Broken Wings » around star forward Lionel Messi. Messi himself is going tsw

Despite their speed, skill and creativity, there is something missing from the Whitecaps and it was plainly evident both Saturday at Columbus and Wednesday night versus Toronto. Theyre missing the knockout punch. Coach Carl Robinson indicated a few weeks ago that if hes looking to add to the squad, a pure finisher is top of his list. Someone who can score with both feet, his head, from a dead ball, open play. Beautiful goals, ugly goals - the Caps need a bona fide poacher to mix in with an already potent and dynamic group. Someone like, oh, I dont know - Camilo? Many supporters and even media types will not forgive, but Im willing to wager that eventually they would forget after the first spectacular game-winning goal. If Liverpools Luis Suarez taught us anything, its how quickly things can change in the court of public opinion. Something unexpected happened since the brilliant Brazilian walked away from Vancouver. The team didnt fall to pieces like many thought it would. In fact, overall its actually a better, more balanced side than the one he led in scoring last season. Kenny Miller chipped in, Darren Mattocks found his finishing touch while also becoming a provider, while Kekuta Manneh carried on where he left off last year. The Whitecaps have also found some goals and chances from the midfield for the first time in their MLS era thanks to Pedro Morales. Even Erik Hurtado, who seemed to have the touch of a blacksmith, has found his goal scoring mojo of late while adding clever movements to his very unique and powerful skill set. There are two facts we cant ignore about Camilos turbulent tenure in Mexico. He desperately wants to come back and the Whitecaps would love to have his Golden Boot-winning abilities. Carl Robinson always had a great relationship with the 25-year-old and has remained in touch to this day. The path back to Vancouver for Camilo would be a murky ambiguous, not to mention unprecedented one. There has been all kinds of speculation as to how Vancouver might reacquire the diminutive marksman in the event his troubled Mexican club had its hand forced. Youd think MLS would want to assist Vancouver in that process after the PR nightmare for both club and league back in January. Whether the Whitecaps could bring him back with his team of handlers is another question. His chief advisor and close friend orchestrated a move that did not serve his clients best interests. But is that enough for Camilo to end their long association? Im sure the Whitecaps would prefer to deal with agents they trust. One also has to wonder whether Camilo could justify a DP slot and the corresponding salary, especially in the wake of Kenny Millers departure. It might have been the 34-year-old Scotsmans DP distinction, salary and relative production output that led to the Brazilians departure in the first place. Camilo had plenty of statistical leverage to justify a substantial pay raise. The Whitecaps added threat with a Camilo-like player wouldnt just come from the goals he bags, but also the attention he would take away from some of the other aforementioned threats. In a league with so much parity, a goal here or a free kick there could mean the difference between several rungs of the Western Conference ladder. In the meantime, the Whitecaps will watch and wait with a number 9 jersey available. Whether League MX and the Mexican government deliver their own knockout punch to the rogue club from Queretaro remains to be seen. Bill Walton Jersey . "I could have been equipment manager but nooooo" from Lisa on Ice. Season 6, Episode 8. Anfernee Simons Jersey . Appearing on TSN 1050 on Tuesday, Sean McAdam of Comcast SportsNet New England reported that the Blue Jays, along with a number of other playoff contenders were in the mix for the Boston ace. http://www.blazersteamofficial.com/Damian-Lillard-Blazers-Jersey/ . The international synchronized skating competition takes place from January 31 - February 1, 2014, and features 39 teams from 10 countries, in senior, junior, and novice. Gary Trent Jr. Jersey .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday. Brandon Roy Jersey . -- Craig Anderson has quite a record against his former team, the Florida Panthers.BARCELONA, Spain -- The president of Spanish champion Barcelona resigned on Thursday to fight criminal accusations he misappropriated funds from the signing of Brazil forward Neymar. Sandro Rosell is facing a lengthy legal battle after a judge in Madrid ruled on Wednesday he will hear a lawsuit that alleges the real cost of Neymars transfer from Santos last year was hidden. "I dont want unfair attacks to negatively affect (the) management or the image of the club. This is why I think my time here has come to an end," Rosell said, while insisting for a second time this week that the deal to bring Neymar to Barcelona was legal. Neymar, who is the poster boy of Brazils team going into the World Cup on home soil in June, joined for 57 million euros (then $74 million) in June, according to Rosell. The legal action, which was brought by club member Jordi Cases, alleges the real cost of Neymars transfer was closer to 95 million euros ($129 million) and that false contracts hid the real value of the move. The criminal offence of misappropriation of funds is punishable by up to six years in prison. The 49-year-old Rosell, a former Nike executive, said confidentiality agreements prevented Barcelona from revealing the exact amount received by Santos, and the three companies -- DIS, TEISA and N&N -- who owned shares of his rights. The lawsuit does not accuse Rosell of taking money from the deal. The case prompted Barcelonas board to call an emergency meeting, and Rosell announced he was quitting after more than two hours of deliberations. The transfer controversy is a blot on the reputation of a Catalan football institution that has long prided itself on being "more than a club" and is owned by its more than 160,000 members, who elect a president and executive board. And Barcelona, while top of the Spanish league, enters a period of uncertainty as it seeks to retain its domestic title and win the Champions League for the first time since 2011. Rosell, who was elected in 2010, said vice-president Josep Bartomeu will take his place and complete the pressidential term that expires in 2016.dddddddddddd Under three full seasons of Rosells presidency, Barcelona maintained its winning run started under Joan Laporta with another two Spanish league trophies to go with the Champions League title in 2011 and the Copa del Rey in 2012. Rosell said he was leaving to reduce the stress on him and his family and lamented what he described as attacks from both outside and within the club, despite its continued success on the pitch. "Through this period of success, my family and I have suffered attacks that have made me wonder if being president means putting my family at risk and in anguish," Rosell said. As he resigned, Rosell trumpeted his role in ensuring "the best players in the world wear the Barcelona jersey." Rosell oversaw the signing of Neymar, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, and Alex Song to further strengthen a team built around star forward Lionel Messi. Messi himself is going through his own legal difficulties. The Argentina forward and his father, Jorge, are waiting to hear if they will face charges in a tax fraud case after answering a judges questions last year about allegations they avoided 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in back taxes. Rosell steered Barcelona through uncertainty last season when treatment for throat cancer kept coach Tito Vilanova away for several months. Vilanova had to step down at the end of last season through ill health and Gerardo Martino was brought in to take charge. But while helping to establish Barcelona as Europes most successful team, Rosell also upset some members by putting paying sponsors on the front of Barcas shirts for the first time by striking deals with Qatar Foundation and Qatar Airways. Rosell has faced accusations about his business dealings away from the Camp Nou, with accusations in Brazil he illegally benefited from a friendly organized by his marketing company in 2008. By leaving his powerful job at Barcelona, Rosell also loses seats on influential committees within world football on FIFA and UEFA. ' ' '