. The team is excited about adding him to th | Forum
love520
Jan 2 '18
VANCOUVER -- He was one of those players who was just always there -- and now, suddenly, hes gone. White Womens Air VaporMax . Alain Rochat rarely missed a game or a practice during two-plus seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps. But in a move that caught both players and observers by surprise, he was traded Thursday to D.C. United for a second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional pick in 2016. "Its a bit of a head-scratcher," Whitecaps goalkeeper Brad Knighton said after practice. "Obviously, we came in (Thursday) morning ready to train and he was in (the locker-room). Its just one of those things where it happens in this league. I think it caught a lot of people off guard." Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., but raised in Switzerland, Rochat signed with the Whitecaps in August 2010 before spending the remainder of the year on loan with FC Zurich. In two-plus seasons with Vancouver, the 30-year-old scored five goals and added three assists in 67 regular-season MLS games. He made one MLS Cup playoff appearance and recorded two assists in nine Canadian Championship matches. In addition to left fullback, he played as a holding midfielder at times, while also providing strong leadership. Calm under pressure, he could move the ball with skill, speed and finesse not often associated with players whose priority is to prevent goals. The timing of the deal -- for nothing immediate in return -- was curious because the Whitecaps, coming off a rare road win over the New York Red Bulls, have battled injuries on the back line all season while also being unsettled at times in midfield. Vancouver coach Martin Rennie declined to comment on the timing or specific reasons for the deal, but noted the club has plenty of options to fill the void created by Rochats departure. "Weve got quite a number of players that can play left back and quite a number of players who can play a similar role in midfield," said Rennie. "So when we got the opportunity to make the move, that was why we did it." The coach said the move resulted from many factors, including salary-cap numbers. According to figures released in May by the MLS Players Union, Rochat is earning a $190,000 guaranteed base salary this season. The deal, Rennie added, gives the Whitecaps some flexibility should another potential trade come their way. "The way it works in MLS is: There is a salary cap," said Rennie. "Theres lots of juggling of numbers and salaries and so on. When you do make a move, it does open up opportunities to make others, if you want to." In terms of pressing lineup moves, defender Jordan Harvey is expected to receive more regular duty. Rennie indicated he could play on the right side as he did when Rochat moved up to midfield, and Young-Pyo Lee, a mainstay at right fullback, could be shifted to the left side, where he has played in the past. Harvey, who scored in New York, will be tasked to help the seventh-place Whitecaps, 4-4-4 heading into Saturdays game in Seattle, grab one of the five playoff berths available in the Western Conference. Knighton said the trade gives Rochat a chance to play a key role with a struggling D.C. squad that sits last in the East with a 1-10-2 record. United is minus-18 in goal differential, having allowed 24 while scoring just six. "Alain will provide us immediate help with his experience and leadership," said United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. "He is a highly technical and intelligent player who can play on the back line or in the midfield." The trade adds to many travels that Rochat has made during his career. He started in the pro ranks with Switzerlands Yverdon Sport FC in 1999 before moving to Swiss club BSC Young Boys in 2002. He later excelled with Stade Rennais FC of France from 2005-06 prior to joining Zurich. He helped Zurich win a pair of Swiss Super League titles in 2006-07 and 2008-09. But the latest move comes at a challenging time personally for Rochat. His wife is expecting the couples fourth child. "Thats the tough part for us -- when somebody tells you to just leave at the drop of a hat," said Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who also started with the team in 2011. "(Rochat) was one of the original guys here -- and theres not many of us left." Clearance Air VaporMax Shoes . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Purple Air VaporMax 2018 . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. http://www.cheapairvapormaxshop.com/ .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Kelvin Benjamin made an impressive return to the football field Thursday night as the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers opened training camp.In his first practice since tearing the ACL in his left knee last August, Benjamin made four tough catches, reminding the more than 22,445 fans at Gibbs Stadium of just how valuable the 6-foot-5, 245-pound wide receiver is to the Panthers offense.Coach Ron Rivera admitted he was impressed.I dont want to say he was in top form, but he was in pretty doggone good form, Rivera said.Benjamin had 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2014, but tore his ACL last August at training camp and missed the teams run to the Super Bowl.Benjamin ran swift, sharp routes and showed no ill effects from last years surgery. He leaped in the air to snag two passes and reached behind to grab another.Im just happy for him, Panthers wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl said. Its a confidence builder. You go out and perform like he did, make catches over the middle, make contested catches with somebody draped on him, it was huge. Anytime you get that first catch out of the way, its huge, especially coming off an injury.Benjamin was not made available for interviews.The Pantheers had the leagues top scoring offense last season and finished 17-2 despite losing Benjamin. Grey Youth Air VaporMax. The team is excited about adding him to the mix.Kelvins retention as far what were doing, he handled that really well by the way he ran the routes and attacked the football, Rivera said. There will be a lot of good things for us to see on tape.The 25-year-old Benjamin wasnt the only wide receiver to have a solid night following a return from an injury.Stephen Hill, who also tore an ACL in his knee last year in training camp, and Philly Brown, who is coming off shoulder surgery, also made big catches during practice.Im just so proud of those guys, Proehl said. Theyve worked so hard, and to see them go out there and do what they did tonight, it warms my heart. Theyre like my kids. To see them go out there and perform like they did, thats such a confidence builder for them.Rivera said that starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was held out of practice as a precautionary measure after his hamstring tightened up in condit
Share:
