back as Brad Rusin was pushed forward to a holding midfield position, and Kobayashi was reinserted into the starting lineup for the first time in a month. The come-fro

PORTLAND, Ore. - Jordan Harvey headed in a second-half equalizing goal and the Vancouver Whitecaps managed a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers Saturday night at JELD-WEN Field. In addition to Cascadia Cup implications — Vancouver remains on top with 5 points through 4 games — the derby match also had an impact on the MLS Western Conference standings. With 12 games to play in the regular season, the Whitecaps remain in the fifth and final playoff spot on 33 points — just one point clear of FC Dallas. The derby match saw a fairly bland first half, punctuated primarily by questionable tackles and yellow cards. A total of 6 were handed out by referee Radu Petrescu. "Its Portland, its a rivalry, and I think it was always going to be that way," said Matt Watson, who replaced an injured Brad Rusin in the 18th minute. "There are always going to be a few challenges that are going to be a little bit heavy, but I think thats part of the game." The second period played itself out in much more appealing fashion with the two squads combining for 14 shots, resulting in a goal for each. Portland (8-3-11) struck first in the 49th minute when forward Ryan Johnson headed in a Diego Valeri cross. The Timbers took the ball off Daigo Kobayashi deep in their own end and quickly penetrated down field where Valeri was given too much time and space to pick out his target in the box. "We lost a runner in the box, which was disappointing," said Whitecaps head coach Martin Rennie. "We were a little open on the counter attack." The home side pressed for another goal, but Vancouver (9-7-6) held their ground and eventually found the equalizer in the 69th minute when Harvey got on the end of a Camilo Da Silva Sanvezzo corner. "(Rodney) Wallace was kind of all over me the whole game during set pieces," Harvey said. "I just tried to stay back so he couldnt get ahold of me and then darted near post and Camilo sent in a perfect ball. I just tried to get my head on it." The goal marked the first time the Whitecaps have scored from a corner since Jay DeMerit accomplished the feat in March 2012. Rennie made four changes to the side that dropped a 1-0 result to Philadelphia last week, including the debut of recently signed Danish goalkeeper David Ousted and a second start for 18-year-old Kekuta Manneh. Carlyle Mitchell filled in at centre back as Brad Rusin was pushed forward to a holding midfield position, and Kobayashi was reinserted into the starting lineup for the first time in a month. The come-from-behind result puts an end to a two-game losing streak for the Caps, and according to Rennie, injects some added confidence into the squad. "I know that weve got a lot of character," Rennie said. "Tonight we were missing seven players that would normally start so we were very depleted, but our players didnt use that as an excuse. They dug in and they played well. "I think were very confident. Were just a few points off first place and were playing well. Weve got games in hand over some of the teams above us, and I think confidence is high." Dee Gordon Jersey .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Hisashi Iwakuma Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. http://www.cheapmarinersjerseys.com/ .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. His tenure as the GM in Vancouver was all too brief. Though he led the Canucks to what was then a franchise record-shattering campaign in just his second season, Nonis was gone and replaced one year later. Ryon Healy Jersey Mitch Haniger Jersey . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Essendon coach John Worsfold is faced with a frustrating scenario: the Bombers are putting up encouraging efforts of late but the defeats keep mounting regardless.A week after a spirited loss to St Kilda, Worsfolds side trailed Richmond by a point late in Saturdays game at the MCG before slipping to a 19-point defeat - their 14th in a row, equalling the longest losing streak in club history.Such a fighting performance might have been enough for the suspension-ravaged Bombers earlier in the season, but not now.I like the fact that were getting annoyed that were getting close, Worsfold said.Were not happy and thats a good sign because I reckon, earlier in the year, we would have said Gee, were happy just to get that close.The fact that were really making teams have to fight in games and giving ourselves a chance of winning is a real positive. The challengee now is to have the composure and the class to maybe get in front late and hold onto it.dddddddddddd.Last-placed Essendon host second-last Brisbane on Sunday week at Etihad Stadium in a clash that will likely decide who gets the wooden spoon.Were desperate, not so much to avoid last spot, but to win, Worsfold said.We want to win through our effort and start to build and get to know what it feels like to be a winning team.I would love for the players to experience that but they drive that. Its in their hands about how much they want to get that win and how hard theyre prepared to work for it.Next week is going be a huge challenge for us to back up and play with the same intensity, the same attitude and take the game on again. ' ' '