been there. I know the fans are invested, but they dont quite as emotionally invested as the players do, althoug

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. 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Manuel Lanzini Jersey .com) - Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 12 points in the top-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 70-55 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide.Former Leicester captain Matt Elliott has praised the professional approach of the current team as they close in on their first ever Premier League title success. The Foxes are seven points clear at the top of the table with just six games remaining.Claudio Ranieris side have away matches against Sunderland, Manchester United and Chelsea remaining, while West Ham, Swansea and Everton all have to visit Leicester. And with excitement building around Leicester, Elliott reckons Ranieri and his players are impressively calm.Elliott told Sky Sports News HQ: I think the players are OK, they are the only ones who seem to be keeping a cool head in and around the city of Leicester. Supporters understandably are getting carried away, some a little bit too much, but you cant blame them for that.Claudio Ranieri is trying to keep a lid on things, rightly so, and so far the players are managing to do that.Elliott played 245 games in the Foxes defence between 1997 and 2005, and he believes the current back-five have been crucial in the teams unexpected rise to the top of the table.And Leicesters ability to grind out results in the manner Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all managed in recent years has convinced the 47-year-old his old club will be crowned champions. Matt Elliott spent eight years at Leicester Elliott said: Not so long ago Chelsea were credited for opening the scoring, sitting on that lead and shutting the game out, and Leicester have pretty much done the same over the last half-dozen games, five of them have been 1-0 victories.Theyve conceded six goals in 14 games, and the way theyve turned things round, not just this season, but the back end of last season as well is miraculous. They are looking good.I watch them every week home and away, and I get a good understanding of how the players are, and they have been mightily impressive. I do expect them to go and see it through, but a lot of hard work is to be done.Elliott is an admirer of the central defensive partnership between Robert Huth and Jamaica international Wes Morgan. Leicester defenders Robert Huth (left) and Wes Morgan Morgan scored the only goal of the game against Southampton at the weekend, but Elliott believes the discipline of the duo has inspired others in the team.ddddddddddddlliott said: He is just one of a number, but he does typify everything that is good about Leicester City. What a lot of people dont realise is Wes went through the whole summer without a break.He had two international breaks, not just one, for Jamaica and had literally a weeks break. Tottenham can still catch Leicester, according to Ledley King Hes come through it, played every game and been immense at the back alongside Robert Huth and the rest of the back four. Hes getting all the attention at the moment for scoring the winner at the weekend. Its his turn, other players will have their turn as well, its a collective effort from Leicester.The stats are there, clean sheets, theyre helping and assisting with those alongside the whole team, they defend very well as a complete unit, but those two have been steadfast. Defending balls in the box they are as good as any in the Premier League.A lot of people were a little bit sceptical, would they be able to work as a partnership? But theyve certainly proved any doubters wrong. Get Sky Sports Join us and watchTORONTO - Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has cleared up the uncertainty surrounding president and chief executive officer Tim Leiwekes long-term future with the company. He will stay in the position until June 30, 2015 or until a new CEO is found, MLSE said Thursday in a statement. "Under Tims leadership, MLSE has made a number of key moves to strengthen our organization on the path to championship success," said MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum. "We look forward to working closely with Tim to build on this foundation and further accelerate our momentum as we seek a new leader for MLSE." The Toronto-based sports organization counts the NHLs Maple Leafs, NBAs Raptors, AHLs Marlies and Toronto FC of Major League Soccer among its properties. The search for Leiwekes successor is underway, MLSE said in the statement. Leiwekes future with MLSE has been a hot topic this week after a report indicated he would "soon" be leaving the company. He denied the report, called the rumours a distraction and said he was focused on the teams current and upcoming seasons. However, Leiweke, who joined MLSE in April 2013 and is reportedly under contract for five years, did not reveal his long-term plans. He also did not say how long he wanted to stay in the position. That became much more clear Thursday morning when MLSE issued a five-paragraph statement. Once he leaves, the longtime sports executive plans to pursue his goal of owning and operating his own business. "Its an honour to lead MLSE, a world-class organization in a city and a country so passionate about sports," he said. "But with new opportunities on the horizon, its time for me to begin the transition from sports and entertainment executive to entrepreneur. "Right now, my total focus is here at MLSE and I look forward to working with the Board and MLSE team to continue strengthening our franchises while ensuring a smooth transition to a new leader." Until his successor is found, the company will continue to operate with its current executive management structure. The statement did not say whether Leiwekes successor would also assume his title of president. A decision on that would be made at a later date, an MLSE spokesperson said in an email. "Ive always told everyone Im not here forever," Leiweke said Wednesday during a brief media availability at the Air Canada Centre galleria. "My job is to change the culture and get it headed in the right direction." Leiweke has helped guide dramatic change at all levels during his 16 months at the helm. In May of last year, he lured NBA executive of the year Masai Ujiri away from the Denver Nuggets. Two months later, he restructured the senior management team at MLSE. Leiweke then turned his attention to Toronto FC, firing president and general manager Kevin Payne and later hiring Tim Bezbatchenko as GM. On the NBA front, the Raptors announced plans for a two-year rebranding effort last fall, named local rapper Drake as their global ambassador and Toronto landed the 2016 NBA all-star game. Toronto FC underwent a roster makeover over the winter, landing Jermain Defoe, Gilberto and Michael Bradley while bringing back former league MVP Dwayne De Rosario. In April, the Maple Leafs brought in former star player Brendan Shanahan to oversee all team operations as club president and alternate governor. The teams have had mixed results under Leiwekes watch. The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs last spring but the Raptors claimed the Atlantic Division title and returned to the post-season for the first time in six years. Toronto FC, meanwhile, is in third place in the Eastern Conference standings and could make the playoffs. Leiwekes pro sports business career has spanned over 30 years. He previously worked as president and CEO of AEG, which owns the NHLs Los Angeles Kings, NBAs Lakers and the Galaxy of MLS. He joined the Kings as president in 1996 and became president and CEO of AEG Worldwide in 2001. Leiweke also previously served as president and CEO of U.S. Skiing and has worked for the NBAs Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves as well as the St. Louis Steamers of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Kurt Warner Womens Jersey .ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. Hakeem Butler Womens Jersey .Y. -- The New York Islanders were merely content with a lopsided victory. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/Youth-Pat-Tillman-Cardinals-Jersey/ . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork. Kurt Warner Youth Jersey . The Philadelphia left fielder clubbed a tiebreaking, solo home run in the seventh inning, and the Phillies edged the Red Sox, 2-1, in the middle test of a three-game interleague series at Citizens Bank Park. Byron Murphy Cardinals Jersey . - Vince Carter, heading into his 17th NBA season, doesnt consider age a big issue anymore.TORONTO – Brandon Morrow is back with the Blue Jays. Not to pitch, though, as hes not close to a return to the mound, but as he progresses in his rehabilitation from a torn tendon sheath in his right index finger, its time to come under the closer watch of the ballclubs medical and training staff. Throwing once again, Morrow shared that there is no “drop dead” date to determine whether hell need surgery on the injury, a procedure which would end his season and possibly his tenure in Toronto. “I would take it as far as until it went out again, until it tore,” said Morrow. “If it tore, it would probably take the other pulley with it and then I would need to get it fixed. Im just going to take it up until that point and not worry about it.” Often when an athlete gets injured, hes out of sight, out of mind. The team must go on without him. Little thought is paid to the hours of rehab required. It can get lonely and boring for the guy going through it. The situation can be made worse depending on the type of injury sustained. For Morrow its a finger, which is especially limiting. Following the first two weeks of recovery, during which his right hand was completely immobilized by a splint, he began with pinching exercises using clothespins and putty. For one to two hours, three days a week, Morrow was at a Phoenix-area clinic working through his program with others who suffered similar hand and wrist injuries. A number of people with carpal tunnel syndrome were classmates. Morrows gym work was limited to lower-body strength exercises. He could still work his shoulders using two and three-pound weights, being careful with his grip. After about a month, he resumed an upper body regimen. For the last five days, Morrow has been throwing a baseball. Hes just playing catch at this point; from 45 feet for four days, exteending to 60 feet on Tuesday afternoon.ddddddddddddHis finger is far from 100 per cent, not in pain, but still stiff. “It actually feels better after I throw,” said Morrow. “It kind of loosens it up and the range of motion gets better. Its been great. Throwing has been good for the last week.” Morrow would sit on his couch and watch the Blue Jays. Its strange being a member of a team but being so far away from your mates. Morrow was close to four thousand kilometres away, staring at a TV. “You kind of feel like that, you kind of feel like a fan,” said Morrow. “But obviously you know a little bit more of whats going on in the game. You feel the emotions a little bit more because youve been there. I know the fans are invested, but they dont quite as emotionally invested as the players do, although some might say they do. Sometimes its hard to watch because you cant help out.” Morrow would like to return as a starter. What isnt clear is how long hell need to get back up on a mound. That wont be happening anytime soon and hes been down long enough that hell need another spring training-like experience to get his arm stretched out. Regardless, in the final guaranteed year of his deal (the Blue Jays hold a $10 million option for 2015 thats unlikely to be picked up), he wants to play a role in a pennant drive. Hes motivated. “Thats really what youve got to use,” said Morrow. “Theres nothing else to motivate you. When you look up and see them keep winning everyday it gives you a better chance at doing that. I dont think Ive ever pitched in a pennant race so it was exciting, even for me sitting at home and watching, to watch them win.” Morrow will remain with the Blue Jays until such time as he heads out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Hell be here for a while. ' ' ' the race for the Premier League live on Sky Sports. Fast and easy online upgrade ' ' '