Dein erstes Forum » cost Smith his job as the teams starting qu

April was always going to be a big test for the new-look Vancouver Whitecaps with games against some of Major League Soccers top teams. After back-to-back matches against LA Galaxy, the Caps now head to Rio Tinto Stadium - a place where they have never won - to face Real Salt Lake, the only remaining unbeaten team in Major League Soccer this season. The Form: The Whitecaps are winless in their last three matches, but after a hard fought defeat at LA and a 2-2 draw against the Galaxy at home, there are clear signs the team is growing under new head coach Carl Robinson. "In the last two games weve shown we can compete against one of the top teams in Major League Soccer," said Robinson. "Now its another great challenge for us. You look at the fixtures weve had and its been tricky against good teams. We get another big test. They are a squad that has been together for the last couple of years so its another marker to see where we are." The Big Question: Will Kekuta Manneh start? The 19-year-old has appeared in every match this season but has started only once. The young Gambian was impressive coming on as a half time substitute against LA Galaxy at BC Place a week ago. He injected life into the Whitecaps attack and scored the game-tying goal with a fantastic strike with just four minutes left to play. "I toyed with the idea of playing him from the start, said Robinson. "Me, being a young head coach thought is it better to be in the game and then unleash him on them." Theres no doubt Manneh has loads of talent and will have a big future in the game. But there is also still plenty that he needs to learn. Robinson doesnt want to rush the youngster, and acknowledges he needs to improve his defensive qualities before he becomes a regular starter. This is a long-term project. Robinson wants to build the Whitecaps around some fantastic young players, a job that doesnt need to be rushed. Manneh will continue to get his chance at the right times. That also applies for Erik Hurtado. The speedster was drafted along with Manneh in the first round in 2013. Hes still waiting for his first MLS goal, but was another big spark in the second half against LA when he came on as a substitute last week. "Hes been training very well over the last two or three weeks and from where he was last year to where he is now, it is night and day for the kid," said Robinson when asked about Hurtados form. "If he continues to push hell get plenty of opportunities." The Lineup: Aside from whether Manneh will come into the starting lineup, one of the other big decisions for head coach Carl Robinson is in defence. Its extremely likely that Robinson will select Johnny Leveron in the team after bringing the Honduran on at halftime of the draw against the Galaxy. Robinson has made no secret of the fact that he admires the qualities Leveron possesses, particularly his ability with the ball at his feet. The Hondurans abilities match the way Robinson wants his team to play. Leverons only start this season was at New England where the Whitecaps registered their only clean sheet so far. On that day he was beside Andy OBrien. It will be interesting to see which one of the veterans - OBrien or Jay DeMerit - is replaced if Leveron gets the call to start. The Opposition: Stability has been a major factor in the success of Real Salt Lake over recent years. Despite losing head coach Jason Kreis at the end of last season when he departed to join expansion club New York City FC, RSL has started the season strongly under new head coach Jeff Cassar. He may be in his first season as manager, but Cassar has been at the club since 2007 and was a key part of Kreis coaching staff. They have also managed to keep a core group of players together over the last few seasons. Eleven of Salt Lakes current squad have been with the club for five years of longer. Real Salt Lakes 1-0 win at home to Portland Timbers last week leaves them four points ahead of the Whitecaps heading into Saturdays match. Their clean sheet against the Timbers was their fourth of the season, in just seven matches. Veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando was the star of the show, winning the MLS Player of the Week award for his performance. The Odds: One of the areas the Whitecaps will need to improve upon if they are to make the playoffs this season is picking up points against Western Conference opposition. Both of Vancouvers wins so far wins this season have come against the East (New York and Houston). From four matches against Western opponents, they have two draws and two defeats. History isnt on the Whitecaps side as they head to Utah - theyve only won two of eight previous meetings against RSL, and have never won at Rio Tinto Stadium with three losses and a tie from their last four visits. With RSLs strong start to the season, the home team will be heavy favourites heading into the match, but the Caps showed against LA a couple of weeks ago they have the potential to go toe-to-toe with the leagues top teams, even on the road. Where to Watch: Vancouver Whitecaps at Real Salt Lake is live on CTV2 BC on Saturday at 6:30pm pt/9:30pm et. Tre Madden Jersey . Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley told local media in comments published Wednesday that John Tomic would not be allowed into Melbourne Park in any official capacity or as a spectator. Will Dissly Jersey . The 20-year-old overager has appeared in 35 games for the Ontario Hockey Leagues Erie Otters this season, scoring 41 goals and adding 27 assists with a plus-28 rating. http://www.officialseattleseahawksfootba...n-jersey-womens. -- San Francisco 49ers offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman is a finalist to replace Joe Paterno at Penn State, his agent said Monday. Chris Carson Jersey . According to MMAFighting.com, MacDonald needs an x-ray on his right ankle and doctors clearance to fight or he will be subject to a mandatory medical suspension that will end on August 22, 2014. Bradley McDougald Jersey . Jacobs scored two in the first end, but Jahr briefly took charge with two in the second end and two more in the third. Jacobs, from Sault. Marie, Ont., gave Canada some breathing room, following his big fourth end by adding two more points in the fifth to go up 7-4.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Geno Smith knows many fans have already moved on from him.With the New York Jets sitting at a dreadful 2-11, the race is on for the No. 1 draft pick — and possibly Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston coming to town as the teams new quarterback.To some fans, the Jets game at Tennessee on Sunday offers the franchise a chance to lose and have a better shot at that top selection — a notion that offends Smith.Yeah, a little bit, but I cant worry about it, Smith said Wednesday. Im just going out there and do what I have to do to win the game. I cant make any decisions on anything other than that. So yeah, I just focus on doing my job.At a charity event in Manhattan on Tuesday, Smith told Newsday that he has shown flashes of being a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback during his mostly shaky two NFL seasons.The statement likely made many fans roll their eyes, especially considering Smith has thrown 33 interceptions — including eight returned for TDs — and is 9-17 as a starter.When I was talking about it, I was speaking on consistency, Smith clarified Wednesday. That was my main key, is that I feel like I have the tools and I have what it takes to be that, but obviously, it takes consistency and Ive been very inconsistent in my two years here.It remains to be seen whether that lack of consistency will cost Smith his job as the teams starting quarterback — or even a spot on the roster. With the futures of coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik uncertain, a new regime could have its own plans.Ryan smiled when he was asked about Smiths declaration that he has shown flashes of Pro Bowl-type play.Yeah, Ryan said with a pause. And then, he hasnt.Ryan went on to praise Smiths confidence and work ethic, saying he wants his players to strive to be among the leagues best. He also insisted that Smith is working toward being a consistent performer.Still, the Pro Bowl seems a long way off for a playeer who has a 68.dddddddddddd0 quarterback rating with eight touchdown passes and 12 interceptions during a season many believed Smith would be better.Ryan said its really unfair to say whether Smith can be a top quarterback in the league because the sample size is still too small to make a definitive judgment.He does have a lot of God-given ability, Ryan said. He can move and he has a good arm. He has the arm talent to play in this league, without question, and now he is working on those other things.Wide receiver Percy Harvin came to the Jets in October from Seattle, where he played with Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson and won a Super Bowl. Harvin has seen enough from Smith in two months to make a positive evaluation.I definitely think Genos going to be a starter — a great starter — in this league, Harvin said. I think he definitely has all the tools, the work ethic, so if (the Pro Bowl) is his goal, I dont see why he cant reach it.It wasnt long ago — about 17 months — that Jets fans were clamouring for Smith to start as a rookie over Mark Sanchez. Smith, a second-round pick, was the new guy in town and Sanchez was old news. Smith saw what Sanchez went through as far as the critics before being lost for the year in the preseason with a shoulder injury.It was tough on Mark, it was tough on all of us, Smith said. It was tough on me. Im not going to sit here and say Im immune to it. But my demeanour is to always work harder and stand firm and believe in myself, so Im not going to ever waver in no way.Smith has suddenly found himself in the same situation Sanchez was in. He has no idea what his football future holds, but he has three more games to end the season on a good note — as he did last season.The only thing that I can try to do, Smith said, is those that dont believe in me, try to win them over by playing well.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '