The Formations The Vancouver Whitecaps made a tactical change for their game against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, dispensing with their preferred 4-2-3-1 formation in favour of a 4-4-2 formation with a diamond midfield. Carl Robinson made three changes to the team that started against the New England Revolution a week ago. Skipper Jay DeMerit replaced Jonny Leveron at the back, Gershon Koffie replaced the concussed Nigel Reo-Coker to make his first start of the season and Pedro Morales replaced Sebastian Fernandez. The changes saw Matias Laba play as Vancouvers holding midfielder, with Russell Teibert on the left and Koffie on the right, leaving Morales to operate as the attacking midfielder. The Dynamo had a bye week last weekend, and head coach Dominic Kinnear decided to field an unchanged lineup from their 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact on March 15. (click for larger image) The Game Tactically, this was an intriguing matchup. The Houston Dynamo are one of the most well-organized teams in MLS, and Kinnear has an experienced squad who are consistent performers. However, Carl Robinsons decision to play a diamond midfield was a clever one. Not only did it allow Robinson to get his most creative player (Morales) into his preferred position, it allowed Vancouver to nullify many of Houstons threats. Both Houston fullbacks – Corey Ashe and Kofi Sarkodie – are encouraged to get forward to supply crosses for Will Bruin and Giles Barnes. The quality of Brad Davis on Houstons left side, coupled with Ashes energy, could have been a real problem for Vancouver. But the introduction of Gershon Koffie on Vancouvers right, coupled with the tactical change to the Whitecaps lineup, limited Houstons ability to generate a supply line from that side. With Russell Teibert shutting down Kofi Sarkodie on Houstons right flank, both Bruin and Barnes were cast adrift, starved of the crosses upon which they thrive. In midfield, Matias Laba had an excellent game for Vancouver, disrupting Boniek Garcias forward progress. The young Argentinian is proving to be an excellent signing for the Whitecaps, and his ability to cover so much ground freed up Pedro Morales to dictate the game. In the opening half, Morales had arguably the best 45 minutes of any player in the Whitecaps relatively short MLS history. His technical ability is superb, and his passing range is magnificent. Time and time again, Morales was able to spring teammates into attacking positions, or change the point of attack with his precise short and long range passing. Vancouver went into the break leading 1-0, courtesy of a Jordan Harvey goal. After his corner kick was cleared, Morales hooked a one-time pass to the back post, where it was nodded across goal by Andy OBrien. Harvey caught the Dynamo defenders flat-footed, and he prodded the ball home from six yards. Vancouver added to their lead in the 58th minute, as Kenny Miller converted a penalty kick after Kofi Sarkodie had handled in the penalty area. Miller scored at the second attempt, as his first kick had to be retaken due to the encroachment of Darren Mattocks. The Jamaican striker could be forgiven for his exuberance – it was his excellent work that created the penalty kick in the first place. Mattocks has yet to score this season – something at which he is surely frustrated – but his play has been much improved over last year. He is holding the ball up well, linking with his teammates, and because of his blistering speed, he is a genuine threat to any defence that chooses to play a high line. If he can improve his composure in front of goal, he will surely reach double figures in goals. Down 2-0, Houston brought on Omar Cummings for the ineffective Garcia. Cummings took a place up front alongside Bruin, with Barnes dropping into midfield. The substitution effectively resulted in Houston matching Vancouvers diamond midfield – something that should have been done at the half. Houstons midfield partnership of Garcia and Ricardo Clark never got to grips with the movement of Pedro Morales. The Chilean was everywhere he needed to be to get on the ball – even dropping into the left back position at one point to gain possession. Morales effectively dispelled the notion that a midfield diamond has to be narrow or positionally rigid. Playing Miller up front alongside Mattocks also worked in Vancouvers favour. While Mattocks offered game-breaking speed, Miller offered craft and guile. When Morales vacated the central position, Miller was clever enough to move into that space – meaning Houston always had to be wary of Clark and Garcia getting bypassed. And because Mattocks speed caused the Dynamos Jermaine Taylor and David Horst all kinds of bother, neither centreback wanted to step into midfield and leave the other exposed 1v1. After Houston pulled a goal back through Clark in the 75th minute, Robinson showed his tactical nous by reverting back to a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Teibert slotting in alongside Laba to congest the middle of the park, and substitutes Sebastian Fernandez and Kekuta Manneh taking up wide positions. This allowed Vancouver to see out the remainder of the game, sealing an important three points and maintaining their unbeaten start to the season. The Positives Pedro Morales showed all of the qualities that led the Whitecaps to make him a designated player. He rarely conceded possession, showed fantastic one and two-touch passing range and generally controlled the tempo of the game. The midfield diamond from Vancouver worked very well, and now offers Robinson a viable alternative to the 4-2-3-1 formation that he used in the first three games. Both Russell Teibert and, to a lesser extent, Gershon Koffie, had effective games, and Matias Laba reaffirmed his growing reputation as one of the top holding midfielders in MLS. The Negatives Houston defender David Horst shouldnt be surprised if he receives a phone call from the leagues Disciplinary Committee this week. On two occasions, Horst used excessive force against Vancouver players. The first was a deliberate elbow into the ribs of Pedro Morales; the second, a deliberate elbow into the neck of Kekuta Manneh. Given the leagues recent precedent of handing out supplementary discipline, Horst could well be in line for a suspension. The Star Man Camilo who? Pedro Morales is making disgruntled Whitecaps fans quickly forget last seasons departed top scorer, as Morales had a magnificent game for Vancouver. He is quickly establishing himself as the number ten that fans have always craved – a technically gifted, free-flowing maestro whose lead the other players follow. With eight points from their opening four games – including two impressive home wins – the Vancouver Whitecaps are off to a great start under Carl Robinson. Vancouvers next match is on Saturday, April 5 (6:30pm ET, 3:30pm PT on CTV BC) against the Colorado Rapids. DaMarcus Beasley Jersey . Bayern winger Franck Ribery marked his league return after recovering from a cracked rib by scoring two goals and setting up two more as the league leaders inflicted the heaviest home defeat on Bremen in the Bundesliga. Juan Agudelo Jersey . - The fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez is set to ask a judge to throw out allegations that she lied to a grand jury. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/justin...usa-jersey/.com) - The Atlanta Hawks have stepped up to every challenge during their 14-game winning streak and will face another daunting task Friday with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in town. Walker Zimmerman Jersey . So they rushed to re-sign the first baseman who general manager Ben Cherington described Friday as "a unique player." The World Series champions finalized a $32 million, two-year agreement Thursday with the slugging former catcher who turned into a surprisingly good defender. Kellyn Acosta Jersey .com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers.FRANKFURT - Having advanced to the knockout stage in the Champions League, Bayern Munich is looking to successfully conclude a good week when it travels to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Saturday.Eintracht has lost its last three games, while Bayern is riding high. It beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 last weekend in the Bundesliga and then eased past Roma 2-0 in the Champions League to make sure of advancing and topping its group.Its closest followers, Wolfsburg and Borussia Moenchengladbach, are four points behind. Wolfsburg hosts Hamburger SV, which is showing signs of revival, while Moenchengladbach visits next-to-last Dortmund, which has lost five straight.Here are some things to know ahead of the Bundesliga weekend.___BAYERN A DISASTER?At least in one area, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola thinks his team is a disaster — in creating goals from corners. In 10 matches so far in the Bundesliga, Bayern has not scored after a corner.We are a disaster and we have to improve there, the perfectionist coach said.Guardiola insists that his team is still not at its peak.We need to play better, we can never be satisfied, that would be a big mistake. We can always play better, Guardiola said after the victory over Roma.Not good news for Frankfurt.___WOLFSBURGS RISEEver since winning the title surprisingly in 2009, Wolfsburg has been trying unsuccessfully to establish itself as a Champions League team. It may be closing in on its goal this season.One of the reasons for its good run (six consecutive victories in all competitions), is the playmaker Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgium international tops the league with seven assists, and also has one goal.I am a winner, I am here to win every match, said de Bruyne, who failed to make an impact in Chelsea. No player can play a perfect game, but I try it every time.Coach Dieter Hecking says the Belgian is no world champion in training but is always eager to play.He is the one who can make the difference in a match, Hecking acknowledged.___CHANGING ROLESWhile Dortmund is battling to escape from the relegation zone, Moennchengladbach is playing some of the best football in the league.ddddddddddddMoenchengladbach gave Bayern a tough test in a 0-0 draw and is the only other undefeated team.Dortmund is hoping to take some of the momentum from the Champions League into the domestic competition. With four wins in four games, Dortmund has advanced in Europe. Dortmund led against Bayern last week before a couple of errors allowed Bayern to come back for a 2-1 victory.Moenchengladbach has a young, exciting team resembling The Foals of the 1970s, who dominated the league and won five titles.Christoph Kramer, Max Kruse, Andre Hahn and Patrick Herrmann are the stars of the team and its fast-paced attacking style, along with Raffael, a Brazilian playmaker.___TOP SCORER, BOTTOM CLUBFranco di Santo is one of the four players leading the Bundesliga with six goals apiece. That is remarkable seeing that his team, Werder Bremen, has only one victory and is last in the standings.He is a leader who is good for us, teammate Felix Kroos said of the Argentine. Di Santo is also popular because of his sunny disposition and positive attitude.Its important, especially in bad times, di Santo said of his good mood despite Bremens dire situation. Di Santo has settled in in his second season and also benefits from a change of formation since new coach Viktor Skripnik started playing with two forwards.___PADERBORN SURPRISEWith 15 points from 10 matches and seventh place, promoted Paderborn is arguably the biggest surprise of the season so far.The small club has the fifth best attack with 16 goals. But coach Andre Breitenreiter remains cautious.We only have 15 points. Thats only a good basis to avoid relegation, not more, said the coach, who is credited with Paderborns success because of his flexible tactics.But defender Patrick Ziegler thinks his team has more substanceAfter 10 matches, you cant talk about beginners luck any more. We are here to stay, he said optimistically.Paderborn travels to Augsburg, another small club that manages to stay in the league with limited means. 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