Off Topic » humidity and altitude are often mentioned

It was the one question being asked over and over at Whitecaps training this past week. A question that was repeatedly posed last season, and the season before that and in the 2011 campaign before that. "Why do the Whitecaps struggle so badly on the road?" Ive asked many players and team officials and fellow pundits that same question over the last three years, yet no one can really give a definitive answer. Searing heat, humidity and altitude are often mentioned. Youd think crossing time zones would be really hard on players, except that the Whitecaps managed three wins and a draw from five eastern trips last year alone. Theyve actually exhibited more road futility in the West. Playing surfaces can be unique in makeup and dimension but not drastic. Penalty areas are the same size, as are the goals, and yet the visiting team always seems to start the game with a statistical disadvantage. Some Las Vegas oddsmakers give MLS home teams a half goal advantage which represents a 10% edge, higher than any other Major North American Sport. Coach Carl Robinson pointed out this week that teams who are great at home, usually get into the playoffs. But teams that collect points away are usually comfortably in the playoffs by the time autumn rolls around. Nigel Reo Coker suggested that team spirit and camaraderie are the keys to success no matter where you play, and that this 2014 squad is capable of replicating its thrilling 4-1 win over New York away from BC Place. Whitecaps supporters, who are showing up to more and more away games, just want a team that looks and plays similarly no matter the venue; something Martin Rennie couldnt come to grips with over his 2 seasons. No venue has been a bigger obstacle for the Whitecaps than the one they visit on Sunday, when they play Chivas USA; co-tenants of the Stub Hub Centre with the LA Galaxy. In nine contests there, the Whitecaps have but one win, and two draws. Theyve scored just five times in Carson, while allowing 15 goals. With four games in SoCal this season (representing 11.7% of their entire schedule) taking more of those available 12 points might help reverse a trend that has seen the club win just seven out of 52 games away from Vancouver. Air Max 97 Cheap Sale . - The situation looked bleak at best for the coach Doc Rivers Clippers — down by four points with 18 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Air Max 97 Cheap Uk .com) - In the absence of Dwight Howard, Donatas Motiejunas had a career night to keep the Houston Rockets winning streak alive. http://www.airmax97discountuk.com/. Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U. Cheap Air Max 97 For Sale . -- The Chicago Bears say they have agreed to a one-year contract with centre Roberto Garza. Air Max 97 For Sale Cheap . Founding members of the Genie Army, a group of Eugenie Bouchard supporters who cheered for the rising tennis star during the Australian Open in January, will be in the city for the Rogers Cup, beginning this weekend.PHILADELPHIA -- Steve Nash celebrated his 40th birthday with a vintage performance. Nash scored a season-high 19 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-98 Friday night. Wesley Johnson and Chris Kaman each scored 17 and six Lakers finished with double-digit points. Nash, the oldest player in the NBA, played like the guy who was a two-time NBA MVP a decade ago. He had five assists, four rebounds and shot 8 for 15 in just his eighth game of the season. "I thought I could play well, I could contribute," he said. "At this point, I dont take anything for granted. Its a grind for me to get ready to play every day. Im just thrilled I can move out there without restriction and help my team." In a way, Nash also helped his opponent by putting on a clinic for the younger guys. "Hes a great player, always under control, uses his screens well. I can learn a lot from him," Sixers rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams said. Tony Wroten scored 16 and Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes each had 15 for Philadelphia, which lost its fifth straight game, seventh in a row at home and 15th of 18 overall. "It appears we play better on the road," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "Everybody wants to do better in our city, in front of our fans." The Lakers won their second straight game after losing seven in a row. A pair of once-proud franchises that last met in the NBA Finals in 2001, both teams are headed for the draft lottery this season. The Sixers own the leagues third-worst record while the Lakers came in tied for seventh-worst. The Sixers led the entire first half, going up by as many as nine points a few times. Blake hit consecutive 3s for the Lakers to cut it to 64-61 at halftime. The Lakers took theirr first lead, 68-67, in the third on Sacres dunk.dddddddddddd They were up 87-82 when Wroten sank a 62-footer at the buzzer. It was his second shot beyond half court in two games. He made a 58-footer to end the third in a loss to Boston on Wednesday. Los Angeles pulled away early in the fourth. Kaman and Jordan Hill combined for all the points in a 10-0 run that put the Lakers up 101-90 and the Sixers never recovered. "It feels great to get two wins in a row," Kaman said. "This was satisfying because it was a total team effort. Steve Nash was amazing. Hes incredible to do what he does at age 40. Hes a true professional and were lucky to have him." After finishing Wednesdays win at Cleveland with four healthy players and a guy who fouled out, the Lakers had nine active players against the Sixers. Coach Mike DAntoni used a little-known NBA rule to keep Robert Sacre on the court after he fouled out against the Cavaliers. They didnt need any help in Philadelphia. Nash was enough. "Youre around him and you marvel at what he does," DAntoni said of Nash. "The way he works every day, you watch his speed and hes about the same speed he was at 30 years old. Hes not real blinding, but he knows how to play. He plays a little bit, hell get his legs and hell start knocking more shots down." NOTES: The seven straight losses at home are Philadelphias longest since 1996-97 season. ... Nash was MVP in 2004-05 and 2005-06 with Phoenix. ... The last 40-year-old to score 19 points in a game was also a Laker. Karl Malone had 20 for Los Angeles against Houston on April 1, 2004. ... Lakers guard Kendall Marshall had 10 assists in 20 minutes. The last Laker to do have that many assists in 20 or less minutes was Magic Johnson on March 30, 1989. ' ' '