What a difference 12 months makes! After finishing at the bottom of the pile in MLS in their inaugural season in the league, the Vancouver Whitecaps are now playoff bound. On Sunday, they became the first Canadian club in MLS history to qualify for the post-season, completing a major turnaround. However, celebrations in Vancouver have been tempered by the way in which the Caps have stumbled towards the end of the year. Vancouvers 1-0 loss at home to the Portland Timbers at BC Place meant they needed a big favour from their Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders. The Sounders duly obliged, dispatching FC Dallas 3-1 and ending the Texas clubs pursuit of the Whitecaps. The defeat against Portland means the Caps current run is now just one win in the last nine games. However, that shouldnt overshadow a landmark moment. Its the nature of sports fans that they always want better for their team, but the magnitude of the Whitecaps success seems to have been lost amongst the disappointment of a late-season slide. They limped over the finish line, but the only thing that should really matter is that they managed to cross it. This is a team that finished last in MLS just twelve months ago - now, theyve qualified for the post-season with a game to spare. That is a major achievement, yet doom and gloom has permeated through much of the discussion following the weekends action. Of course, there are reasons for the Caps fans frustration. The performance against Portland wasnt anywhere near good enough. The fact the Whitecaps failed to produce on a night when everything was on the line is certainly reason for concern. Designated Players Kenny Miller and Barry Robson struggled to influence the game and the Caps looked far from the rampant attacking force that had destroyed Chivas USA in the previous match. By the time Dane Richards and Darren Mattocks were brought into the game there just wasnt enough space for them to use their pace with the Timbers sitting so deep defending their lead. Critics point to the mid-season overhaul of the squad as being the reason for recent struggles after an extremely impressive start, but theres very little that can be achieved by playing the blame game at this stage of the season. Its impossible to tell how different the outcome would have been if the Caps had stuck with Davide Chiumiento, Sebastien Le Toux and Eric Hassli. In my opinion, Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie deserves massive praise for what he has managed to achieve in his first season in MLS. He has transformed a team that finished as the leagues worst last October. Hes learning, building for the future and has still managed to bring success. Im sure Rennie would acknowledge that along the way he has made some mistakes this year - but thats to be expected with a rookie MLS head coach. In fact, thats to be expected from any coach of any age anywhere around the world. Rennie has been charged with laying the foundation for long-term success but has also managed to deliver on the Caps number one pre-season priority of qualifying for the playoffs. While fans are clamouring to see greater production from Kenny Miller and Barry Robson, the addition of Andy OBrien in the centre of defence alongside Jay DeMerit has made the club look much more solid at the back. The Caps had kept two clean sheets in a row heading into Sundays match against the Timbers and were only beaten by a Jack Jewsbury wonder-strike. That partnership will be key to Vancouvers chances of advancing past the reigning MLS Cup Champions LA Galaxy. Heading into the playoffs, there are big decisions ahead for Rennie as he looks to find the right formula at the other end of the pitch. With Miller, Mattocks, Richards and Camilo plus Omar Salgado now available there are no shortage of options. For the Whitecaps, the challenge is getting the best out of those players for the maximum benefit of the team. Its certainly not an ideal situation. At this stage of the year it would of course be desirable to have a settled lineup that exudes confidence and belief. If the Whitecaps dont dig deep and find big improvement from Sundays performance their first taste of the MLS playoffs wont last long, but right now there are nine other clubs that would gladly switch places with them. Whatever happens against LA, this season should be declared a big success and the clubs progress in the space of 12 months indicates even better times are just around the corner. LA Galaxy against Vancouver Whitecaps will be live on TSN on Thursday November 1 in the MLS Playoffs Western Conference Knockout Round. cheap nfl jerseys paypal . Catcher Wil Nieves also was also placed on the disabled list because of turf toe in his right foot and right-handed pitcher Tyler Chatwood was optioned to Double-A Tulsa. cheap jerseys . Veteran Kerry Joseph walked off the field with a wide grin, telling teammates it was a sign. Whatever the portents, the 39-year-old Joseph enters Sundays CFL Eastern Conference semifinal against the Argonauts with plenty of history. http://www.wholesalenflch... . Minnesota will get Jeremias Pineda, who was playing in Class-A. The deal was announced during the Twins-Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Sunday. [url=http://www.wholesalenflcheapjerseysfromchina.biz/]cheap jerseys usa . El Shaarawy, who also scored in the loss at Udinese on Sunday, netted in each half and also had an effort deflected onto the crossbar as Milan ended the jinx of the new San Siro pitch. Wholesale nfl jerseys china . It was one too many. Beachy allowed just three hits, one a home run to Jesus Flores, and the Atlanta Braves lost to the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Saturday.ST. CATHARINES, Ont. -- The Niagara IceDogs capped off a banner-raising evening with a 4-2 victory over the Erie Otters in Ontario Hockey League action Thursday night. Anthony DiFruscias first OHL goal proved to be the winner for Niagara (1-0), while Joel Wigle, Steven Shipley on the power play and David Sysala also scored. Connor Crisp had a power-play goal for Erie (0-1) and Nick Betz had a goal as well. The Otters were outshot 30-29 overall. Festarini made 27 saves in the win over his former team. Oscar Dansk, in his OHL debut, turned aside 26 shots in the loss. Eries Connor McDavid, the first overall pick in the OHLs select draft, was held off the scoresheet in his debut. The 15-year old was granted exceptional status to play in the league this season. The IceDogs raised their Central Division Champion, and Eastern Conference Championship banners to the arenas rafters before the game. Generals 5, Petes 2 Lucas Lessio and Boone Jenner starred on the first day of the Ontario Hocckey Leagues season.dddddddddddd They both scored a pair of goals Thursday to the lead the Oshawa Generals to a 5-2 win over the Peterborough Petes. At Peterborough, Ont., Matt Petgrave had three assists for Oshawa (1-0-0). Menard and Pierog each scored a goal and as assist for Peterborough (0-1-0). Colts 6, 67s 4@ At Ottawa, Anthony Camara had a hat trick to lead Barrie to a victory over the 67s. Winnipeg Jets prospect Mark Scheifele scored and added three assists for the Colts (1-0-0), while Erik Bradford and Brendan Bell rounded out the scoring. Sean Monahan had a pair of goals and an assist for Ottawa (0-1-0), while Michal Cajkovsky and Remy Giftopoulos also scored. Attack 6, Spitfires 1@ At Windsor, Ont., Cameron Brace scored twice as Owen Sound defeated the Spitfires. Gilbert Gabor, Gemel Smith, Daniel Catenacci, Jaden Lindo all scored for the Attack (1-0-0). Michael Clarke was the lone scorer for Windsor (0-1-0) with a power-play goal. ' ' '