When Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson last week compared his new playmaker Pedro Morales to Major League Soccer standouts Diego Valeri and Federico Higuain, he was setting a very high standard for the clubs new Designated Player. On Saturday, in just 25 minutes of action as a second half substitute, the Chilean midfielder showed exactly why his new manager has such high hopes. On a day when almost everything went right for Vancouver, Morales short but extremely influential performance capped a wonderful afternoon for the Whitecaps as they opened the 2014 season with a 4-1 win against the New York Red Bulls at BC Place. Robinson was quick to dampen expectations for his new look team following the victory, but the rookie head coach couldnt have asked for a better start to his managerial career as his side showed the attacking qualities he wants to be the trademark of his club. "Well be free-spirited and exciting," Robinson said in the buildup to the season opener. "I want players who can lift me to my feet." On Saturday, he certainly got that, as the Whitecaps turned on the style in the second half. Of course its far too early to draw any conclusion about how Vancouver will fare this season based on one result against a New York side that looked poor, but the initial signs are extremely encouraging. Morales started the match on the bench after a hectic travel schedule and only a couple of training sessions with his new team, but it didnt take long for the Whitecaps fans to get a glimpse of the fantastic technical ability their new signing possesses. There were a few fancy touches as well as a superb through ball for Kenny Millers second goal of the game, and then Morales scored himself in the closing stages to complete the rout. It was an impressive debut. It wasnt just Morales. There were quality performances throughout the team. Young Uruguayan Sebastian Fernandez played on the left side of the three attacking midfielders in the Whitecaps 4-2-3-1 formation and was influential throughout. He took his goal beautifully and was a creative spark, but he also worked very hard defensively. Darren Mattocks had one of his best games as a Whitecap. He didnt score, but the Jamaican international finally showed he is capable of playing the lone striker role. He has a point to prove after a disappointing 2013 season, but if his attitude is right, he has all the qualities needed to be a success. Veteran forward Kenny Miller scored twice, the second a lovely chip over the goalkeeper. Like Mattocks, Miller is playing for his future in Vancouver. The Scottish striker wants to stay with the club when his current contract expires this summer. While he wont grab the headlines for his goal-scoring performances, one of the biggest off-season upgrades for the Whitecaps has been the signing of Designated Player Matias Laba from Toronto FC. Described by Robinson as "a destroyer," the young Argentine was superb in breaking up play, protecting the back four and starting moves with excellent vision and distribution. Hes a player who will make the jobs of those around him much easier. Central defenders Jay DeMerit and Andy OBrien will benefit greatly from Labas presence, as will his midfield partner Nigel Reo-Coker who will now be able to get forward more. We saw near the end of the game what Reo-Coker is capable of when he has license to attack, assisting on the goal scored by Morales. Another big strength for the Whitecaps this season will be the depth within the squad. Along with Morales, Saturdays substitutes included attacking options Kekuta Manneh, Erik Hurtado and Nicolas Mezquida, midfielder Gershon Koffie and Honduran international defender Johnny Leveron. "Its important to start off on the right foot," said Robinson. "Its important that I keep pushing them to those standards. We did well, but there are still 33 more games to go." Now as the Whitecaps begin preparing for their first road game of the new season at Chivas USA in California next weekend, Robinson has some interesting decisions ahead. He will want to get Morales into the starting lineup as soon as possible, but after Saturdays performance, it will be difficult to leave anyone out. Vancouver Whitecaps at Chivas USA on Sunday, March 16 is live on CTV BC 2. Kickoff is 4pm PT. Gonzalo Pineda Jersey . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. 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Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals.The surging Montreal Canadiens attempt to earn a rare victory in Washington when they visit the Capitals at Verizon Center. You can watch the game on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt and listen to the game on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal. After starting the month of November on an 0-3-1 slide, the Canadiens have recorded wins in three of their last five outings (3-1-1). However, Montreal has also lost four of six and seven of its past 10 games in Washington. With the Canadiens playing on back-to-back days, Peter Budaj will get the start tonight while Carey Price is scheduled to play Saturday against Pittsburgh. Budaj is 0-2-1 with a 2.95 goals against average in four career outings against the Capitals. Montreal turned in its best offensive performance of the season in its most recent trip to the ice, setting a season-high in goals with Tuesdays 6-2 home victory over Minnesota. Max Pacioretty scored the first three goals of the game to notch his second career hat trick and lead the way in the rout of the Wild. Pacioretty had just two goals in 12 games this season before more than doubling his total with Tuesdays outburst. The American winger fired a career-high 10 shots on goal against the Wild. "Ive missed a lot of good opportunities lately and it started getting in my head that I couldnt score," Pacioretty told his teams official website after the game. Michael Bournival, Daniel Briere and Alex Galchenyuk also lit the lamp for the Canadiens, while Carey Price made 25 saves for the win. Montreal, which is playing three of its next four games on the road, is just 1-3-0 as the visiting team in November. The Capitals will try bouncee back after having their momentum halted the last time out.dddddddddddd The Capitals had won three in a row and scored four times in each game during that hot streak before getting dealt a 4-0 home loss by the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. It marked just the second time this season Washington had been blanked and the first time since the New York Rangers recorded a 2-0 win in D.C. on Oct. 16. Washington also was outshot by a wide 40-18 margin in Wednesdays loss, which ended a six-game home winning streak for the Caps and dropped them to 8-4-0 at the Verizon Center this season. The club hadnt lost on home ice since the 2-0 setback versus the Rangers last month. While Marc-Andre Fleury needed only to make 18 stops to record the shutout for Pittsburgh, Capitals netminder Braden Holtby turned aside 36-of-40 shots in a losing effort. The Pens fired 32 shots at Holtby through the first two periods alone and held a 3-0 edge after 40 minutes of action. "Theres lots of ways to lose games, and thats not really one way you want to do it," Washington head coach Adam Oates said after the disappointing effort. Washington could get a boost from the return of defenseman Mike Green on Friday. The offensive-minded blueliner sat out the past three games with a lower-body injury, but expects to play tonight. Green has 11 points -- all assists -- in 19 games this season. The Caps hope Green can help them get back in the win column tonight in the finale of a three-game homestand. Washington has had tons of success against the Canadiens in recent years, winning two straight and eight of the past nine overall meetings between the clubs. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '