Bryant scored 13 points in the third quarter,

Almost 40 years to the day since playing their first ever match against San Jose Earthquakes, the Vancouver Whitecaps will face the Quakes once again on Saturday, as the club celebrates its 40th anniversary. But amidst the celebrations, its important the Whitecaps return to winning ways in Major League Soccer against an Earthquakes team that is below them in the Western Conference standings. The Form: Its now four matches without a victory for the Whitecaps who are yet to win against a Western Conference opponent this season, but they have tied their last two games against two of the top teams in Major League Soccer. In Utah last Saturday, the Whitecaps started terribly, going two goals down inside the first nine minutes against Real Salt Lake, but the second half was much improved, and a late comeback ensured the Whitecaps left Rio Tinto Stadium with a point. The Big Question: Will either of the Uruguayans be given the chance to start? Nicolas Mezquida and Sebastian Fernandez made an impact coming off the bench at Real Salt Lake a week ago, both scoring a goal, including a fantastic strike from Fernandez in the final minute of stoppage time to tie the match. Prior to the game, Carl Robinson said last week that the Uruguayan duo had been performing very well in training and wear very close to getting a start in the team. Mezquida has appeared in four matches this season, all as a substitute, while Fernandez started the season but then was left on the bench after a couple of less effective performances. With a Canadian Championship semifinal against Toronto FC coming up on Wednesday, its likely Mezquida and Fernandez will start at least one of the two games. "Everyone will get their chance," said Robinson after training on Thursday. "As a player, all you want is the chance to play and show what you can do, and most of the players will get that chance." The Lineup: Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales missed the trip to Real Salt. Lake to try and heal a back problem that has plagued him in the opening weeks of the season, but if he has fully recovered, he is likely to return to the Whitecaps lineup. Once again, there is a big decision for Carl Robinson in the centre of defence. Last week, Jay DeMerit stayed at home as Honduran international Johnny Leveron partnered Andy OBrien at the back. Robinson must decide whether to stick with that pairing and bring some consistency to the back line, or bring DeMerit back into the eleven. Nigel Reo-Coker played the first three matches of the season but hasnt played since due to injury, coachs decision and most recently illness. Its doubtful that Reo-Coker will be considered for the starting lineup but he could return on the bench. The Opposition: San Jose Earthquakes started the season with a five match winless run, but that came to an end last weekend when they won 1-0 at home to Chivas USA. The Quakes are yet to win away from home this season, losing 1-0 at Kansas City and tying 0-0 at Colorado. Yannick Djalo scored the only goal of the game against Chivas. The 27-year-old from Portugal is still adapting in his first few weeks in Major League Soccer as he gets fully fit, but he is a quality addition for the Quakes this season, joining on loan from Benfica. 2012 MLS MVP Chris Wondolowski has scored three goals in six matches so far this season as he looks to win a place in Jurgen Klinsmanns United States squad for this summers World Cup in Brazil. The 31-year-old has an excellent goal scoring record against the Whitecaps. On a day where there will be plenty of focus on the soccer history of Vancouver, it is fitting that there is a heavy Vancouver presence amongst the Earthquakes coaching staff. Head Coach Mark Watson played for Whitecaps in 1994 and 2005 while assistant coach Nick Dasovic previously played for the 86ers and was a player coach with Caps from 2002 to 2005. Both men are from Vancouver. The Odds: The Earthquakes are yet to win in Vancouver against the Whitecaps in Major League Soccer and the Caps must be favourites heading in. Carl Robinsons team are four points ahead of the Quakes in the standings but have played two games more. The Whitecaps continue to develop under Robinson, but they must start to put together 90 minute performances if they are to get back to winning ways. Where To Watch: Whitecaps against San Jose is live on TSN2 on Saturday. Were on air with a special Whitecaps 40th anniversary pre-match show at 6:30pm et/3:30pm pt. Ryan Mathews Youth Jersey . MAKE IT SEVEN Facing elimination, the Montreal Canadiens came out of the gate quickly to take an early lead, got a few bounces and 26 saves from Carey Price on the way to a 4-0 win, tying the series at three games apiece. David Johnson Youth Jersey . 1. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Have won 15 straight games and suddenly here they are again in the mix regarding the discussion of what teams can be in the Finals in June. Dont beat you ever with flash but man, oh man lots of substance when you talk about this team. http://www.jerseyfootballchargersonline.com/johnnie-troutman-chargers-jersey/ . - John Elway is looking for a new coach after agreeing to part ways with John Fox following Denvers latest playoff meltdown. Marcus Gilchrist Chargers Jersey .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Seattle Seahawks, who lost a punshing physical game at San Francisco. Coincidentally, the Seahawks and Niners are now second and third in the rankings. Mike Scifres Jersey .com) - Looking to extend a five-game win streak, the 13th-ranked Iowa State Cyclones will clash with the Drake Bulldogs in the Hy-Vee Big Four Classic at Wells Fargo Arena on Saturday.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - After the Lakers roared away from the Knicks in the fourth quarter without even a point from Kobe Bryant, he put his long-standing friendly rivalry with Carmelo Anthony in perspective. "I enjoy going against Melo, because I always win," Bryant said with a grin. Although Bryant was exaggerating about his head-to-head advantage over Anthony, hes absolutely right about Los Angeles rivalry with New York over the past half-decade. Bryant scored 28 points in yet another dynamic performance against the Knicks, and the Lakers relied on stiff defence to roll to their ninth straight victory over New York, 99-82 Thursday night. Pau Gasol had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for the Lakers, who have won two straight after a 0-2 start to the compressed season. The Lakers have dominated this rivalry between the signature teams from the nations two largest cities in recent years, winning every meeting since February 2007 with Bryant averaging more than 34 points per game in the first eight. They easily took care of New York down the stretch, opening the fourth quarter with a 17-3 run to take a 22-point lead — and Bryant didnt even need to score, contributing three assists as Los Angeles finished strong. "We did a great job," Bryant said. "Its tough to hold down an offensive team like the Knicks. Were doing what were supposed to do." Steve Blake scored 11 points and hit two big three-pointers while the Lakers dominated the fourth quarter, forcing the Knicks to miss nine of their first 10 shots while committing seven turnovers. Anthony scored 27 points in his first showdown with Bryant since joining the Knicks, and Amare Stoudemire had 15 points on 4-for-17 shooting as New York again struggled down the stretch in the middle stop of a three-game West Coast road trip. For the second straight night, the Knicks showed none of the late-game poise they exhibited in a gritty Christmas win over Boston. "The Lakers are good, and were awful," New York coach Mike DAntoni said. "We didnt play well. We cant make shots. We started off really well. I thought the pace was good, the rhythm was good, and then it just went downhill from there." Tyson Chandler had 13 points and 11 rebounds in his hometown for the Knicks, whose nine-game skid against the Lakers is their longest current stretch against any opponent. "Everything is just difficult for us right now," Chandler said. "Weve just got to make things easier than theyve been." The Knicks frustration showed in technical fouls for each of their Big Three, who incessantly argued calls despite New Yorks 41-22 freee throw advantage.dddddddddddd "This game is about acting, and right now were reacting," Anthony said. "We just need to get out there and play ball. ... Were good. Not too much to worry about three games into the season. We will get better." Josh McRoberts scored 10 points for the Lakers, who made 23 of their 32 shots before halftime for their highest shooting percentage in one half in nearly 13 years. New York pulled within eight points heading into the fourth quarter, but then committed five turnovers in the next 2 1/2 minutes as reserves Blake and Matt Barnes led the Lakers runaway. Although Bryant is playing with a torn ligament in his right wrist that requires a brace whenever he isnt playing, the 13-time all-stars latest injury is doing little to slow him. He has scored at least 25 points in each of the Lakers games so far, and he shredded the Knicks spotty defence. "Kobe be lying. Kobe aint hurt," Anthony said with a laugh. "I know him." The Lakers were the only team to begin the season with three games in three nights, losing the first two before routing Utah on Tuesday for new coach Mike Browns first victory. Although the Lakers struggled early, theyve been downright dominant on defence in the past three games at home, showing theyre already picking up the finer points of Browns defence-based system. The Lakers, who held the Knicks to 31.3 per cent shooting, will get even better on defence with centre Andrew Bynum wrapping up his season-opening four-game suspension for his misbehaviour in last springs playoff finale. Hell be in the lineup for the Denver Nuggets visit to Staples Center on Saturday afternoon. The Lakers returned from their first day off with a sharp first half, taking a 16-point lead in the second quarter with crisp offensive execution that frequently left behind the Knicks. Anthony scored 18 points in the half with six field goals — the same number managed by all of his teammates combined. Bryant scored 13 points in the third quarter, even banking in a long three-pointer while getting fouled on a four-point play late in the period, but the Knicks trimmed Los Angeles lead to 80-72 heading into the fourth. NOTES: The Lakers made 77.1 per cent of their shots in the second half against Orlando on March 21, 1999. ... Baron Davis is travelling on the West Coast with the Knicks, but not playing while resting a herniated disc in his back. The veteran guard grew up in Los Angeles. ... Fans near courtside included USC QB Matt Barkley, Angels ace Jered Weaver, Willie McGinest, actress Kaley Cuoco and Richard Lewis, who sat in with the Lakers radio broadcast team. wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '