VANCOUVER - Around this time last year, the Vancouver Whitecaps displayed considerable bravado as they aspired to place among the top teams in MLS. [url=http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Rashan-gary-packers-jerse y/]Rashan Gary Super Bowl Jersey[/url] . But in 2014, the Whitecaps will have a

VANCOUVER - Around this time last year, the Vancouver Whitecaps displayed considerable bravado as they aspired to place among the top teams in MLS. Rashan Gary Super Bowl Jersey . But in 2014, the Whitecaps will have a new coach, a new look and less attitude, starting with Saturdays season-opener against the powerhouse New York Red Bulls at B.C. Place Stadium. Watch the Whitecaps vs. Red Bulls live on TSN tonight at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. "Were all looking ahead with a cautious optimism," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said before the team held its final pre-season practice Friday. The Whitecaps finished seventh in the Western Conference with a 13-12-9 record in 2013 after becoming the first Canadian team to make the playoffs the year before. New York, which features a star-studded lineup, finished first overall with a 17-9-8 mark. Carl Robinson, a former Whitecaps assistant coach, will try to excel in the top job after Martin Rennie was fired at the end of the last campaign. "Obviously, with a new coach coming in, theres going to be a transition, but hes had a full pre-season to work with a majority of the guys," said Lenarduzzi. "And then, getting the guys that weve added over the course of the pre-season, therell still be I would think a required time for players to gel and for the newer guys to get to know Carl and his coaching staff and their teammates." Robinson has brought in several new players from South America and Europe, including new designated player Pedro Morales, a Chilean midfielder who was signed earlier this week. "We dont want to put too many unrealistic expectations on him, but were hopeful that hes going to produce and well see results of that in goals and assists," said Lenarduzzi. "But ultimately what were looking for from him is to bring out the best in players around him." Other prominent newcomers include attacking Nicolas Mezquida and Sebastian Fernandez, who both hail from Uruguay, and Mattias Laba of Argentina, a designated player who was acquired from Toronto FC. Vancouvers acquisitions have paled in comparison to TFCs splashy off-season signings, but Lenarduzzi did not feel pressured to match them. "I dont think any team in the league feels the pressure to match $100 million spent on three players," he said. As a result of the changes, the Whitecaps lineup features players from 16 countries, who bring diverse skill levels, backgrounds and languages. "Football is a global sport," said Lenarduzzi. "The language barriers? I dont believe they are barriers. Obviously when you get on the field youd like to be able to communicate with your teammates. But really, if youre good players, your ability will do the talking for you." Lenarduzzi is hopeful that Robinson, 37, a former Welsh international player who toiled in England and in MLS with Toronto and New York, will be able to get his message across. Known as a strong communicator, Robinson developed close relationships with players in his assistants role and, according to Lenarduzzi, succeeded in getting them to accept what they sometimes did not like to hear about their play. "Now that hes the head coach, hes the guy where the buck stops," said Lenarduzzi. "So it wont be the same as it was the previous two years. Itll be different. But Im encouraged that up until now hes maintained his willingness to communicate with the guys." Lenarduzzi also likes the fact that Robinson stresses a possession-oriented, attacking style of play while still requiring the club to display a disciplined defensive structure, and "puts a premium" on young players. "We havent kicked the ball in anger yet, so were not getting carried away," said Lenarduzzi. "We think weve got a good squad of players. But if he applies all of those things then I think weve got an opportunity to make the playoffs this year, which is really our objective." The quest for a post-season berth became more difficult following the departure of striker Camilo Sanvezzo — who led MLS with 22 goals last season — to Queretaro of the Mexican League. Camilo angered the club by donning the Mexican teams jersey while he was still a Whitecap and a transfer was eventually negotiated. "The hope is that two players or, more than likely, three players will help pick up that (scoring) slack," said Lenarduzzi. One likely source of more offence is striker Darren Mattocks, who had a disappointing sophomore season marred by injuries, inconsistent play and international absences that limited him to just three goals. Lenarduzzi also hopes to get "10-plus" goals from striker-midfielder Kekuta Manneh, a gifted 19-year-old scorer who was used sparingly in his rookie season but still found the net six times in only 764 minutes of action over 20 games. "What I dont think we want to do is heighten the expectations of Kekuta," said Lenarduzzi. "Hes a very good player, and he proved that late last season." Former Scottish international striker Kenny Miller will be expected to produce early as he plays on an unusual six-month contract that could see him leave the team in mid-season. "Kenny will need to do what he did the first half of last season and if thats the case, then certainly thats going to encourage us to keep him around," said Lenarduzzi. Striker Omar Salgado, 20, the teams first-ever MLS draft choice who has missed most of the past two seasons with foot injuries, could also help make up for Camilos absence, depending on how much playing time he can earn after his long layoff. Ultimately, Vancouvers scoring prowess could hinge on Robinson, also a former Red Bulls assistant coach, who was not managements first choice to replace Rennie. "Im excited. I really am," Robinson told reporters this week. "But Im trying to keep a calm head on my shoulders in (the dressing room) and in front of the guys." Notes: The Whitecaps loaned five players, including seventh-overall 2014 draft pick Andre Lewis, to the second-tier Charleston Battery on Friday. Lenarduzzi said the Whitecaps made the move to ensure that Lewis, a 19-year-old midfielder from Spanish Town, Jamaica, gets plenty of playing time. Strikers Mamadou Diouf and Marlon Ramirez, midfielder Aminu Abdallah and defender Jackson Farmer were also sent to Charleston. … Vancouver beat New York in their lone meeting last season. The Whitecaps are unbeaten (1-0-2) against the Red Bulls in three all-time games. Adrian Amos Super Bowl Jersey . The Maple Leafs handed their embattled head coach a two-year contract extension on Thursday, while at the same time announcing that assistants Dave Farrish, Greg Cronin and Scott Gordon will not be back. Packers Super Bowl Jerseys . The 19-year-old Swiss centre back will initially have to impress in Uniteds reserve side to earn a spot in the first team. Veseli says "Manchester United has a long history of younger players coming through and hopefully I can follow and do the same. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Kenny-clark-packers-jersey/ . New York Red Bulls. TSN primes Vancouver fans for the start of the 2014 season with MLS on TSN: Season Preview Special airing tonight at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt on TSN2 (encore Friday at 3:30pm et/12:30pm pt on TSN2).LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Davis had 28 points and 15 rebounds, Eric Gordon also scored 28 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Los Angeles Lakers 132-125 Tuesday night to snap an eight-game losing streak. Brian Roberts scored 10 of his 19 points for New Orleans during a 1 1/2-minute span in the fourth quarter. Tyreke Evans had 24 points and 11 assists, helping the Pelicans salvage the finale of a five-game road trip that included a 32-point loss to the Clippers on Saturday night at Staples Center. The win ended a string of nine straight road losses to the Lakers and was only the third for New Orleans in the last 18 meetings overall -- including a 96-85 victory Nov. 8 in which Davis had a career-high 32 points. Pau Gasol had 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who were attempting to match their longest winning streak of the season after beating Sacramento last Friday and Portland on Monday. The loss was their 27th in 35 games and dropped them back into sole possession of last place in the Western Conference, a half-game behind Sacramento and Utah. Newcomer Kent Bazemore had 23 points and Jordan Farmer added 20 off the bench for Los Angeles. Xavier Henry, playing his second game after missing the previous 28 because of a bone bruise on his right knee, had 12 points in 14 minutes. Gordons jumper gave New Orleans a 74-53 advantage with 9:54 left in the third quarter, but the Lakers narrowed the gap to 91-85 on Ryan Kellys 15-footer with 1:12 left in the period. That was as close as they got until a late push. Gasol made one of two free throws to cut New Orleans lead to 128-125 with 18.1 seconds to go. Gordon sank two foul shots at the other end, andd Bazemore missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Geronimo Allison Super Bowl Jersey. Anthony Morrow hit two foul shots with 11 seconds remaining to close out the scoring. Roberts made a 3-pointer, a 14-footer and five free throws -- three of them after getting fouled by Farmar on a 3-pointer -- to help the Pelicans open a 114-104 lead with 5:59 left. The Lakers had pulled to 97-93 on a fast-break layup by MarShon Brooks with 9 1/2 minutes to play. Davis helped the Pelicans take a 67-51 halftime lead with 19 points. The first-time All-Star made seven of his first eight shots, one night after missing his first 10 in a 96-89 loss at Sacramento while playing with a sore left shoulder. Gasol scored the Lakers first 13 points and had 17 by halftime. Starting point guard Kendall Marshall played 22 scoreless minutes with 10 assists -- the fourth time in the last four games that he didnt have a point. NOTES: The Lakers won a season-best three in a row Nov. 17-24, beating Detroit, Golden State and Sacramento -- all at home. ... The Pelicans begin a six-game homestand Friday night against Milwaukee, the last team they had defeated back on Feb. 12. ... The Lakers have only 10 home wins, one fewer than on the road. The closest theyve ever come to finishing a season with more wins on the road than at home was 1959-60, the franchises final season in Minneapolis, when they won nine at home and nine on the road during a 75-game schedule that included neutral-site games. ... Bazemore, a little-used reserve with the Warriors before he was obtained along with Brooks on Feb. 19, is averaging 17.1 points in his first six NBA starts since coming to L.A. ... Lakers guard Jodie Meeks had 17 points. ' ' '