VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps will be without their top central defender
Saturday when they host the New England Revolution.
Cheap NFL
Jerseys Free Shipping . Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie said Tuesday
he does not expect Andy OBrien to play. OBrien suffered a hamstring injury in a
weekend loss at Seattle, and remains out indefinitely. His absence leaves the
Whitecaps with a shortage at central defender due to injuries. Captain Jay
DeMerit (ruptured Achilles) is out indefinitely while Brad Rusin (calf) is at
least two weeks away from returning, and Carlyle Mitchell, recalled from
lower-tier Edmonton, is recuperating from an ankle injury. "Its just the
timing," Rennie of the impact of the injuries. "Its unfortunate that theyre all
hurt at the same time. Ive never really seen that. In recent times, there was
one or two players in similar positions. "But to lose four is tough. Its hard to
deal with." OBriens injury resulted two days after the Whitecaps traded
versatile veteran Alain Rochat, who has experience playing central defender, to
D.C. United for a pair of draft picks. Rennie said an MRI showed that OBriens
injury "doesnt seem too major," but there is no timeline for his return.
Mitchell, who described himself as 75- to 80-per-cent fit, is the most likely
candidate to replace OBrien. "His ankle seems to be getting stronger, so thats
an encouraging thing for us," said Rennie. "Obviously, weve got a lot of players
out at that particular position. So there could be an opportunity for him.
Hopefully, hell come through this week well, and hell be ready to go." Mitchell,
a 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago native who has represented his country
internationally, played at total of five games for Vancouver in 2011 and 2012,
but was loaned to Edmonton at the start of the season in order to get more
playing time. He expressed a willingness to play hurt, if necessary. The
Whitecaps (4-5-4) sit seventh in the Western Conference while the Revolution,
5-4-5 before Wednesdays home game against New York, are also below the playoff
bar in the East. "Its a big challenge stepping in this weekend," Mitchell said.
"But its all about three points (for a win), and Ill do anything to get three
points, so the injury doesnt matter now." But the Whitecaps will be hard-pressed
to replace OBriens experience, leadership and calm, steady play. He has
quarterbacked the back line, barking out instructions to teammates to get in the
proper position while playing every game this season and starting all but one.
Mitchell is expected to play alongside an unfamiliar partner in fellow central
defender Johnny Leveron, a Honduran international who has recently established a
place in the lineup as a result of Rusins injuries. Rusin suffered a concussion
before hurting his calf. Rennie said Mitchell, whom Edmonton coach Colin Miller
has described as his best player, can also be vocal if called upon. But, Rennie
added, it will be necessary for players in all positions to communicate
effectively without OBrien directing the play. The Whitecaps were leading the
Sounders 2-1 in the second half before more than 53,000 fans at CenturyLink
Field when OBriens injury turned the tables in favour of the home side. His
replacement, Greg Klazura, committed a foul as a result of sloppy tackling in
the Vancouver box, enabling Seattle to tie the game 2-2 on a penalty-kick. And
another defensive breakdown by Leveron and Klazura led to Seattles winning goal
from short range. Vancouver striker Kenny Miller said OBriens injury spells a
"huge loss," because he has been a "real presence" thanks to his experience and
defensive qualities. Somebody will have to step up to fill the void, and
Mitchell has a chance to claim a permanent position. "Its about somebody coming
in with a charge," said Miller.
Cheap NFL
Jerseys Authentic . The lawyers filed a 33-page amended complaint
Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, expanding on the suit originally filed
Oct. 3 in New York Supreme Court. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz last week refused
to compel Selig to testify in the grievance, and Rodriguez then walked out of
the hearing without testifying.
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Thousands of Southern California fans enveloped the Trojans to celebrate an
improbable win secured by an interim coach, an inconsistent kicker and a thin
defence that wouldnt break.With five weeks remaining in the NFL season, three
teams remain in contention for the NFC North crown all separated by just a half
game. The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears both sit at 6-5, while the Green Bay
Packers have a record of 5-5-1, coming off a 26-26 tie with the Minnesota
Vikings. Its crunch time and one of these teams will come out on top of the
division. Which one will it be? The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are both
currently playing without their starting quarterbacks; Aaron Rodgers and
Jay Cutler. The Packers are 0-3-1 without Rodgers and the Bears are 2-3 in games
without Cutler (or when he has exited with injury). Despite the injuries to
stars within the division, the Lions have failed to pull away, winning just two
of their previous five games. The division title, and right to host a home
playoff game, could be won by any team. Both the Lions and Packers control their
own destiny; if either team wins out, theyre in. The playoff chances of the
Lions and the Packers could change dramatically when the two teams meet on
Thursday. The Packers will have Matt Flynn under centre as Rodgers continues to
rehab his broken collarbone. Flynn will be the fourth quarterback to start for
the Packers this season in Rodgers absence but does have experience against the
Lions. Flynn threw for 480 yards, six touchdowns and one interception against
the Lions on January 1, 2012 when the Packers rested Rodgers in a meaningless
game for them. Flynns career day on his second career start tied Packers records
for yards and touchdowns in a game.
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Jerseys China Wholesale. After Thursdays game, the Packers will
play the Falcons (2-9), Cowboys (6-5), Steelers (5-6) and Bears (6-5). Wins over
the Lions and Bears in the next five games would give the Packers a division
record of 4-1-1. The Lions are reeling after two straight losses to the
Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, a win over the Packers
would put them on pace to win the division with season sweeps against the
Packers and Bears and a 5-0 record in the division with a matchup against the
Vikings looming on December 29. The Lions can clinch a playoff spot by winning
out their schedule against the Packers, Eagles (6-5), Ravens (5-6), Giants (4-7)
and Vikings (2-8-1). The Bears have survived life without Cutler thanks to the
strong play of Josh McCown, who has thrown seven touchdowns and just one
interception in five games this season. However, the Bears have struggled on
defence, ranking 25th overall and dead last in the NFL against the run. The
Bears need help from the Lions to clinch the division. If the Bears win out, the
Lions must lose once in order for the Bears to make the playoffs and the Bears
remaining schedule is against the Vikings, Cowboys, Browns (4-7), Eagles and
Packers. The Bears and Packers both hope to have their starting quarterbacks
playing in the Week 14 but, with both teams playing within the division this
week, it may be too late. Thursday will provide a major clue as clue as to win
will the division. Until then, we leave it up to you. Which team will win the
NFC North? As always its Your! Call.
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