At least Carl Robinson can still smile. cheap jerseys from china paypal . Just a month into his time as Vancouver Whitecaps head coach, the former Wales international has had more than his fair share of issues to deal with, but throughout a period he describes as "crazy," he has showcased the level-headed and honest approach he promised when he was appointed. Days after being handed the job, Robinson had to deal with his star striker Camilo walking out on the club in dramatic and unparalleled fashion. That eventually led to an in-person meeting with the Whitecaps leading scorer in Mexico and the resultant departure of the Brazilian. Then hours after his first MLS SuperDraft, Robinsons next task was to address the fact that one of his top ten picks is under contract with another club. "Thrown in at the deep end I think is a fair thing to say," said Robinson. "Its not troublesome. Its a learning curve. Its my first job, but all the preparation I have done over the last seven years to get my qualifications has stood me in good stead for this. I didnt realize it would come this early but Ive dealt with it professionally and honestly. Im sure Ill be a better person from it and a better head coach moving forward." Theres been plenty of finger pointing throughout the Camilo saga. Was he led astray by his agent? Could the club have done more? Should MLS have taken the case to FIFA? The fact is the Brazilian just didnt want to be in Vancouver. There was no loyalty. His past talk about loving the city, the club and the fans was proven to be nonsense. If he had any interest in playing for the Caps, Camilo would likely have been sitting down with the club this week to negotiate another new contract – his second renegotiation in three years – ahead of joining the team for preseason. Instead, he chose to pull on another teams jersey and force his way out of Vancouver. "I spoke to him 24 hours after getting the job, but I do believe by then his mind had been made up," said Robinson about a situation he has never previously encountered in 25 years of professional football. "It got into a messy situation but we needed to work out a solution. Its a significant amount of money and it will help us rebuild this club over the next year. Im looking at good players and good players cost money." The problem is, Camilos actions actually worked. He got what he wanted, and now a dangerous precedent has been set within Major League Soccer for any other players wanting to do a Camilo. Theres little doubt it will happen, unless the situation is quickly addressed by MLS headquarters. The leagues relative silence through the whole issue was disappointing. Transparency, or lack of it, has been a key theme in recent times in MLS. Commissioner Don Garber talks of the need to improve the situation, but both the Camilo saga and the handling of the Andre Lewis situation has shown there is still much work to be done. As for the Whitecaps, they will open preseason training camp with many holes still to fill in their squad. Following Camilos departure they should now have the resources available to ensure they have the players in place in plenty of time ahead of the season opener against New York Red Bulls on March 8 (live on TSN). "Over the last few weeks weve had a lot to deal with, but weve been working hard in the background," said Robinson. "Ive identified new players and hopefully over the next few days and weeks there will be a lot of players coming in. "Weve got some fantastic young players in place as well as the senior players already here so there is a very strong nucleus at the club. Were excited for the season ahead and the pieces we can bring in. There will be a number of signings coming in." The re-signing of Captain Jay DeMerit was the first piece of positive news to come out of the Caps camp in 2014, but there needs to be much more to follow to ensure Robinson is given the tools he needs to succeed in his rookie year as a head coach. cheap jerseys from china . MacIntyre, 30, had been back with the AHLs Toronto Marlies since Bernier returned from a five-game absence with a groin injury March 25. Bernier left Thursday nights 4-3 overtime win over the Boston Bruins with what looked like a left leg or knee injury. cheap jerseys from china wholesale . The black mask made its debut Thursday night in James first game since he broke his nose. He said he received word from league officials Friday that they wanted him to instead wear something that would allow opponents to see his face.PHILADELPHIA -- Hunter Pence let the lead slip away with one big bobble out in right. He atoned for his error an inning later with one big homer to left. Pence redeemed himself for a ninth-inning misplay by hitting his second home run of the game, a solo shot in the 10th that lifted the Philadelphia Phillies over the Houston Astros 4-3 Tuesday. Pence connected off former Philadelphia closer Brett Myers (0-1) with one out to give the Phillies their first three-game winning streak of the season. He was mobbed at the plate in celebration by his easily forgiving teammates while his fielding gaffe was filed to the blooper reel. Pences error in right field while trying to make a throw home allowed Houston to tie it with two outs in the ninth. "I felt horrible that it happened," Pence said. "The team really picked me up." The NL East champions ended a dubious drought with Pences ninth homer of the season. This was the longest stretch of games (37) into a season without a three-game win streak for the Phillies since 1971, when they needed 51 games. "Ive never had a hitter like Hunter," manager Charlie Manuel said, "but hes a good one." Chad Qualls failed to hold a 3-1 lead in the ninth and kept Cliff Lee winless in five starts this season. Lee allowed one run and struck out 10 over eight strong innings. Jake Diekman tossed 1 1-3 scoreless innings to win his major league debut. Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon was shut down for a day after pitching in back-to-back games. That opened the door for a Houston rally against a scuffling bullpen. Carlos Lee hit an RBI single off Qualls to cut it to 3-2. Pinch runner Brian Bogusevic kept the rally going when he stole second. J.D Martinez hit a liner to right and got the hold sign at third. Pence let the ball slip out of his hand as he was preparing to throw and Bogusevic sprinted home for the tying run. "I was charging it hard and I really cant tell you how it came out of my hand," Pence said. "I was trying to fire it as hard as I could." Jason Castro then doubled to chase Qualls and put runners on second and third. Qualls was booed off the mound for the blown save and wasting Lees fantastic effort. Diekman struck out Marwin Gonzalez to end the inning and was rewarded with the victory. Brian Schneider also homered for the Phillies, who won for the fourth time in five gamees and swept the two-game series. cheap jerseys from china free shipping. Astros manager Brad Mills gambled bringing in Myers for the 10th in a tie game. "Coming into a tie ballgame on the road, I was prepared but, it just baffled me a little bit," Myers said. "I can just go out there and do my job. Thats all I can do when called upon." Mills said Myers was warmed up and wanted to pitch. It was hard to believe the game came down to a closer the way Lee pitched. Lee walked only one and allowed one run in his second start since straining his left oblique. The Phillies had lost all four of Lees starts, including two one-run defeats. Lee was clearly a tough-luck loser. He entered with a 1.68 ERA since June 1 of last season. Schneiders two-run shot in the second and Pences solo homer in the sixth were nearly enough to get Lee back in the win column. The lefty was never in any serious trouble and showed no signs of being slowed down by the injury that put him on the 15-day disabled list. Lee threw 10 scoreless innings on April 18 in a 1-0 loss to the Giants in 11 innings, but landed on the DL a few days later. Matt Downs hit a solo homer off Lee in the seventh. Citizens Bank Park was pounded all morning by rain and the tarp was on the field until just before the first pitch. The stadium was maybe half full for Lees first pitch and there were thousands of empty seats scattered across the park all game. Still, the Phillies announced a crowd of 43,781 for their 222nd straight sellout. Houstons Jordan Lyles, recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, was betrayed by his defence in the second inning. After a runner reached on a throwing error, Schneider pulled his first homer of the season into the right field seats for a 2-0 lead. Manuel was ejected by plate umpire Bob Davidson in the eighth. Manuel and Davidson argued nose to nose and exchanged profanities to the delight of the crowd chanting "Charlie! Charlie!" Manuel thought a ball had been foul tipped. "I dont even want to talk about that," Manuel said. NOTES: Tennis great Billie Jean King threw out the first pitch. ... Lee collided with umpire Hunter Wendelstedt in the first while trying to make a play on a base hit. Both were briefly down. ... Lyles made the start for Kyle Weiland, who had arthroscopic surgery for an infection in his right shoulder. The Astros optioned RHP David Carpenter to Oklahoma City to make room for Lyles.cheap jerseys ' ' '
