There was a moment during Fridays training session in Obetz, Ohio, where Whitecaps players were doing their “2 in the middle” drill, a fun warm-up exercise they would have performed hundreds of times. cheap jerseys . As me and some other stragglers were chatting informally with Caps Coach Carl Robinson, an explosive roar came from the group, some of whom were now on the ground laughing. I said to the coach, “Thats a good sound." "Brilliant” he replied. Something special is happening within a group that has representation from all over the world and that varies in age from 20 to 34. Theres a togetherness, despite a language barrier that could easily divide the locker room between the Latin-based players, the younger Americans and the senior pros. Midfield maestro and Designated Player Pedro Morales was in the hotel lobby with a few teammates having a coffee when he remarked on how this might be the best team spirit hes experienced in his career. This is a 10-year pro who was playing in La Liga only a few months ago with Malaga. Prior to Wednesdays Amway Canadian Championships, a game which featured a very young, Canadian heavy squad, all the senior players remained in the locker room right up until kick-off to offer support and encouragement for the youngsters who are likely to replace them one day. Nigel Reo Coker, a veteran of the Barclays Premier League, who played in the Toronto game, teased the armband-wearing Russell Teibert as the Niagara Falls, Ontario native gave his first captains speech in the huddle. “Speak up, Russ. I cant hear you.” More laughter. More calming of nerves before a team of kids was about to battle a line-up that featured Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. The Whitecaps more senior group then followed up the Toronto performance with a solid, cohesive and monstrous away win at Columbus, where 23-year-old Eric Hurtado, in only his fifth MLS start, scored his first MLS goal. It was a moment of individual brilliance, as the sophomore took an ousted clearance off his chest and rolled his defender before turning and unleashing a left-footed blast into the top corner. His celebration was oddly muted, as if hed scored that type of goal a hundred times. But the occasion wasnt lost on his teammates who gathered quickly to mob him. When asked about the goal after, Hurtado immediately acknowledged his colleagues role in the goal and the win. It might be overly simplistic to compare team-building with cooking a dish - you follow a recipe that you think will work and then add certain missing ingredients until it tastes just right. Only, there is no recipe for team-building. While the 2014 edition of the Whitecaps is nowhere near ready to put on top of the table, what is simmering on the stove has a wonderful aroma. Its also creating a healthy appetite for hungry Whitecaps fans. wholesale nfl jerseys . On Monday night, he certainly appeared to like the leadoff spot. Castro, Darwin Barney and Marlon Byrd combined for seven hits, five runs and three RBIs and the Chicago Cubs held on for a 5-4 win over the Houston Astros. wholesale jerseys . -- The Smallrus finally hoisted a big PGA Tour trophy. http://www.wholesalenfljerseysplay.com/ . Chandler scored a season-high 25 points and the Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Indiana Pacers 109-96 Saturday night. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers are placing both starting rookie defensive tackles -- Terrell McClain and Sione Fua -- on injured reserve, a person familiar with the decisions said on Tuesday. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because moves have not been announced. Fua and McClain were both third-round draft picks this year and have been starters since week one. However, Fua suffered a significant right hamstring strain prior to Sundays game against Tampa Bay and didnt play. McClain sprained his left knee during the first half and did not return. Its unclear at this point if either player will need surgery. They become the 13th and 14th players to join Carolinas lengthy list of players on injured reserve -- seven on each side of the ball. Defence, however, has been hit particularly hard. The Panthers lost starting defensive tackle Ron Edwards in training camp and then linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis the first two weeks of the season. In addition, theyve also added promising young linebacker Thomas Williams for the season in recent weeks. McClain started all 12 games and hhad 20 tackles, one sack, four quarterback pressures and one fumble recovery. cheap nfl jerseys. McClain was selected 65th overall in this years draft while Fua was taken later in the third round at No. 97. Fua, whose primary job at the nose tackle is taking up space in the middle for others to make plays, had 15 tackles with one quarterback pressure. Overall, coach Ron Rivera has been extremely pleased with the play of both rookies, while acknowledging the Panthers have had to "take some punches like a little brother." Still, Rivera believes the experience they have gained playing as rookies will be huge for the Panthers in coming years. The injuries leave the Panthers with only two defensive tackles on the roster -- Andre Neblett and Frank Kearse. Neblett is a second-year player. Kearse is a rookie. Both Neblett and Kearse saw significant playing time in Carolinas 38-19 win over Tampa Bay. The Panthers also had to slide defensive ends Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy and Antwan Applewhite inside to defensive tackle to help out in certain packages against the Bucs. The Panthers (4-8) host Atlanta (7-5) on Sunday. cheap jerseys ' ' '
