Brooks Koepka of the United States, | Forum
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Nov 13 '17
VANCOUVER -- Striker Kenny Miller wants to make the most of his seemingly limited time left with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Marc-Edouard Vlasic Jersey . Miller, a former Scottish international slated to become a free agent under a quirky contract that expires at mid-season, hopes to start Saturday in the second of back-to-back games with the Los Angeles Galaxy at B.C. Place Stadium. He was deployed as a second-half substitute in the opening encounter last weekend in Carson, Calif. You can watch all the action on TSN beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. "Obviously, its disappointing for any professional to sit and watch," said Miller. "You want to go on that field and you want to be helping the team out and you want to be in a position where you can influence the game. "If you sit and watch, its really frustrating, because you cant do that." The Whitecaps (2-2-2) lost 1-0 to the Galaxy (2-1-1) last weekend. Not only does Vancouver want to avenge that loss but also earn its first victory in three games. Millers presence in the starting lineup could come in handy because he leads the team in scoring with three goals and one assist in six appearances. Coach Carl Robinson used Miller as a substitute last weekend to rest and refresh the 34-year-old Edinburgh native. Miller, who came on in the 70th minute, didnt take kindly to the move. "I want to play every minute of every game," said Miller. "I dont want to come off. I dont want to sit on the bench. "I want to play every game. Hes paid to make the decisions and thats the decision he made, so youve got to accept it." Miller had off-season knee surgery, and Robinson, who is in his first season as Vancouvers head coach after two as an assistant, made it known early in the season hed rest older veterans, especially in road games. Captain Jay DeMerit stayed home for a road game against New England. But Miller doesnt see a need to rest for health reasons, contending hes "probably the fittest" he has felt since joining the Whitecaps midway through the 2012 season. If Miller does start, as expected, hell probably line up in a two-striker formation with Darren Mattocks rather than a lone-striker setup the club has used in the past. Robinson believes Miller and Mattocks play better inside rather than with one out on the wing. The Whitecaps have only one win -- a 3-1 home decision last season - in nine MLS meetings with the Galaxy. Robinson liked how his team played defensively last weekend, but wants it to produce more scoring chances against an L.A. team he feels has "an aura" because it has won two of the past three MLS championships. If Miller does get more playing time, it could eventually help his chances of re-signing with Vancouver. Robinson, a former teammate of Miller with Wolverhampton in England, is looking for Miller to make an impact before the club offers him a contract extension. Vancouver signed Miller to a rare six-month extension last October. In accordance with FIFA rules, he is now eligible to negotiate with other teams and has instructed his agents to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Despite persistent reports last year the striker wanted to rejoin his former Glasgow Rangers squad, Miller has insisted he wants to remain a Whitecap. But he and the club havent started formal contract talks. "Theres nothing, theres no update," he said. "On June 30, the contract runs out. Until then, if they dont see it differently, thats when its done. "Six months ago, they knew what the situation was going to be and we just get on with that. The club, of they want to talk, then Ill talk. If they dont, then we dont." In the meantime, Miller plays on -- at Robinsons discretion, with the Vancouver coach not offering any confirmation if Miller would start against L.A. Robinson said Millers playing time will depend on factors heading into each game between now and June 30. His minutes wont be cut to give young players more action in preparation for his departure. "A decision wont be based upon any contractual status," said Robinson. "Itll be based on who I think will win us that game, and then (June 30), well see where we go." Robinson admitted he was "sitting on the fence" on Millers status, adding he has already devised a plan with coaches and management based on this year and next. Dealing with Millers contract deadline will mark the first step in the plan. But Miller isnt the only veteran looking to reclaim his starting position. Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is anxious to play after sitting out the past three games. He missed the first two contests due to a concussion suffered in a freak off-field collision with a bicycle rack but was a healthy scratch last weekend in L.A. Robinson said Reo-Coker has trained the right way this week, but the English midfielder contended he needs game action to stay at his sharpest. "The best form of fitness is games," said Reo-Coker. But working against Reo-Coker is defensive midfielder Matias Labas return following a one-game suspension for receiving a red card against Colorado on April 5. Robinson was also pleased with the performance of central midfielders Gershon Koffie and Russell Teibert and suggested theyll be called on again. Teibert, a Niagara Falls, Ont., native, drew Robinsons praise for his aggressive marking of famed Galaxy striker Robbie Keane, who leads L.A. with three goals and an assist this season. Robinson noted Teibert "got under (Keanes) skin." The Vancouver coach and Keane have also been known to exchange unpleasantries on the field --but not for long. Theyve been close since they were teenage teammates with Wolverhampton in the mid-1990s. "We do go way back," said Robinson. "But for 90 minutes, hes not my friend." Tommy Wingels Jersey . -- The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Sidney Rice have agreed to terms on a deal. Aaron Dell Jersey . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Defending champion Stephen Gallacher had seven birdies and an eagle on the back nine Saturday to surge past Rory McIlroy and take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic. Gallacher equaled the European Tour record for the lowest nine-hole score with an inward 28 for a 9-under 63. That gave him a 16-under total of 200, with McIlroy in second after 69. Tiger Woods was 11 shots back after a 70. "This is the best back nine Ive had in my career by far," said Gallacher, who started the day four shots behind McIlroy. "So to get myself back into contention when I needed to, and given the stature of this tournament, it feels good." Gallacher started with seven straight pars before a bogey on the eighth. But he birdied the next four holes before an eagle on the par-5 13th, where he hit a 7-iron to within three inches with his second shot. After another par on the next hole, he finished with four straight birdies. "I struggled at the start and played the first four holes a bit ropey," the Scot said. "But I then hit a beautiful drive and 7-iron (at the ninth) to about 3 foot, and from then on I never missed a shot." The Desert Classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and Gallacher now has a chance to become the first person to win back-to-back titles at the event. Patrick Marleau Jersey. McIlroy earned his first European Tour victory here in 2009 and is still very much in the hunt despite battling food poisoning during the second round on Friday. McIlroy, who had his lowest score in three years with a 63 in the opening round, mixed three birdies and an eagle with two bogeys on Saturday. "My stomach is better today, still not 100 per cent but its better than it was yesterday," McIlroy said. "I feel like I can catch him (Gallacher) up tomorrow. I dont really want to focus on what hes doing -- try to focus on my own thing." Woods, who won here in 2006 and 2008, failed to get back in contention after a disappointing day on the greens. The top-ranked American had two bogeys and four birdies but missed a number of opportunities to pull closer. "I only hit a couple of bad shots, (but) missed a ton of putts," said Woods, who was in a tie for 37th. "Really hit it good but just threw away a lot of shots." Thorbjoern Olesen of Denmark shot a 65 to sit tied for third with Brooks Koepka of the United States, another two shots behind Gallacher. Race to Dubai winner Henrik Stenson fell out of contention with a 75 that included two double bogeys and left him 12 shots back. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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