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ZURICH, Switzerland -- World Cup quarterfinalist Costa Rica has risen above the United States to be CONCACAFs highest-ranked team in the latest FIFA rankings. Costa Rica climbs one place to No. 15, and Mexico is at No. 17 after also rising one place this month. The U.S. -- which, like Mexico, exited the World Cup in the second round -- falls three places to No. 18. Although none of the CONCACAF rivals played last month, the moves reflect changing values of past results in the four-year cycle of matches FIFA uses in its calculations. For the first time, the rankings weigh South America as the strongest confederation ahead of UEFA. World Cup winner Germany stays No. 1 ahead of Argentina and the Netherlands. Canada fell four spots to No. 122, one spot below Tajikistan and Central African Republic and just ahead of Guinea-Bissau. Former champion Spain is tied with Brazil for seventh place. . More importantly, he is trying to show his young teammates the Colorado are still post-season contenders. He hopes winning a series at home was a fresh start. . However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. .Hammel pitched inside more and it helped him get into the seventh inning as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Friday night. . -- The Oakland Raiders added a veteran presence to their young receiving group by signing free agent James Jones to a three-year contract Monday. . A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press the Steelers will part ways with the former Pro Bowler, a move that hardly serves as a surprise after fifth-year linebacker Jason Worilds agreed to accept a "transition player" tag last week.The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenceman Dmitry Orlov to a two-year contract extension. The 22-year-old will earn $1.75 million during the 2014-15 season and $2.25 million in 2015-16 for a annual average value of $2 million. Orlov has scored three goals and six assists with 19 penalty minutes in 38 games with the Capitals this season. In 103 career NHLL games with Washington, Orlov has scored six goals and added 23 assists.dddddddddddd The Novokuznetsk, Russia, native helped lead Team Russia to a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championship in Buffalo and was named to the tournament All-Star team. Orlov was drafted by Washington in the second round (55th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. ' ' '
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