The Vancouver Whitecaps defeated FC Dallas 2-0 on Saturday, temporarily extending their lead in the Western Conference playoff race to four points over the Portland Timbers. The Timbers would claw that lead back to just one point late Saturday night when they defeated the San Jose Earthquakes by a score of 2-1. THE FORMATIONS For the third game running, Whitecapsa€? head coach Carl Robinson named an unchanged lineup. The 4-2-3-1 formation has served Vancouver well over the last three games, where the club has picked up six out of nine available points. FC Dallas made one change to the team that beat the Seattle Sounders 3-1 last week, with Ryan Hollingshead replacing Jair Benitez in midfield, and they lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. THE GAME The Whitecaps started the game brightly, carrying on from where they left off the previous week in their 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. Their high pressure in midfield paid off early in the first half, as Sebastian Fernandez scored in the 14th and 18th minutes to put Vancouver in control of the match. Fernandeza€?s first goal was an unlikely one, as the diminutive Uruguayan out-jumped Je-Vaughn Watson to head home Mauro Rosalesa€? cross. Dallas goalkeeper Raul Fernandez got a hand on the header, but couldna€?t keep it from nestling in the top corner of his goal. Vancouvera€?s second goal highlighted their tenacity in midfield and their quickness in transition. Pedro Morales a€“ usually renowned for his pinpoint passing and control of the ball, rather than for his tough tackling a€“ harassed Moises Hernandez into a turnover, with Rosales picking up the lose ball and then driving at Matt Hedges and Zach Lloyd. Rosales stalled his run long enough to allow Fernandez to jump into the attack, and after Rosales slid the ball into Fernandeza€?s path, the winger took one touch to set himself before poking the ball beyond his namesake in the Dallas goal. It was all the Whitecaps would need to secure a precious three points in the Western Conference playoff race. FC Dallas offered very little buildup play through central midfield on Saturday, where neither Michel nor Victor Ulloa did much to support Blas Perez and David Texeira offensively. If their buildup play didna€?t come down the flanks through Andres Escobar, Perez and Texeira often had to drop into midfield themselves to get the ball. This made the defensive side of the game relatively straightforward for Whitecapsa€? defenders Andy Oa€?Brien and Kendall Waston. The absence of both Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz for Dallas was a mitigating factor for the visitors; both players are very influential for Dallas, although Diaz has played sparingly this season due to injury. This turned out to be a blessing for the Whitecaps, who really only had to contain Perez and Texeira to ensure David Ousted kept his 10th clean sheet of the season. THE GOOD There were some excellent performances from Vancouver. Ousted was solid in goal and dealt with everything that came his way with ease. The back four were strong in the second half after they got a bit of a talking to at half time for being a little slack in the opening 45 minutes. The goal in every game for a defender is to keep a clean sheet, and in this respect the Whitecaps back four plus Ousted certainly delivered. In midfield, Matias Laba was excellent, while beside him Russell Teibert had a quietly effective game. Neither player had as much to do as they did against RSL the previous week, but they nonetheless were tireless in their defensive work in front of the back four. The attacking midfield trio of Rosales, Morales and Sebastian Fernandez were a thorn in Dallasa€? side all game. Their movement and interplay was delightful at times, and all three linked well with striker Erik Hurtado. His performance was arguably his best of the season, and while he didna€?t score, he held the ball up really well and constantly threatened the Dallas back four with his pace. THE BAD Fernandez picked up a yellow card late in the game, meaning that he will be suspended for Fridaya€?s crucial game in Seattle against the Sounders. Suspensions could prove to be a big factor for Vancouver over the last three games of the regular season, as Morales, Teibert and left back Jordan Harvey will all be suspended if they pick up another yellow card. THE STAR MAN Fernandez deserves praise for his two-goal performance, as do the others mentioned above. But on reflection, the best player on the pitch was 33-year old Rosales. The Argentinian has achieved a great deal in his career, but he puts himself about like hea€?s a 19-year old trying to earn his first contract. His work rate was tireless, his distribution superb, and it was fitting that he picked up assists for both of Fernandeza€?s goals. Vancouvera€?s next game is in Seattle to take on the league-leading Sounders on Friday, Oct. 10 (10pm et/7pm pt on TSN1, TSN3, TSN4 and TSN5).
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Denver Nuggets Jerseys . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Dikembe-Mutombo-Nuggets-Jersey/. -- Adam Tambellini scored three times and set up one more as the Calgary Hitmen won their sixth in a row by crushing the host Lethbridge Hurricanes 8-1 on Saturday in Western Hockey League play.
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Gary Harris Nuggets Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, Brodeurs agent Pat Brisson has spoken to six teams so far regarding the veteran goaltender.SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point guard is nursing a balky left ankle. "Hes getting better every day, and I expect him to play," coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. Parker aggravated the injury Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonios series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Parker didnt practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back Wednesday. Parker is averaging a team-leading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this post-season but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds. "I always try to be honest with Pop," Parker said. "He knows, but if Im 50 per cent Ill try to play. If Im under 50 per cent, we can argue." Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonios second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the time. "I dont like to talk about when Im hurt," he said. "I played on it for the whole series against Portland. Thats why I think my hamstring got hurt because I was playing on a bad ankle." Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to miss the rest of the Spurs series-clinching victory. He did not miss any of the Western Conference finals because of his hamstring.dddddddddddd But he aggravated the ankle injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City. "I twisted it again, but didnt say anything," Parker said. "Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like, Thats enough. Its perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be ready for Game 1." San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to its sixth finals appearance. Parker said he wanted to return for the second half, but was overruled by Popovich and the teams medical staff. "I wanted to play. I wanted to play," Parker said. "Pop was like, No, we never know for Game 7. So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to prepare for the finals." Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he was less than 50 per cent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that was supposed to keep the Thunders Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference finals -- but didnt. "Its too early -- hes either 50 per cent or out for the rest of the playoffs," Popovich said. "One of the two . I had to do it. Ill never do it again, I promise. Were done with that joke." ' ' '
