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Back in late October of last year, the Vancouver Whitecaps began their search for a new head coach. Chris Bassitt Jersey . Martin Rennie – who joined the club in August 2011 with a reputation as a young, up and coming manager - had just been fired after failing to lead the club to a second consecutive playoff berth. The Whitecaps were understandably hesitant to go with another young, up and coming manager; they wanted an experienced coach to guide their early steps in Major League Soccer. Their view was that the club needed someone in charge who not only had experience, but who also knew the league inside and out. MLS has proven to be a difficult league for foreign managers to come to grips with, given the single entity structure and salary cap restrictions that are in place. After the Chicago Fire snapped up Vancouverite Frank Yallop to be their new coach, the leading candidate for the Whitecaps job was former United States mens national team coach, Bob Bradley. He certainly fit the bill; over three decades of coaching experience, with stints in charge of the Chicago Fire, New York/New Jersey Metro Stars (now the New York Red Bulls) and Chivas USA, as well as with the U.S. and Egyptian national teams. But landing Bradley was always going to be a long shot. While the Whitecaps reportedly interviewed a number of coaches, including former Montreal Impact boss Jesse Marsch and Toronto FC head coach Preki, they always had a fallback option; one of Martin Rennies assistant coaches, Carl Robinson, who wanted the job. The Whitecaps were very hesitant to appoint Robinson without first exhausting their other options, which is one reason why it took the club the best part of six weeks to make their decision. In the end, after Bradley rejected the Whitecaps overtures, the club announced that Robinson would become their new head coach. The decision that Vancouver didnt want to make will prove to be the best thing that ever happened to them. In a relatively short period of time, Robinson has brought a vision and a direction to Vancouver. They play an attacking brand of soccer, where pace and technique are prized assets. He has a young squad, but has given his young players a chance to play by surrounding them with experienced veterans who are great leaders. Players like Pedro Morales and Mauro Rosales not only lead by example, they also take the time to teach their younger teammates the finer points of the game. Robinson has his team on the verge of a playoff berth in the difficult MLS Western Conference – and he has done so without a recognized goal scorer in his squad. The loss of Camilo at the end of last season (before Robinson was hired) coupled with the departure of Kenny Miller to Glasgow Rangers in May left Vancouver without a proven experienced goal scorer. Neither 23-year-old Erik Hurtado nor 24-year-old Darren Mattocks are consistent enough to lead the team week in, week out. This season, they have a combined return of just 11 goals in 56 total games. At times this season, Robinson has had to rely on unproven youngsters to get the job done. The latest example was 18-year old Kianz Froese, who made his professional debut as a halftime substitute – replacing 19-year old Kekuta Manneh – in the Whitecaps 1-0 victory in Seattle last weekend. Froese was excellent, and put in a display that belied his age. Relying on youngsters can be dangerous, because a coach can never be sure if those players can handle the step up to competing against seasoned veterans. But Robinson and his coaching staff have created an atmosphere where young players are considered valued assets, rather than risks that should only be deployed in desperation. This atmosphere has in turn brought out the best in those youngsters; while they can be inconsistent – as all young players can be - they still have the confidence to take the field and play with freedom. From the very beginning of his tenure, Robinson has been completely transparent about what he is trying to do in Vancouver, even taking the unprecedented step of opening training at all times to the media. His reasoning is clear – he wants people to see him work, so they can make up their minds about whether or not he is good at his job. That is not arrogance; it is the mark of a coach who is confident in his own abilities. Vancouver has just two games remaining in their regular season schedule – away to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday (10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. on TSN) and home to the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 25 – and they might still find themselves just outside the playoff places when it is all said and done. The Portland Timbers are snapping at Vancouvers heels, just one point back with two games remaining, and could surpass the Whitecaps if Vancouver slips up. But regardless of whether or not the Whitecaps make the playoffs, Carl Robinsons job is safe. In fact, if Vancouvers leadership group is wise, theyll not only keep Robinson, theyll extend his contract. Because the coach that got the job by default is now an asset that the club simply cannot afford to lose. Athletics Jerseys 2019 . Hattestad managed to avoid the carnage midway through the mens final, as a crash took out three skiers, essentially leaving two men vying for gold. The Norwegian posted a time of 3:38.39, outlasting Swedens Teodor Peterson, who took silver with a time of 3:39. Cheap Athletics Jerseys .com) - Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal in the shootout as the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/ .com) - Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll knows about life in the NFL from other stints around the league.VANCOUVER -- The B.C. Lions made a tough decision to part ways with Geroy Simon prior to last season. When the 38-year-old retired earlier this month, it was an easy call to honour the CFLs all-time leading receiver as soon as possible. The Lions announced before Fridays 37-13 pre-season victory over the Calgary Stampeders that Simon will have his No. 81 added to B.C. Place Stadiums Ring of Honour this summer. "Its something thats very special and I appreciate it," said Simon. "This was home for a long time and its a place where I feel real comfortable so Im really happy and really honoured for the recognition." But while Simon is more than deserving, the speed at which it has come about is a bit of a surprise. B.C. traded Simon to the Saskatchewan Roughriders when it was decided his role would change with the Lions for the 2013 season. He went on to have modest numbers during the regular season with the Riders, but scored two touchdowns in the clubs Grey Cup victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Simon had indicated that he wanted to play one more season with either the Lions or Riders in 2014, but wasnt able to agree to terms with either club. "That was the plan but it just didnt work out," said Simon, who won the Grey Cup with the Lions in 2006 and 2011. "I wanted to play but I also didnt want to play anywhere else other than B.C. or Saskatchewan. I made that quite clear. When the decision was made that I wasnt going to come here I just said Im going to retire and move on." The Johnstown, Pa., native added that he doesnt hold any animosity towards the Lions for what transpired the last two off-seasons. "I think that takes more effort to be mad and hold a grudge," said Simon. "I move on. Im looking forward to my next career and Im happy with my decision and whatever else happens." Lions general manager and vice-president of football operations Wally Buono -- who made the call not to bring Simon back as a player -- said honouring him was "a no brainer." "I want to thank Geroy for making this happen because he could have been difficult to deal with," said Buono. "He was, as he always is, a great pro, a great human being." Now working as a scout for Saskatchewan, Simon was taken aback that his former club would reach out so quickly and honour him on July 25 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, coincidentally the team that gave him his start in the CFL. "It was totally unexpected. I didnt expect it," he said. "I was shocked but happy and pleased with the organization." On the field Friday, Lions quarterback Kevin Glenn finished 17 of 21 for 173 yards and a touchdown as he continues to look like the favourite to start the clubs opener on June 28 against the Edmonton Eskimos. No. 1 quarterback Travis Lulay did not take a snap in the pre-season as he continues to recover from off-season shoulder surgery. Stefan Logan returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter as B.C. jumped out to an 18-0 lead after just 15 minutes, but Calgary quarterback Drew Tate led his team back in the second quarter to trail 21-13 at the break Lions rookie defensive back T. Chris Bassitt Athletics Jersey. J. Lee had two interceptions -- including one that he returned 15 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to put the game out of reach at 31-13 -- while linebacker Solomon Elimimian added two interceptions of his own. In a battle to make the team, Lee made quite an impression in his final audition. "I just appreciate the opportunity of playing this game," said Lee, who could have had four interceptions on the night. "Im grateful." Lions head coach Mike Benevides, whose team will host this years Grey Cup game, definitely took notice. "I know theres going to be tough decisions," he said. "The process today was really good for us. Fast, aggressive defence." Tate -- who threw a TD -- and fellow Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell were both picked off twice, while reigning CFL most outstanding player Jon Cornish rushed for 33 yards on five carries early on before spending the rest of the night as a spectator. Prior to the game, Buono said there was nothing awkward when the Lions approached Simon about honouring his number, even though they dealt him prior to last season and declined to bring him back in 2014. "Its business. Nothing was done on a personal level. When you ask me who one of my all-time favourite players is, Im going to say Geroy," said Buono. "He was a tremendous warrior for us, a tremendous ambassador in the community. "It was tough last year. It was tough to cross that bridge that we had to separate with Geroy. It was tough to know that we were going to line up without Geroy." Simon had 1,029 career catches for 16,352 yards and 103 touchdowns with Winnipeg (1999-2000), B.C. (2001-2012) and Saskatchewan (2013). He was the CFLs most outstanding player in 2006 with 105 catches for 1,856 yards and 15 touchdowns, capping that campaign with his first of three Grey Cup titles. Buono, who coached Simon with B.C. during his prime, said he never changed who he was on or off the field. "He responded well to the challenges. The thing about players is you want them to be able to withstand the expectation and the pressure," he said. "When youre the No. 1 receiver year in and year out, theres a tremendous price to pay because everybodys on you, everybodys after you, defences are made to stop you but Geroy overcame all that. "He was always a guy that worked hard, was very humble, was great in the locker-room and was a superstar in the community." Simon said he now wants to build his front-office resume in hopes of one day running a CFL team. "In 10 years I see myself as being a GM or an president of an organization," he said. "I want to be running the show somewhere. "Im not done (winning Grey Cups). Im going to win a few more." Notes: Fridays attendance at B.C. Place was 26,445. ... The Stampeders open the regular season June 28 at home against the Montreal Alouettes. ... Tate finished 6 of 12 passing for 86 yards, while Mitchell completed 10 of 20 passes for 100 yards. ' ' '