positions but we havent been able to take them. Well continue to work at it. "Hopefully we can maybe get one in off a backside that might help us get flowing again." The killer instinct Vancouver showed early in the season has dried up since the beginning of June with just six goals in the last eight games — including a 30-shot performance in a 2-2 draw against FC Dallas on July 27 — and is in direct correlation with the clubs current 1-2-6 run. "When weve had the other team by the neck and playing well and creating a lot of chances, we need to put the games away scoring those goals," said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. "Thats whats going to kill the other teams. "I feel like our offensive play has been brilliant at times and when were playing like that we definitely need to put the chances away so we capitalize on our good periods." At the other end of the pitch, the Whitecaps have struggled to keep the ball out of their net at times thanks in large part to mental lapses at key moments. "I think weve been giving up some goals here and there that are our fault," said defender Jordan Harvey. "Once we clean that up I think well get the three points because weve been creating a lot of chances at home and playing really well. "We are a little frustrated with all the ties." Kansas City (11-5-6) entered the weekend tops in the Eastern Conference and has not lost in MLS play since May 31, a stretch of eight games (6-0-2). Sporting had four players take part in Wednesdays MLS all-star game against German powerhouse Bayern Munich, including defenders Aurelien Collin and Matt Besler, midfielder Graham Zusi and striker Dom Dwyer, who has 14 goals this season. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, didnt have any of their players involved in the showcase game in Portland, Ore., which seemed to suit them just fine as they look to pick up three points for the first time since a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on July 5. "Weve had a lot of draws, too many draws for my liking, and not enough wins," said Robinson. "It shows how close we are, but we just cant get over that line. Sundays a big game for us." Hes hopeful a good result in that big game will also give the Whitecaps the confidence moving forward as they look to climb back up the standings "Its a good test for this young group," Robinson said. "I think if we can give them a good game and show what were capable of — like we have most home games this year — were in with a chance. "If we do that do that hopefully we get better luck and get a victory." Notes: The Whitecaps bolstered their backline Friday by officially announcing the signing of defender Kendall Waston. The six-foot-five centre back joins Vancouver from Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa. ... Kansas City has won five straight road games, and a sixth Sunday would tie the club with the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes for most consecutive away wins in MLS history during the non-shootout era (2000-present). ... The Whitecaps next game is Aug. 16 at Chivas USA, while Kansas City hosts Toronto FC the same day. . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. . It is unclear how long Kallstrom, who was brought in to alleviate the teams midfield problems, will be sidelined. Arsenals communications director, Mark Gonnella, says the club decided to proceed with Kallstroms signing despite the injury. . Three days after falling to Hamilton, Abbotsford scored three goals in 53 seconds en route to a convincing 5-1 win over the Bulldogs Saturday in American Hockey League play. . Heavily-criticized after allowing a dozen goals on 58 shots in two games in Boston, Luongo continued his dominance at home. Hes now allowed two goals in three home games in this series. . Or at least on everyone elses expectations. Costa Rica followed up its surprise win over Uruguay with another World Cup stunner on Friday, beating four-time champion Italy 1-0 to secure a spot in the next round and eliminate England in the process.MALELANE, South Africa -- Charl Schwartzel opened a two-shot lead after three rounds at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. The defending champion shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to move to 13 under and pull away from Englands Richard Finch at Leopard Creek. Victor Riu of France was another shot back at 10 under. Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, led after three rounds at the South African Open last weekend before slipping up on the final day. He carded five birdies and no bogeys to lead outright with a round to play at the Alfred Dunhill, which he won by a dominant 12 shots a year ago for his last European Tour win and only victory on the circuit since the triumph at the 2011 Masters. He had five birdies and no bogeys to take the lead. Schwartzels co-overnight leader, Morten Orum Madsen, shot a 7-over 79. After expressing his displeasure with the second-round pin placements at the Alfred Dunhill, Schwartzel avoided any slipups in his third round and has not dropped a shot since the 10th hole of his opening round. "If I had really putted well today it could have been very low," Schwartzel said.dddddddddddd "The good thing is that I know its there. It very easily could have been low but it was still a solid round of golf and this is still a tough golf course." Finch and Riu also put themselves into contention with 5-under 67s, with Finch also avoiding any dropped shots and adding five birdies. Riu had six birdies and just a single drop on No. 18. Frenchman Romain Wattel is fourth on 9 under and Denmarks Soren Hansen fifth on 8 under. South African Hennie Otto -- second behind Madsen in the new 2014 Race to Dubai standings -- is tied for sixth with Englands Ross Fisher on 7 under, five back from Schwartzel. PGA Tour regular Brendon de Jonge is making steady progress and up to a tie for eighth on 6 under with a 68. Early money list leader Madsen had a disastrous third round after sharing the halfway lead with Schwartzel. The Dane had four bogeys going out and three bogeys and a double bogey coming home, and only two birdies. ' ' '
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