WINNIPEG -- Some played together in college, others may have played on the same professional teams, but Thursday evening those friendships get pushed aside as Canada once again tries to beat the United States in womens soccer. http://www.nygiantsfanatic.com/c-13-giants-mark-herzlich-jersey.aspx . Its something the Canadians havent managed since 2001 but this time theyll have a home crowd edging close to 30,000 to cheer them on at Investors Group Field, the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "Its a game that Canada wont dominate," Canadian coach John Herdman said Wednesday after their final practice before the game. "Were not going to have 700 shots and 700 crosses, so the fans have got to be ready to really get behind us when we need (them). We know these games are always tough tight games, hopefully." In club and varsity soccer, Canadians and Americans play side-by-side. Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, for example, is an attack partner of American star Alex Morgan on Portland Thorns FC of the National Womens Soccer League. But internationally its a different story as the neighbouring countries have developed a strong rivalry. Canada is ranked seventh in the world in womens soccer and the U.S. sits at No. 1, but American midfielder Lauren Holiday suggests those numbers dont necessarily reflect the way things play out on the field. "Every game is such a battle, you never know whos going to win," says Holiday. "Every time we play them its such a fierce competition that . . . anything can happen." The rivalry intensified after Canadas semifinal loss to the United States at the last Olympics. The U.S. team went on to win gold but Canada won the bronze medal, an event which has meant a lot for womens soccer. Herdman says the country now needs to do more capitalize on the strong base of players now developing across Canada. "Weve got the third largest playing population in the world and we cant produce a consistent podium team." He says there are 350,000 girls playing soccer in Canada, compared with just 30,000 in perennial contender Japan. This game is just a friendly but it will give both national teams another chance to see how they stack up against a top tier opponent prior to next years Womens World Cup. And while Canada wont be playing there, the U.S. team might end up playing in Winnipeg, one of the venues for the 2015 event also being held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton. Herdman also said jokingly that this game is basically dedicated to midfielder Desiree Scott, a Winnipeg native who joined him at the final pre-game news conference. She will be playing live in front of her family for the first time in her national team career. "I think its going to be the Desi Scott show tomorrow," said Herdman. "I think the whole of Manitobas going to come and see her in action. . . "Its a proud moment for the team. Weve all got a massive smile on our face cause the local girl gets to come home. Can you imagine playing in front of your mom and your family for the first time, no pressure Des." Scott likes the buzz. "Im just trying to thrive off the excitement of playing at home," said Scott, nicknamed "The Destroyer." "And being in front of my family and friends, I think it will definitely give me that energy." For both Herdman and interim head U.S. coach Jill Ellis, this is very much about preparing for the World Cup. "I think for our players its just a great opportunity to play against a quality opponent," said Ellis, U.S. Soccers director of development who took over when Tom Sermanni was fired last month. "Im just hoping the crowd now will get a real sense of whats coming in 2015," said Herdman. "This country will stop at some point. This team will make the country stop and everyone will tune in. Its just going to be an amazing experience for womens sport." http://www.nygiantsfanatic.com/c-30-giants-darian-thompson-jersey.aspx . Fisher, one ahead overnight, carded a 5-under-par 67, including seven birdies and two bogeys, at Copperleaf to lie at 18 under after three rounds. His fourth and last tour win was the Irish Open in 2010, when he also played in the Ryder Cup. http://www.nygiantsfanatic.com/c-22-giants-marshall-newhouse-jersey.aspx .C. -- Authorities say the brother of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has been shot and killed outside a South Carolina nightclub. http://www.nygiantsfanatic.com/c-20-giants-will-tye-jersey.aspx . The Penguins announced the successful surgery Wedneday night on the teams official web site. Dupuis suffered the injury in a game against the Ottawa Senators on Dec.Raptors Top Five: Best point guards With the Toronto Raptors celebrating their 20th anniversary season in 2014-15, Josh Lewenberg and TSN.ca take a look back at the franchises first two decades with weekly Top Five lists, counting down the standout and signature players and moments in team history. 5. T.J. Ford (2006-08) Raptor stats (2 seasons): 13.2 points, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 126 games played/97 started One of the first orders of business for incoming general manager Bryan Colangelo, upon taking the helm prior to the 2006-07 campaign, was to shore up the point guard position. Although his initial gamble - the selection of Andrea Bargnani, first overall - will go down as a black mark on the former GMs resume, he would hit a home run just two days later, acquiring the speedy Ford from Milwaukee and selling high on then-rookie sensation Charlie Villanueva. Ford made an immediate impact, averaging 14.0 points and a personal-best 7.9 assists, helping to lead the franchise to its first division title in his debut year with the Raptors. Listed at a generous six-feet, Ford was a fearless player - its what made him great and loads of fun to watch before it ultimately ended his career early. Not unlike his time in the league, Fords Raptor tenure was short lived, derailed by serious neck and spinal injuries. He shares a common thread with others on this list in the way he fought through that adversity - refusing to compromise his style of play - but doesnt get the same recognition for it. Did you know?: Ford assisted on 44.6 per cent of his teammates field goals while on the floor as a member of the Raptors, the highest mark in franchise history. 4. Jose Calderon (2005-13) Raptor stats (8 seasons): 10.0 points, 7.2 assists, 1.7 turnovers, 48 per cent FG, 39 percent 3P, 525 games played/323 started More so than anyone else on this list, Calderon is the type of player that comes to mind when you think of the throw-back point guard, a dying breed in basketball. A truly selfless leader, the Spaniard remains a consummate professional and teammate, now with his third team in two years since being traded in the deal that netted the Raptors Rudy Gay. His NBA home will always be in Toronto, where he spent nearly a decade and grew into one of the more dependable floor generals in the league. When Calderon debuted in 2005 he could barely speak the language or knock down an open jumper (16 per cent from three-point range). Thanks in large part to the work he put in over the years that followed, he would go on to lead the NBA, shooting a ridiculous 46 per cent from long distance in 2012-13, his final season in Toronto. Routinely at the top of the association in assist-to-turnover ratio, Calderons near-flawless instincts on the offensive end helped him overtake a number of flashier point guards in the rotation, including Ford, leading to the latters departure. Underestimate him at your own peril. Defensive shortcomings aside, Calderon had a lasting impact on the franchise and wont soon by forgotten. Did you know?: Calderon ranks third in Raptors history in win shares (an estimate of the number of wins contributed by a player) at 41.5, behind only Chris Bosh and Vince Carter. Hes the Raptors all-time leader in assists (3770) 3. Alvin Williams (1998-2006) Raptor stats (8 seasons): 9.3 points, 4.3 assists, 1.4 turnovers, 417 games played/324 started To clarify, while Williams remains one of, if not the most beloved Raptor of all time, hes here because of his on-court contributions and overall importance to the franchise. No, his numbers dont stand out, theyre modest at best. That said, Boogie peaked at the right time and came into his own just as the Raptors reached their pinnacle - not a coincidence. An excellent defender and clutch shooter, Williams was the perfect sidekick to Carter in the backcourt. He broke out as a reserve in 2000-01, prompting his promotion and the midseason trade of Mark Jackson before hitting the biggest shot of his career - and posssibly Raptors history - in the playoffs, a series-winning dagger at Madison Square Garden. http://www.nygiantsfanatic.com/c-21-giants-janoris-jenkins-jersey.aspx. The following season he played in all 82 games, averaging 11.8 points and 5.7 assists, helping lead Toronto to an unexpected playoff berth without the injured Carter to lean on. More than anything else, Williams is known for his toughness. That and his crucial role in the franchises biggest moments make him deserving of this spot. Did you know?: Williams has appeared in 18 playoff games for the Raptors, tied with Morris Peterson for most in team history. 2. Damon Stoudamire (1995-98) Raptor stats (3 seasons): 19.6 points, 8.8 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 200 games played/200 started An original Raptor, Stoudamire was also the franchises first ever star, and a marketable one at that. He burst onto the scene as a rookie in 1995-96, the teams inaugural season, averaging 19.0 points and 9.3 assists. The lone bright spot during the organizations early years, Mighty Mouse intrigued a young fan base with his crafty, fast-paced style of play and was at the forefront of some signature moments, namely Torontos unlikely victory over Michael Jordan and the 72-win Chicago Bulls. At 5-foot-10, Stoudamire could do the unimaginable. He was durable, lightning quick and like Williams - a player he was ultimately traded for - tough as nails. Alas, the relationship between player and franchise turned sour and Stoudamires production proved to be unsustainable once he engineered his own exit and moved on from the Raptors. You could certainly argue he was nothing more than a good player putting up great numbers on a bad team, but that shouldnt tarnish his Raptors legacy. For the first two and a half years of their existence, the Raptors featured one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA, an ideal set-up for any infant franchise. Did you know?: Stoudamire logged an average of 40.9 minutes per game in his rookie season, the seventh-highest among first-year players in NBA history. The six players ahead of him (Wilt Chamberlain, Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Walt Bellamy and Jerry Lucas) are all Hall of Famers. Hes also the Raptors all-time leader in assists per game (8.
1. Kyle Lowry (2012-present) Raptor stats (2 seasons): 15.0 points, 6.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 147 games played/131 started Lowrys all-star caliber 2013-14 campaign will go down as one of the most impressive single-season performances by any player, at any position in the franchises first 20 years. After a disappointing debut season in Toronto and a series of lost years in Houston and Memphis, the 28-year-old finally realized his immense potential, finding himself at the most crucial time for both player and team. With free agency looming, Lowrys maturation as a leader - on and off the court - lifted his team to new heights at a time in which many expected them to head in the opposite direction. By channeling his toughness and stubborn nature in the right direction, he established himself as the face of the franchise - now and for the foreseeable future - and one of the NBAs elite point guards. Perhaps his most meaningful contribution to the organization occurred this summer when he bucked the trend of runaway stars and committed to Toronto long-term. Lowry - a two-way terror at the position - has spearheaded a Raptors renaissance, rejuvenating a long-suffering fan base entering the teams 20th season. Did you know?: Lowry set a franchise-record with 190 three-point field goals last season. His 11.7 win shares represented the third highest single-season mark in team history, behind only Carter. Honourable mention: Mike James (2005-06), Rafer Alston (2002-03, 2004-05), Muggsy Bogues (1999-2001), Mark Jackson (2000-01) Expert picks: Jack Armstrong 1. Alvin Williams 2. Jose Calderon 3. Damon Stoudamire 4. Kyle Lowry 5. T.J. Ford Leo Rautins 1. Kyle Lowry 2. Damon Stoudamire 3. Jose Calderon 4. Alvin Williams 5. Mark Jackson Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
Statistics: Posted by vive123654 — Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:43 am