Bayern Trupp » Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnac

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps have cleared many hurdles in their four Major League Soccer seasons. One hedge that has continually tripped them up is playing the L.A. Galaxy on the road. Vancouver has never beaten the Galaxy at StubHub Center, where they have lost four times and been outscored 10-1. Catch the game on TSN starting at 10:30pm et/7:30pm pt. "Thanks for reminding me," coach Carl Robinson said with a grin this week after his team practised at the University of British Columbia. "Its got to change at some stage." The Whitecaps (2-1-2) are aware of the challenge they face when they play the Galaxy (1-1-1) Saturday in Carson, Calif. The team is packing a sense of confidence for the road trip. The Whitecaps have managed a win and tie against the Galaxy at B.C. Place Stadium. Saturdays game is another chance to measure themselves against one of MLSs perennial powerhouses. "Both sides have good competitors," said Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit. "Them being one of the better teams its a time for us to raise our game and really test ourselves and see how good we are. "That creates that battle sense." The Whitecaps are coming off their first defeat of the season, a 2-1 home loss to the Colorado Rapids last week. Vancouver led 1-0 but, playing one man down, gave up two goals in as many minutes to Rapids midfielder Jose Mari. "Those things happen and you move on," said DeMerit. "Knowing the calibre of team we are up against this weekend, that should excite us. That should take our focus and make sure we are preparing right. If we do the right things we can beat anyone in this league." The Whitecaps will be without midfielder Matias Laba who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards against Colorado. He could be replaced by Nigel Reo-Coker who missed two games after tripping over a bike rack and bashing his head. The 29-year-old from London was back practising with the team this week sporting an ugly scar on his head and a desire to get back on the pitch. "Im excited," said Reo-Coker, who started the first three games of the season. "When you sit out and watch one or two games its not nice. "Im someone who is used to competing." DeMerit said Reo-Coker makes the Whitecaps more abrasive. "Nigel brings a grit, he brings competitiveness, he brings a toughness in the tackle," he said. "He can really help us going forward when he gets the ball at this feet and drives at the defence." The Whitecaps have been a tale of two teams this year. Both their wins have come at home where they have outscored their opponents 7-4 in three matches. On the road Vancouver has managed two draws and just one goal. Robinson relishes the challenge the Galaxy present. "Were a young evolving team," said the first-year head coach. "It will be a good test to see where we are. "Its important we go on the road and try and dictate what we can, control ourselves, deal with them attacking wisely but putting a focus on us attacking." The Galaxy won their first match of the season with a 3-0 defeat of Chivas USA last week. Captain Robbie Keane scored his second goal of the season in the match. Keane has 36 goals and 22 assists in 58 MLS games since joining the Galaxy in 2011. Forward Landon Donovan needs just one goal to reach 135. That would make him the MLS all-time regular-season leader in goals scored. Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted said he doesnt want to be the answer to a trivia question. "It would be nice not to be that guy," said Ousted. "I am trying to keep a clean sheet so it doesnt matter who scores." Donovan has scored four goals against the Whitecaps, the most of any L.A. player. Keane and Donovan combine for a dangerous one-two punch, but defender Andy OBrien said its dangerous to focus on them because the Galaxy have plenty of other players able to deliver a knockout blow. "If you emphasize on Keane there are 11 players on the pitch," said OBrien, who has been a teammate with Keane on the Irish national team. "Not only does Robbie score goals he creates goals. "We need to close him down. He is one of a number of players theyve got that can score goals. From a defensive prospective you try to make life difficult for him and stick to it." DeMerit agreed the Whitecaps cant become too focused on just two Galaxy players. "One of their best qualities is they have a lot of interchangeable parts," he said. "You will see guys on the left end up on the right and guys in the centre on the left. "Guys have to make sure they are sticking with their jobs and their spots on the field. They are going to try to get us moving and change around. Defensively we need to be wary of that and get help from all 11 (players) defensively, not just the back four." Adidas Superstar Skor Herr . - Josh Sterk scored twice to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 7-1 rout of the Ottawa 67s in Mondays Ontario Hockey League action. Adidas Superstar Herr Rea . Price was hurt at the start of Wednesdays practice after facing just one shot as the team worked on their power play. He left the ice in discomfort and appeared to be favouring his leg. A Habs source told TSNs John Lu that Price suffered the injury in Sochi and not before the Olympics. http://www.nmdsverige.com/nmd-cs2-adidas-skor.html. The question all fans want to know heading into this light heavyweight affair is will Rua display his true potential. Working with UFC welterweight fighter Demian Maias team in Sao Paulo Brazil and having training partners such as fellow UFC stand outs Fabio Maldonado and Daniel Sarafian, the 32-year old feels very well prepared for Friday nights encounter. Adidas NMD R2 Herr . "Im very pleased to be able to add a quarterback with Adrians experience and skill set," Calgary head coach and general manager John Hufnagel said in a statement. Adidas NMD Rabatt .com) - Nino Williams posted 18 points and seven rebounds, as Kansas State edged No.Ricky Nolasco takes the mound opposite R.A. Dickey on Monday night when the Minnesota Twins open a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. Nolasco will try to pick up where he left off against Milwaukee on Wednesday, when he went seven innings and gave up four runs on six hits to go along with seven strikeouts. Most of that damage came on a three-run homer to Aramis Ramirez in the seventh. For Toronto, Dickey eyes up a third win in his last four starts. He labored through five innings at Detroit his last time out, as he allowed four walks and seven hits. However, Dickey also struck out four and yielded only two earned runs. "It felt like a tightrope the whole game," Dickey said. "You have three or four games a year where your body is just cranky. Who knows what its from? It could be that Im getting close to 40 years old. That could be something, too. "Its not an issue. Ive had cranky days before and pitched well. Its just something I need to monitor and be ready to go (Monday)." After reeling off six straight wins and 15 of 17 overall, Toronto suffered consecutive 5-0 lossess to St.dddddddddddd Louis over the weekend as the bats have suddenly gone silent. The Blue Jays, one of the top hitting teams in the AL, combined for only seven hits in those two losses. Middle-of-the-lineup stalwarts Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion went 0-for-14. "Its hard to put a finger on it," manager John Gibbons said of his teams first series loss in seven tries. Minnesota has lost three of its last four games and currently resides at the bottom of the AL Central standings. The team is coming off Sundays lopsided, 14-5 setback to the Houston Astros. Twins pitchers gave up four home runs on the day, including a pair of grand slams to Chris Carter and Jon Singleton. Starter Samuel Deduno lasted just three innings. Mondays opener kicks off a nine-game road swing for the Twins, who will also face Detroit and Boston during the trip. The team signed designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a prorated one-year, $12 million contract over the weekend, although he is not expected to play in this series. Minnesota won two of three when these teams squared off in April. ' ' '