Events » move, the Timberwolves waived vet

VANCOUVER -- Camilo Sanvezzos dramatic departure from the Vancouver Whitecaps stunned the club and its supporters. The Brazilian star striker forced his way out of town in unprecedented fashion, first practising with Mexicos Queretaro F.C. before having his photograph taken in the teams kit -- all while he was still under contract in Major League Soccer. With no other option, the Whitecaps finally sold the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner and his 22 goals in mid-January. Viewed as a disaster by many, captain Jay DeMerit sees opportunity for the remaining strikers with the clubs pre-season training schedule already underway. "With Camilo being gone, something we have to make these guys understand is theres a spot open now," said the veteran defender. "A lot of times, when youre a competitor you look for opportunities to come in and make a difference. "With that spot being open, theres guys that have that chance. Ultimately as a pro you want that chance." One of those guys up front is 20-year-old Omar Salgado. The first overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Salgado has been hampered by injury early in his career. Now healthy, he will be counted on, along with fellow strikers Kenny Miller, Kekuta Manneh and Darren Mattocks, to pick up the slack. "Its one person less to compete with and we have to make up for those 22 goals he scored," Salgado said after Fridays fitness testing. "Between all the forwards were going to have to accomplish that. "Im feeling really good. Im feeling better than I have in the past year and a half so Im excited about this year and excited about the start of the season." Although theres opportunities up front with the Whitecaps, there are also many question marks. Miller, the clubs only current designated player, was also hampered by injury last season and its unclear where the 34-year-old stands with his contract set to expire in June. Mattocks, 23, fell out of favour with former manager Martin Rennie last year and blasted the team on Jamaican television after the season. Manneh, meanwhile, burst on to the scene with a memorable hat trick against the Seattle Sounders, but its hard to pin your goal-scoring hopes on a 19 year old. Miller, Mattocks and Manneh werent made available to the media Friday, but rookie Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said hes pleased with the different styles his current stable of strikers provide. "What they do is they offer me flexibility in the forward positions depending on what system I decide to play, which I know -- having variations of players playing in multiple positions," said Robinson. "Omar can play wide left, he can play centre forward. Kekuta can play wide left, centre forward or in the hole (behind the strikers), Kenny the same. "Obviously disappointed to lose Camilo -- losing 22 goals is a big thing -- but I want players that want to be here and if he doesnt want to be here then he shouldnt be here. Thats put to bed now and we move on." And although hes happy to sing the praises of his current strike quartet, its clear Robinson is eager to add more bodies to his attack. "I think its no secret and part of its how I want to put my stamp on this team," said the former Welsh international. "It might not be one, it might be two forward-thinking players and creative players. I think weve lacked a little bit of creativity over the last two years since Ive been here. "I think thats what we need to do to incorporate the strengths of the players already here." To say Robinsons first six weeks on the job have been hectic would be a gross understatement. His baptism by fire started with the Camilo saga and moved on to the MLS SuperDraft. Now a week into training camp, which opened Monday at the University of British Columbia, Robinson has finally had time to breathe. "Its been different. Its been exciting. I think the boys have bought into what me and the coaches have wanted to do," said Robinson. "Weve made it exciting for them. Weve made it enthusiastic and theyve put in the work. "I dont think you can really envisage anything after the first couple of weeks Ive had on the job but it is what it is. Its football, its soccer and you move forward. Im excited with this group that I have." With 13 of the 23 players on the first team being 23 years of age or younger, one of the veterans Robinson will count on in his inaugural season will be DeMerit. "One thing I always said was when I got an opportunity to be a manager, I will use the experience of the senior players," said Robinson. "Ive been there and Ive done it and I know what senior guys you need to be important within your team, on the field as well as off the field." DeMerit, 34, showed his commitment and resolve last season when he suffered a devastating Achilles injury in the first game, only to return in time to try to help the Whitecaps in their failed attempt to make the playoffs. "As older leaders of this group, its our job to help him," said DeMerit. "Theres a lot of young guys here that need that little push sometimes or that bit of mentorship or that little bit of leadership. "Myself and a couple of other guys will take that leadership role this year and were looking forward to it." Kevin Huerter Jersey . - Diego Fagundez scored his team-leading 13th goal of the season in the 76th minute to lift the Revolution to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Crew on Saturday night that kept New Englands playoff hopes alive. Vince Carter Jersey . This week, topics cover the World Series champion Red Sox, John Farrell and what to look forward to this off-season. http://www.authenticbasketballshophawks....n-hawks-jersey/. Both the top-seeded Djokovic and sixth-seeded Fish took relatively easy paths, with the Serb winning when opponent Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired in the second set with a sore arm and Fish dominating Janko Tipsarevic in two quick sets. Tracy Mcgrady Jersey . McCutchen was cut before the series opener against Seattle on Monday night, when Lewis was set for his first start for Texas since July 18, 2012. Texas selected Lewis contract from Triple-A Round Rock. Pete Maravich Jersey . Colorado came up big against Chicago last spring, and repeated that performance Tuesday night. Varlamov stopped 36 shots and Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche in a 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks.MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Timberwolves forward Dante Cunningham was arrested early Thursday on allegations of domestic assault and was being held without bail pending charges while his team left for a two-game road trip in Florida. Cunningham was booked into Hennepin County Jail just after 6 a.m., according to police records. The woman involved in the incident at Cunninghams suburban Minneapolis home did not require medical treatment, police said. The Timberwolves issued a statement saying they were aware of Cunninghams arrest and were in the process of gathering more information. "The Minnesota Timberwolves organization takes the matter very seriously and does not condone the type of behaviour that is associated with this situation," the statement read. "However, we need to let the legal process run its course, and will have further comment at the appropriate time." The team left for Miami on Thursday afternoon. The Wolves play the Heat on Friday and the Orlando Magic on Saturday before returning home. The 26-year-old Cunningham has been one of coach Rick Adelmans most trusted bench players over the last two years and is the primary backup to Kevin Love at power forward. He has played centre in smallerr lineups and has been able to guard almost every position besides point guard for a defensively challenged team.dddddddddddd In his fifth year in the league, Cunningham is averaging 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds this season. He is set to become a free agent on July 1 after completing the final year of his contract that pays him $2.1 million this season. Cunninghams arrest further depletes an already thin frontcourt for the Wolves. Center Nikola Pekovic has been bothered for the entire second half of the season by a sore right ankle while Ronny Turiaf just returned from a bruised right knee that caused him to miss 19 games. In an unrelated move, the Timberwolves waived veteran point guard A.J. Price on Thursday. Price played sparingly in 28 games for the Wolves this season, averaging 1.6 points. He had been unavailable recently after having an emergency appendectomy. Before Price was waived, the Wolves had the maximum 15 players on their roster, meaning they could not bring another player in. Cutting Price gives the team the flexibility to add a player, but Price was informed of the decision on Wednesday night after the Timberwolves defeated the Memphis Grizzlies and hours before Cunningham was arrested. ' ' '