Boardregeln » Lopez with the Blazers and Kirk Hinrichs help

MONTREAL - If its not a must-win game, the Montreal Impacts home opener is certainly one they would very much like to win. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . After opening the Major League Soccer season with two tight losses on the road, the Impact will play host to the Seattle Sounders before more than 25,000 at Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon. It will be a first home game for new coach Frank Klopas, the first time Brossard, Que., native Patrice Bernier will play at home as team captain, and the last that star striker Marco Di Vaio will sit out from the three-game suspension he got for wading into a skirmish in the playoffs last October. "Its the third game of the season, but we need to start getting some points," former Chicago Fire boss Klopas said this week. "Its good to be home. "We definitely felt that we should have picked up some points on the road, but thats the game." The Impact opened the season March 8 with a 3-2 loss in Dallas marked by a harsh penalty awarded to the home team. They followed a week later with a 1-0 defeat in Houston. There was a feeling the team played better in the second game — that the defence was sharper, that better chances were created and that Di Vaios replacement Andrew Wenger looked more comfortable up front. "We have some momentum even if were 0-2," said Bernier, who replaced the departed Davy Arnaud as captain. "Its not like we played bad and got cleaned out. "We felt we progressed last game from the first game and now were coming home. We have to defend our home and weve been very good at home the last two years. This is a game that could send us in the right direction and give us a positive boost." They are up against a Seattle side (1-1-0) with a formidable attack, but which is coming off a 2-1 loss at home to Toronto FC on former Tottenham striker Jermain Defoes pair of first-half goals. The Sounders, old foes of the Impact from their A-League and United Soccer League days, have not beaten Montreal in MLS play. The Impact won 4-1 in Montreal in 2012 and opened the 2013 campaign with a 1-0 win in Seattle. But Seattle has been among the better away sides in MLS, with a 29-28-24 road record since they entered the league in 2009. Di Vaio and midfielder Andres Romero, both with three game suspensions, wont see action until a March 29 game in Philadelphia. In Di Vaios absence, winger Justin Mapp and attacking midfielder Felipe Martins have led the offence. The veteran Mapp was among their best players last season, but Felipe looks to have rebounded from a mediocre campaign and is looking more like the energetic playmaker he was as a rookie in 2012. He has yet to score, but leads the team with eight shots. "I had a few chances," he said. "But the hardest thing is to create chances and were doing that. "The only thing is we have to put it in the net, but that is going to come. Its not after one or two games you have to figure out whats going on. Its just soccer, no? One time a goal goes in and after that it comes natural." Klopas likes what hes seen of the Brazilian. "He missed the beginning of the season with injury last year and that was one reason his fitness level and sharpness werent the same," the coach said. "Hes a guy that sometimes doesnt get the points, but he helps the team in so many ways without the ball, with his work rate and stuff like that. "Ive been very pleased with him and I know he has a lot more room to grow." Bernier, coming off knee surgery, missed the season opener but got in 72 minutes in Houston. The team is still waiting for Bernier, Felipe and designated player Hernan Bernardello to all be at peak form to see what the centre of their midfield can do. Bernardello was injured shortly after signing last summer. The Impact are to play their first three home games at the Big O before moving outdoors to Saputo Stadium. Klopas coached Chicago against the Impact in Montreals first MLS game at Olympic Stadium in 2012, a 1-1 draw. "Its amazing that two years ago I was on the opposite side in the first game here, with a tremendous atmosphere," he said. "I hope its the same, only now theyre cheering for me and our team." Cheap NBA Jerseys . The Blue Jackets announced the injury through their official Twitter account Friday afternoon. Gaborik, 31, has scored five goals and six assists in 17 games with the Blue Jackets in 2013-14. Wholesale NFL Jerseys USA . The 2010 batting champ showed what he can do when hes mostly healthy. Gonzalez homered, doubled and singled in his return to the lineup, and the Colorado Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak with a 13-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night. https://www.cheapnfljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . According to a report from ESPN, the veteran safety has signed another one-year deal with the team Raiders, the team that drafted him, and who he returned to last year after a long stint with the Green Bay Packers.TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the skilled and efficient Kevin Love in Minnesota, if Danny Granger gets bought out by the 76ers, discussions of a four-point line, the steady and dependable Robin Lopez with the Blazers and Kirk Hinrichs help in the Bulls resurgence. 1. KEVIN LOVE (Timberwolves): Another monster game Tuesday night vs. Phoenix with 33 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and he goes 3-6 from 3-point range. Hes been off the charts lately and just dominates games in so many ways. You look at him and he doesnt have great explosiveness or lift in his game yet all he does is work you over. Incredibly skilled and efficient and hes very strong. Plays the game at the right pace and sees the game a few frames ahead of most. Former GM/coach Kevin McHale got ripped for selecting him out of UCLA but as we can all see now, one great big man knows another. He saw something in this guy that few others saw. Everyone knew he was good - not just this good. The fact that hes made a serious commitment to his conditioning and diet has taken his game to a whole new level. 2. DANNY GRANGER (76ers): Everyone in the NBA will be keeping an eye on what happens with the buyout negotiations here. Hes got until this weekend to get it done and be on another roster for the March 1 deadline so hes eligible for the playoffs. The big question is; does he do it? He gives up his Bird Rights if he agrees to the buyout which takes away some of his potential earning power as a free agent this summer. In addition, he can be a nice bargaining chip for Philly in a sign-and-trade this June/July. If he hits the open market, hell get lots of offers. Obviously, injuries the past few years (averaging only eight ppg and shooting a woeful 36 per cent) have really impacted him and he probably wont be right until next fall but is worth the risk if he becomes available in the next few days. Clock is ticking and its ticking real fast. 3. FOUR-POINT LINE: Is this a Hoax? Like the Justin Bieber protest in Atlanta? Really? Look, Im a fan of widening the court a little bit - Ive said it on the air many times that we see guys stepping on the sideline way too often, but a four-point shot - maybe Im too old fashioned or out of touch but I really dont want to get that extreme. NFL Jerseys Sale. Enough guys in the league right now that have a hard enough time making free throws let alone adding a gimmick like this. 4. ROBIN LOPEZ (Blazers): When you reflect on great under-the-radar pickups in the summer, this has to be one of the best. What was New Orleans thinking here? Hes been an ideal complement to LaMarcus Aldridge and has allowed the All-Star to play at his natural four-spot. Hes been the anchor for their defence and has posted nice numbers at 11 ppg and nine rpg while getting close to two blocks a game. Hes been steady and dependable and plays with wonderful energy and enthusiasm. Obviously, not an A-list talent but if I had to grade his performance for the Blazers, Id give him an A for the impact hes had in transforming their team into one of the fun stories in the league along with the Suns and the Raptors as surprise teams. 5. KIRK HINRICH (Bulls): Dont let the numbers deceive you (nine ppg and shooting only 38 per cent while averaging only 4.3 assists per game) compared to his career accomplishments. This guy is a winner and is healthy again and a big part in the resurgence of his team. Outstanding defensive player who competes really hard every night. Knows how to run a team and does whatever you need when you need it. Ideal role player in their system and his energy and relentless style is typical of their organizational culture. Really respect this guy and what he brings to the table each game. Yes, limited in many ways but if you really sit and watch him you gain a greater appreciation for his contribution to the team. Numbers are nice to look at and a judgment tool for many but its also about how a guy meshes with his teammates and compliments their games and sacrifices his for the greater good. He understands what it means to be a team guy first, last and everything in between. ' ' '