Minecraft » defeated Poland 84-67 in Group C. In L

Despite not scoring a goal yet this season, Vancouver Whitecaps forward Darren Mattocks is a happy man these days. "He is in a good place – his work rate has been fantastic and when centre forwards work that hard they will get their rewards and his are coming," head coach Carl Robinson told me. The 23-year-old Mattocks has started all four games for the Whitecaps so far, coming off in both home victories, but when he has been withdrawn he has been a very active, lively member of the bench, cheering a team on that he finally feels a part of. He told me: "We are playing really well, we just have to keep working on things, improving, making space for each other, do the simple things right and then getting the results. "The simple things in soccer will make the biggest difference – everything else will then fall into place. The cohesion in the group right now is really good, we added not only some fantastic players but fantastic people...fun, loving guys and thats helped contribute to our success." As Mattocks tells me about the winter additions he nods his head over towards Robinson in a way of recognition for what the Welshman was able to do before a ball was even kicked this season. It is easy to see the relationship between coach and player is an important one. Happy Mattocks + Happy Robinson = A focused player on the field. When Robinson was given the job in December many saw his adoption of Mattocks as a negative storyline, with some expecting the Whitecaps to trade the inconsistent striker. Robinson disagreed. He went to work on how to get the best out of the Jamaican immediately. "He was one of the first phone calls I made, after I got the job. I know he has fantastic attributes, he lost his way a bit last year and I knew confidence was a problem with him because I saw in training what he can be, but didnt see it enough on a regular basis in games. If you are not playing, as a young player, if you are not handled correctly then you dont develop. I told him I would help him with this, I said it wont be easy but it was important for me to make his base stronger so he understands that he has support in different situations." Robinsons Mattocks Project was not exclusively about the player himself. "I spoke to (Portland boss) Caleb Porter at the draft and he knew a bit about Darrens background and how he dealt with Darren when he was with him at Akron and I used that and philosophy and have taken his advice and it seems to be working. I have to say, he has come back with a renewed attitude and we are seeing the results." Mattocks acknowledges he is different this season and doesnt think twice as to why. "For him to take time for me, it says a lot for you as a player, of course, but also as a person because Carl knew me outside of soccer and thats really important. If you want to get more out of a player, perhaps some coaches take it for granted not knowing more about players outside of soccer, but Carl got to know me that way and thats translated now into our relationship back into soccer as well. Its a big confidence booster to know the coach has got your back, and is willing to play you game in, game out. We have a really good relationship." When asked if that is what he lacked in 2013, Mattocks refuses to be drawn on last season and his issues with then-coach Martin Rennie, saying: "I mean, I wouldnt say it wasnt there – just some things were missing last year and Carl has taken care of that and helped me focus more on my game." Despite playing sparingly under Rennie last year, the thing most people will remember Mattocks for last year was that interview he did in Jamaica where he certainly didnt help the image of himself or his club. Five months on, Mattocks says he has long since forgotten about it, saying: "I am an honest person, you know, it came out the wrong way and I take full responsibility for what I did, but its long gone and I have looked past it. I have learned from it, it will never happen again and I just need to keep looking forward." The Jamaican did admit that he prayed about the situation and leaned on his relationship with God afterwards. "Faith is the biggest thing for me. I have always put God first in everything, good and bad. There are times when people go through some trials and tribulations but I genuinely believe that if you have faith in God and you are a strong believer, everything else will take care of itself." During the off-season, Mattocks, who says he never goes out to party, spent a lot of down time with a small support group he trusts, including his girlfriend, mom and two elder brothers. However, he didnt need time away from the game. "I love soccer, I watch all the leagues but the Premier League is very big in Jamaica – they love it there – as a boy growing up there you dream of playing in the Premier League and hopefully, one day, I can play there but I dont want to get too far ahead of myself, for now I want to help this league grow and do my best for Vancouver." Mattocks doesnt hesitate when asked about his favourite player, almost breaking away from his quiet tone to shout Steven Gerrard. "My favourite team is Liverpool. Gerrard is a fantastic leader and role model and I try to emulate him on the field as much as I can. Its been a great season, amazing and hopefully we can get the title, we have a pretty good chance." We talk more about the Premier League and when we talk about when Robinson was playing at that level, his eyes widen in awe of his new mentor. "Hes a lucky guy eh? Thats why he is really good as a manager because he is played there and in MLS and as a young coach he is really fantastic, I know he is going to be a really good coach for a long time." As well as helping Mattocks to one day reach another level, Robinson has helped him get his passion back for the game. "Firstly, I have to be grateful to God for giving me this opportunity and I need to thank God for giving me this talent but, to be honest, it is a fantastic feeling to play professional soccer game in, game out, it is great. "I tell my girlfriend all of the time I just dont think I could do a 9 to 5 job, take nothing away from those who do it, but I am really happy with what I am doing and I am so grateful to God and I hope I continue to have success and making sure I do the small things right." Now a Jamaican international goalscorer, Mattocks dreams of making it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia but his priorities for 2014 are firmly set on the ground in Vancouver where the maturation process continues to be in effect, on and off the field, as he learns from experienced players like Jay DeMerit, Kenny Miller and Andy OBrien. "They know what it takes, they have played at the highest level and they bring their leadership and experience but, importantly, they are so humble and its a real credit to all of those guys that they want this club to grow. They are really even keel – they dont get too high or low and thats rubbing off on the young players, and it is most definitely, rubbing off on me." A smiling Mattocks leaves the interview with a spring in his step. The only thing to make him happier would be a goal to ignite his season. Oh, and a certain player lifting a certain trophy at Anfield in May. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . The Mavericks avoided a season sweep by the Nuggets, who ran away with a win in Denver two weeks ago to hand Dallas its longest losing streak at three games. Dallas (42-28) got a boost in the playoff race when Miami rallied from seven down in the last 3 1/2 minutes to beat Memphis 91-86 Friday night. Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys Authentic . He, the 25-year-old Toronto backup net-minder and Manitoba native, would be making just his fourth start in the past 16 games against the Jets the following evening. It was the word of opportunity for Reimer, who has fallen into the role of backup, outmatched in recent weeks by Jonathan Bernier, his Quebec counterpart. http://www.cheapgoldenknightsjerseys.com/.James scored 29 points, including 16 in the first quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers broke a four-game losing streak with a 106-74 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys . With Bernard hurt, the second-round pick has emerged.Hill ran for 152 yards during a 27-10 win at New Orleans on Sunday, his second big game. He also ran for 154 yards against Jacksonville earlier this season. Cheap Golden Knights Jerseys China .J. -- Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils took a lot of grief considering his scored the first of his career-best three goals just 12 seconds into a crucial game against the Florida Panthers.LJUBLJANA, Slovenia -- A youthful Germany team missing Dirk Nowitzki got 19 points from Robin Benzing to earn an upset 80-74 win over France to start of the European championship on Wednesday. France, the runner-up two years ago, got 18 points from Tony Parker but faded as Benzing scored the last five points of the game for the second youngest team in the 24-nation tournament. "Nobody believed in us but we all believed. This is a great victory," Germany captain Heiko Schaffartzik said. Spain, which beat France in the final two years ago, limited Croatia to three points in the final quarter and began its bid for a third straight title with a crushing 68-40 victory. Marc Gasol had 14 points and 11 rebounds, Rudy Fernandez added 15 points, Jose Calderon had 13 and Ricky Rubio had seven assists to go with seven points as Spain dominated the Group C match in Celje, outscoring Croatia 19-3 in the fourth. When Calderon nailed a 3-pointer for a 47-29 lead in the third quarter, the game was decided and Spain cruised home. Spain is seeking to become the first team to win three consecutive European titles since Yugoslavia in the 1970s. The Spaniards are playing without stars Pau Gasol, Serge Ibaka and Juan Carlos Navarro. Bojan Bogdanovic had 12 points for Croatia. Serbia, the youngest team, beat Lithuania 63-56 behind 20 points from centre Nenad Krstic. Nemanja Nedovic added 14 in the Group B match. Russia, bronze medallist two years ago, also lost, going down 76-69 to Italy, which got 25 points from Luigi Datone. Host Slovenia eked out a 62-60 victory over the Czech Republic in Group C. Germany finished the first quarter of the Group A game with a 10-0 run to take a 27-14 lead and France did not lead until the start if the fourth quarter. Trailing by three, Germany pulled even on Luccas Steigers 3-pointer and the shooting guard made another one to put Germany ahead for good. Parker then scored with a layup but Benziing nailed a 3-pointer and made two free throws with 13 seconds left as Nicolas Batum missed two back-to-back 3-point attempts.dddddddddddd "They made the big shots and deserved to win," Parker said. In Group B in Jesenice, Montenegro edged Macedonia, a semifinalist two years ago, 81-80, with American-born guard Tyrese Rice nailing two free throws with 10 seconds remaining. Bo McCalebb, another American-born guard, led Macedonia with 23 points but missed a layup to win the game. Rice and Suad Sehovic had 16 points each for Montenegro, which overcame the absence of its star big man Nikola Pekovic. Another American-born guard, Eugene Jeter, also played a key role in Ljubljana, converting a three-point play with three seconds remaining to give Ukraine a 58-57 win over Belgium in Group A. Jeter put in a layup, drew a foul and converted the free throw to finish with eight points. Ihor Zaytsev of Ukraine led all scorers with 16. "Were very fortunate the way the game turned out from the stand point of having scored only 26 points in first half," said Ukraines American coach Mike Fratello. Greece rolled past Sweden 79-51 in Group D. Earlier, Kyle Johnson scored 22 points and Kieron Achara added 18 with 13 rebounds to lead Britain to a 75-71 overtime upset victory over Israel in the first Group A match. Also, Finland got 12 points apiece from Petteri Koponen and Sasu Salin to stun Turkey 61-55 in Group D in Koper, while Latvia beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 86-75 in Group B and Georgia defeated Poland 84-67 in Group C. In Ljubljana, Israel took the lead for the first time in the third quarter but never managed to pull away. Andrew Lawrence made two free throws to send the game into overtime. A layup by Lawrence gave Britain a 73-71 lead with 16 seconds remaining in overtime. Afik Nissim, who led Israel with 17 points, then lost the ball and Andrew Sullivan sank two free throws to seal the victory. 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