VANCOUVER -- Kara Langs triumphant return to the pitch is still a work in progress. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/ . Nine months after the former Canadian soccer star launched a remarkable comeback effort from a seemingly career-ending knee injury, the 27-year-old has been named to Canadas roster for Sundays friendly against Mexico in Vancouver. But head coach John Herdman said on a conference call Wednesday that Lang still has work to do on her rehabilitation and isnt ready to play yet. "Karas part of a long-term process," Herdman said. "Weve been working fantastically with B2ten (a fundraising organization for Canadian athletes) on a rebuilding process with Kara -- literally rebuilding her functional movements from scratch. "Part of the process is getting her immersed with this team. ... A big part of her being on this roster is that shes going to get an experience in BC Place, which will be the stadium that hosts the final of the Womens World Cup." Herdman said the team is targeting a return to action for Lang in the first quarter of 2014. He said Lang isnt participating in any scrimmages in training at this point. "Look, the reality is we could put her in, but the big challenge for Kara is shes been brought back too quickly too soon in the past which has led to this consistent breakdown," Herdman said. "If you think about rebuilding a car, weve literally, through B2ten, rebuilt certain parts of Kara to help her become more efficient as an athlete so she doesnt keep breaking down with the same issues." The fact that Lang is on the roster at is huge for a player whos career was essentially over. The Mexico match comes nearly three years after two torn ACLs forced Lang to walk away from the game, tearfully announcing her retirement at a news conference in her hometown of Oakville. Veteran striker Josee Belanger is also returning to the national team after more than two years away with an ankle injury, but Herdman said she suffered a setback in training is not yet fit for game duty. "Josee came in, had a fantastic start to our training, beat three players, scored a goal and went off injured," Herdman said. "That was her first return back to Canada Soccers training environment. "Josee is going to be out for a period of time now. Its more precautionary, just to help rebuild a player that hasnt been playing at this level for at least two years." Both Belanger, a Sherbrooke, Que., native, and Lang were key players Canadas 2010 CONCACAF victory before being sidelined by injuries. Lang is Canadas second all-time active goal scorer, with 34 goals. She played in two womens World Cups, in 2003 and 2007, as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Eighteen of the players 23 players named to the roster were part of Canadas 3-0 victory over South Korea in Edmonton last month, including Sura Yekka, a 16-year-old defender from Mississauga, Ont., who earned her first senior team call-up for that game. Rachel Melhado, a 20-year-old defender who plays for University of Louisville, will take part in her second senior camp. Her previous games for Canada include a 1-0 loss to Germany last June. Shes also played for Canadas under-18 and U20 squads. The game marks Canadas first in Vancouver and the first versus Mexico since a 3-1 Canadian win at the CONCACAF qualifying tournament in January of 2012 that secured Canadas spot in the London Olympics. "Theres a healthy rivalry with Mexico and I know they will be ready for this game," Herdman said. "Well be diligent with our work as well as keep focused on our goals leading into 2015. Note: The Canadian Soccer Association said that 17,000 tickets have been sold so far for Sundays game. --- Roster: Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe (KIF Orebro DFF, Sweden); Karina LeBlanc (Portland Thorns FC, U.S.); Erin McLeod (Chicago Red Stars, U.S.). Defenders: Robyn Gayle (Washington Spirit, U.S.); Rachel Melhado, (University of Louisville, U.S.) ; Carmelina Moscato (Seattle Reign FC, U.S.); Marie-Eve Nault (Orebro); Lauren Sesselmann (Kansas City, U.S); Kylla Sjoman (Glasgow Celtic FC, Scotland); Rhian Wilkinson (Boston Breakers, U.S.); Sura Yekka (Brams United, Canada); Emily Zurrer (Seattle). Midfielders: Selenia Iacchelli (Edmonton Victoria SC); Kaylyn Kyle (Boston); Diana Matheson(Washington) Sophie Schmidt (Sky Blue FC, U.S.); Desiree Scott (Kansas City) Brittany Baxter (unattached). Midfielder/Forward: Kara Lang (unattached). Forwards: Josee Belanger (Amiral de Quebec); Melissa Busque (Seattle University, U.S.); Adriana Leon (Chicago Red Stars, U.S.); Christine Sinclair (Portland). cheapauthenticjerseys .Y. -- The NFL says the number of concussions in practices and games in the preseason and regular season dropped 13 per cent from 2012 to 2013. Cheap Jerseys Authentic . PETERSBURG, Fla.PHOENIX -- If Phoenix is the NBAs surprise team, Miles Plumlee is the most surprising Sun of all. The 6-foot-11 centre played a grand total of 55 minutes in 14 games as a rookie for Indiana last season, then came to Phoenix almost as a throw-in in the trade that sent Luis Scola to the Pacers. Athletic and energetic, Plumlee has given the Suns an inside presence, and Phoenix -- supposed to be among the NBAs worst teams in preseason forecasts -- is 18-11 after beating the Philadelphia 76ers 115-101 Saturday night. Plumlee scored a career-high 22 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots. "Im happy with my progress," he said. "I feel better every game. I feel like I have more energy because Im not as anxious on the court, Im not wasting my energy. I just feel like I can play harder." Plumlee hit the court hard trying to block a shot in the third quarter and required seven stitches to close a cut on his bearded chin before returning to the game. "He is playing hard, making quick moves," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. "When we get the ball inside to him, he is very confident with his moves. I think in the beginning he kind of predetermined his moves and what he wanted to do, but I think these last 10 games when he gets it in there he is seeing where the defence is and thats the shot he ends up taking." Goran Dragic added 21 points and Eric Bledsoe 20 for the Suns, who have won nine of 11 but were coming off their worst loss of the season. Marcus Morris made three fourth-quarter 3-pointers and scored 18. Thaddeus Young scored 30 points, Michael Carter-Williams 27 and Tony Wroten 22 for the 76ers, who lost their 13th road game in a row and have dropped nine of 10 overall. Evan Turner, Philadelphias leading scorer at 19.3 points per game, sat out to rest his sore right knee. "We missed Evan, but 101 points is still a nice effort from some of our young kids tonight and from some veteran players," 76ers coach Brett Brown said. "But defensively we just have a long waay to go.http://www.cheapauthenticjerseys.us.com/nike-nfl-jerseys-china_seattle-seahawks-jersey-china/. quot; Phoenix lost 115-86 at Golden State on Friday night. The 76ers hadnt played in a week and had been in Arizona since Thursday. Dragic said the Suns didnt play well Saturday, just good enough to win. "We should have been up by at least 15 points at the half," he said. "They had too many easy baskets, especially their guards. In the end, it was a tough game, but I am happy with that win." Phoenix had 31 fast-break points to Philadelphias 14. "Were not going to win games giving up 30 fast-break points," Carter-Williams said, "so weve got to get back on mistakes, and that starts with me getting back and when I get back, that leads everyone else getting back." Philadelphia stayed in it for a while with 3-point shooting, going 9 for 16 in the first half to trail just 60-59, but the Sixers were 2 of 13 on 3s in the second half. Carter-Williams and Young opened the third quarter with 3-pointers to put the 76ers up 65-59, then Plumlee scored inside and converted a three-point play to tie it at 65. Bledsoes 3-pointer from the corner put Phoenix up 70-67 with 8:32 left, igniting a 15-4 run that put the Suns ahead 82-71 after Dragic stole the ball from Wroten and made the breakaway layup with 4:49 to play in the quarter. Phoenix led the rest of the way. The Suns were up 88-81 entering the fourth. A pair of free throws by Young cut it to 96-90 with 6:43 to play, but Morris sank consecutive 3s from the top of the key, then Dragic banked in a 3-pointer and Phoenix was in control 105-90 with 4:22 left. "I dont think we played a great game tonight," Hornacek said. "We were OK. That was about it. Weve got to play better." NOTES: Youngs string of 10 consecutive 3-pointers ended when he misfired with 6 minutes to go in the second quarter. ... Philadelphia won its first road game of the season and none since. ... The Suns improved to 11-4 at home. ... Phoenix was the second stop on a six-game road trip for Philadelphia. ... Phoenix is 10-0 at home when leading after three quarters. wholesale jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
