The Whitecaps extended their unbeaten run in Major League Soccer to five matches, but Saturdays 2-2 tie at home to Seattle Sounders finished in controversial fashion, denying Vancouver the three points their performance deserved. The penalty call by referee Ismail Elfath on Jay DeMerit late in the game was baffling, and it took the shine off an entertaining Cascadia Cup battle in which the Whitecaps created numerous chances with their impressive attacking style of play Credit to Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson for keeping his cool post-game. Had he launched a scathing attack on the referee, no one would have questioned him. But in public, Robinson reacted with dignity and humour rather than spending his time complaining about the officiating. It was a refreshing approach. Maybe Robinson just didnt want to lose any more money - earlier in the day, he lost a bet with Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales over which team would win the Champions League final and the coach will now have to take the whole squad out for dinner! As my colleague, Jason deVos said after the match, if that was a penalty, he would have been sent off four or five times in every game of his career! The decision let the Sounders back into a match in which they had rarely threatened, but they could have won it late in the game when Obafemi Martins went close, as could the Whitecaps, who had two or three excellent chances after Seattle had tied things up. Cascadia Cup matches very rarely disappoint. The atmosphere, the drama, the fast moving play were all evident on Saturday in front of the Whitecaps sixth successive sell-out in MLS this season. The performance shows just how far the Caps have come in a short space of time, considering how easily they were out-battled by the Sounders in a couple of early preseason meetings. Carl Robinson has created an identity for this team, and very quickly they have become one of the most entertaining in MLS to watch. The youthful exuberance was on show once again on Saturday with the pace and trickery of Kekuta Manneh and Sebastain Fernandez causing the Sounders problems, and Erik Hurtados new-found confidence in front of goal a joy to watch. Hurtados superbly taken goal tied things up just three minutes after a well-placed header from Chad Barrett had given Seattle a surprise first half lead. Hurtado is certainly enjoying his football now. Saturday was the first time in his pro career that he has made consecutive starts. He scored in both of them, and with the goal against Toronto thrown in as well, it is three goals in three matches in all competitions for the man who has certainly taken the chance that has been provided to him following the hamstring injury to Darren Mattocks and the departure of Kenny Miller. Carl Robinson told me before the match that the difference with Hurtado now is that he isnt trying to over-think things. He certainly gave Seattles defenders plenty to think about when he turned them inside out on the goal. Gershon Koffie played his best match of the season - one of his best as a Whitecap. At only 22 years old, he has so much potential. He took his goal really well to give the team a 2-1 lead, capitalizing on a mistake by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei but his all-round play was superb. Koffie and Matias Laba have been developing a good relationship in the Whitecaps midfield, and it is starting to pay off. Koffie was an attacking threat throughout and could have had more than the one goal. Once again, there were many positives for the Whitecaps to take away from the game, but the next step will be to win against the top Western Conference teams on a regular basis, especially at home. Caps president Bob Lenarduzzi said at half-time on our MLS on TSN broadcast that in his short time as head coach, Robinson has "done everything the club has asked of him and then some." The former Wales international is moulding a young, entertaining team playing a brand of football that people are excited to watch. The Caps could have won the game in the first 20 minutes. They were quick out of the blocks, but couldnt find a finishing touch. It has been a familiar theme over the last few games. Lots of chances are being created, but sometimes the killer instinct is missing in front of goal. Robinson has made no secret of his desire to add a top striker to his squad when the transfer window opens in July (a return for Camilo?) and that with all of the chances coming the Caps way, that would be a mouthwatering prospect. Next up is another Cascadia clash on the road at Portland Timbers next Sunday (live on TSN2 at 9pm et/6pm pt). Its another great chance for the Whitecaps to test themselves against a team that will be challenging them for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Rashaan Melvin Jersey . UCI President Brian Cookson said Wednesday the commission will investigate allegations "that the UCI has been involved in wrongdoing in the past -- allegations which have done so much to hurt the credibility of the UCI and our sport. Seth Roberts Jersey .85 million contract with the two-time Gold Glove outfielder. 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Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics.RENTON, Wash. - After the drama and turmoil early in the season, the Seattle Seahawks are where they expected to be with two weeks left, on the cusp of being back in the playoffs and with a chance at still landing the No. 1 seed in the NFC.Two victories — beginning with Sundays showdown at Arizona — would give the Seahawks (10-4) their second straight NFC West title.But the last thing Pete Carroll plans on doing this week is mentioning the importance of facing the Cardinals on Sunday night.Not any mention of it. Thats not stuff we talk about. Its so obvious why we dont talk about it, Carroll said on Monday. Weve been preparing for championship games all season long and playing like they are, and the more you do that the more comfortable I hope we feel with the big setting that this one brings and all the hype that people are going to put on it. Were not going to play any different.Were going to try and play the same football weve been playing and that means were going to give it everything we got and were going to try and go all out to get a win and take it to next week.Seattle put itself in position where another division title and the No. 1 seed is a possibility thanks to its four-game win streak that included Sundays 17-7 win over San Francisco that eliminated the 49ers from post-season contention.As it was for most of last season, the defence has been at the forefront of Seattles surge. San Francisco became the fourth straight opponent held under 250 total yards. And only once in the past nine games have the Seahawks allowed a team to gain more than 300 yards. None of their past four opponents have gained 100 yards in the second half.Seattle leads the NFL in yards allowed per game at 272.4, a pace that is ahead of what it accomplished last season. The Seahawks are the only team in the NFL giving up fewer than 300 total yards and one of two allowing fewer than 200 yards per game passing.Carrolls been pleased with the combinatioon of Seattles pass rush flustering quarterbacks lately to go along with the blanket coverage in the secondary.ddddddddddddWere getting real good continuity now. Were covering aggressively, were playing tight, guys are challenging and making their breaks on the ball and the more that we feel the rush the harder it is on the quarterback, Carroll said.That is a real good part of our game right now. Were going to try and keep pushing it. I always think it starts up front with the guys rushing the passer, but we certainly feed off one another and it will certainly be important down the stretch.For all the praise toward Seattles defence lately, the Seahawks have concerns about the offensive line going into Sundays game at Arizona.Center Max Unger has missed the past four games and while hell practice on Wednesday, Carroll said hes still not 100 per cent after suffering ankle and knee injuries in Week 11 at Carolina.Left tackle Russell Okung suffered a bruised lung on the final play of the first half Sunday and will likely miss this week baring a significant change.It sounds like its a week or two unless we get a really good report. Were going to hope for the best and see how he does. He really wants to play if he can, Carroll said of Okung.Okung was injured trying to chase down San Franciscos Eric Reid on an interception return. He was hit hard by San Francisco defensive tackle Ray McDonald throwing a block on the return. Okung appeared to be spitting up blood as he left the field at halftime and was checked out at a local hospital before being released.Alvin Bailey would likely make his second start at left tackle and fifth overall this season if Okung cant go.Carroll is also waiting to see how tight end Tony Moeaki recovers from a shoulder injury suffered against the 49ers, but the Seahawks expected reserve tight end Cooper Helfet (ankle) back this week.___Online:http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFLCheap Buffalo Sabres GearWholesale Calgary Flames JerseysCheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche JerseysMontreal Canadiens Outlet StoreWholesale New Jersey Devils JerseysAdidas Arizona Coyotes JerseysCheap Adidas Boston Bruins JerseysCheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes JerseysChicago Blackhawks Shop Free ShippingWholesale Columbus Blue Jackets JerseysDallas Stars Shop Free ShippingCheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings JerseysAnaheim Ducks Jerseys ChinaWholesale Edmonton Oilers JerseysFlorida Panthers Shop Free ShippingWholesale Los Angeles Kings JerseysMinnesota Wild Outlet StoreCheap Adidas Nashville Predators JerseysCheap Adidas New York Islanders JerseysNew York Rangers Winter Classic JerseysCheap Adidas Ottawa Senators JerseysCheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers JerseysWholesale Pittsburgh Penguins JerseysCheap Adidas San Jose Sharks JerseysSt. Louis Blues Winter Classic JerseysWholesale Tampa Bay Lightning JerseysToronto Maple Leafs Outlet StoreVancouver Canucks Outlet StoreCheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights JerseysCheap Adidas Washington Capitals JerseysCheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '
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