Herausforderungen » pace, but if you can hold the ball on the wing

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps havent had any difficulty getting up for big games this season, and Sundays performance against one of the top clubs in Major League Soccer was no different. Darren Mattocks scored for the fourth time in the last five games after Vancouver was gifted an own goal as the Whitecaps defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-0. "Its good win for us against a very good team," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. "It was a good test for us -- a test that we managed to overcome. I believed we could win the game if we did things right." Vancouver (7-4-11) was on the front foot against the defending MLS champions from the start to hand Kansas City (11-6-6) its first loss in MLS since May 31. "I think we managed the game," said Mattocks, who saw his penalty saved in the 85th minute. "Theres going to be games where were going to need to win 1-0 on the road or at home. "We should have got a third or even a fourth (goal) in the second half, but three points, well take it." Vancouver came in just 1-2-6 over its last nine -- including four straight ties -- and won for the first time since July 5. The Whitecaps were in desperate need of Sundays victory with all of the teams around them picking up points in the Western Conference standings. "I watched all the games yesterday and I was pig sick if I was honest," said Robinson. "Every game that I seemed to watch, the result I wanted to go our way didnt go our way, but as Ive said all along its not what other teams do. Its what we do." David Ousted was rarely tested in Vancouvers goal on the way to picking up his second straight clean sheet as the Whitecaps moved back into a playoff spot. "It is definitely crunch time right now. We need to keep winning like we did today to keep up," said Ousted, who now has six shutouts on the year. "This was a good start, but the work doesnt stop here. " The Whitecaps have victories in rivalry games against the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers this season, and added a win over the top team in the Eastern Conference with Sundays performance at B.C. Place Stadium. What they need to do now is produce similar results against some of the leagues lesser lights, starting next week at Chivas USA. "Were not actually far away," said Robinson. "I keep saying were that close but were that far ... the potentials there, it really is." The Whitecaps took the lead in the 17th minute on Sunday when Kansas City defender Igor Juliao and goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum got their signals crossed after Vancouvers Pedro Morales lofted a long ball towards goal. Juliao tried to head a pass back towards Gruenebaum, but it instead dribbled over the line for a 1-0 lead. "It was just a miscommunication between the fullback and the goalkeeper, but well take it," said Robinson. "We did get lucky on the first goal but take that out of it (and) I think we thoroughly deserved the victory. "It was good performance against a top team." Vancouver doubled the advantage in the 30th minute when Morales and Mattocks pounced on a Kansas City turnover in midfield and broke back the other way. Morales drew a defender towards him before squaring the ball to Mattocks, who made no mistake in slotting a low shot past a helpless Gruenebaum for his sixth of the season. It could have been 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, but Vancouvers Sebastian Fernandez saw his effort cleared off the line by Kansas City defender Aurelien Collin. The Whitecaps -- who entered play with just six goals in their last eight games -- had a few other great chances that also went begging in the opening 45 minutes, including a pair from Mattocks. "Darren was fantastic for me today. He scored a goal, he missed two or three other chances in the first half and he missed a penalty, but we won," said Robinson. "Darrens a player that I want to grow with. Hes got potential to go as far as I believe he can, but its not going to happen over night." Sporting sits first in the East and had won five straight road games, one short of the MLS record during the non-shootout era, but were on their heels from the opening whistle as Vancouver controlled the midfield for long stretches. The visitors replaced Gruenebaum with Jon Kempin in goal to start the second half, and had a good chance in the 46th minute when Jacob Peterson tested Ousted with a stinging shot. Morales had a half chance from outside the Kansas City area in the 62nd minute before Collin headed wide at the other end a few moments later off a corner kick. Whitecaps defenders Johnny Leveron and Jordan Harvey almost linked up for another opportunity off a Vancouver corner in the 70th, but Kansas City survived to keep the score at 2-0 before Kempin stopped Mattocks late penalty. "The most important thing is we got three points against a very good K.C. team," said Mattocks. "For us to get a clean sheet, hats off to the guys at the back and David in goal. To get three points, two goals, its a very big achievement for us." Notes: The game marked Vancouvers first-ever victory over Kansas City in five all-time meetings. ... Morales picked up his ninth assist of the season to tie a club record. ... Vancouver defender Andy OBrien played his first game since June 25. ... Collin, Matt Besler, Graham Zusi and striker Dom Dwyer all represented Sporting in Wednesdays MLS all-star game against Bayern Munich. ... Kansas City hosts Toronto FC next Saturday. ... Attendance was 20,183. Nick Schmaltz Coyotes Jersey . 31-Feb. 2. 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Wayne Gretzky Jersey . -- Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby.David Bytheway is one of the best FIFA gamers in the world, having reached the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) Grand Final in 2014. He was signed by Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in February, and now represents the team at official tournaments and during online streams.Bytheway got an early look at FIFA 17, which is released in the UK on Thursday. He takes us through what to expect... David Bytheway reached the FIWC Grand Final in 2014 Watch the Ryder Cup on NOW TV Get a NOW TV Week Pass for ￡10.99. No contract. Whats new?FIFA 17 has a revamped engine called Frostbite and as youd expect, the graphics displayed are by far the best yet - but has the gameplay also improved? The simple answer is yes. EA have written a completely new set-piece system that adds another layer to the skill gap. It allows you to select the area in which you want the ball to swing into, providing a greater lever of control. You can also select a player and move them as you wish; really giving yourself an extra advantage at free-kicks and corners.After you select the delivery, you position your player wherever you want; either in the balls flight path or in an area to run into. You then press the cross button and in comes the ball. Its an interesting new wrinkle and it works well. Eden Hazard in action on the new game EA didnt have to do any of this, the old set-piece system was fine, so it was definitely a risk but in my opinion, but its one thats paid off!They have also added another tweak called the threaded through ball. Its easy enough to do, just use the RB/R1 button and you see the difference immediately. Its a great addition and one that makes counter-attacks absolutely lethal.As always, EA have added new skills too. In competitive play, fancy skills are usually useless as you just dont get the time on the ball to execute the move. But they are nice on the eye and if you manage to put together a combination you will have your opponent tearing their hair out. There is a new set-piece engine this year PassingThe passing on FIFA 16 was so unpredictable it was infuriating, but thankfully on 17 its much better.You can play some lovely one-touch passes and really move up the pitch quickly and through balls have also improved. Sometimes your player still plays the pass on the wrong side of the defender but its nowhere near as often as it was on last years game. Old Trafford is once again in the new game ShootingEach year this changes. The main issue is one type of shooting is always so much more effective than the others. For obvious reasons the developers then correct it on the following edition, but unwittingly theyll make another shooting method too effective. See lobs or curling shots in previous games.Scoring from distance and shooting across the goalkeeper is the technique to use this year but I really do credit the new shooting logic - it couldnt be more realistic.For me, the only thing missing in the past was the ability to drive low shots across the keeper. You see these goals a lot in real life but it was next to impossible to do. The developers noticed this and it is extremely effective now. Good news.Which is the best team to play with?This might be a surprise to some, but Manchester United are great and the reason is simple. Zlatan Ibrahimovic.Crossing is a genuiine go-to method of scoring now, compared to FIFA 16, when it was about as useful as a chocolate teapot.dddddddddddd So, as Ibrahimovic wins the vast majority of his aerial battles, he has proved the difference in quite a lot of my matches. Jose Mourinhos Man Utd make the most of Zlatan Ibrahimovic Real Madrid are always in the conversation because they have players like Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who demonstrate the perfect balance of speed, height, strength and shooting ability.Real Madrid can play any style you want and the players will complement whichever method you choose. They have the pace to counter, the technique to keep the ball, the height and strength to win headers and so much more.Which is the best formation to use?Most players switch throughout the year for various reasons, whether its a change of styles or simply a formation stops working. So far, the formations that stand out for team balance are:4-1-2-1-2, diamondWithout doubt the best formation last season. The two strikers and central attacking midfielder really allowed for fast attacking football and this year it is still an extremely effective set-up. Its well balanced and floods the centre, making it difficult for your opponent to find space. Which formation will you use? 4-2-3-1An old favourite and one you used to see in around 90 per cent of competitive matches. It was the perfect formation until the fast-paced nature of FIFA 16 made it an impractical choice. So far, it seems to have regained its balance and is once again that frustrating, hard-to-break-down set-up it once was.Who are the best players?People are always surprised when Lionel Messi gets overlooked. On rating, he is still one of the best on the game, second best in fact. But when it comes down to actually using him, he struggles to make the top five. Is Neymar more influential on FIFA 17 than Lionel Messi? Ronaldo will always be the perfect player because he is such a complete athlete. He has it all; five-star skills, aerial ability, speed, shooting, weaker foot. He is just about the complete package.If Messi had the five-star skill rating he would make the top five without a doubt, but hes missing that and is physically weak on the ball. Ultimately, Neymar is Barcelonas more logical choice as he gives you greater options when taking on defenders. Cristiano Ronaldo is just about the complete player to use on FIFA 17 Ibrahimovic, as mentioned previously, is a force to be reckoned with. He wasnt used a lot on FIFA 16 because crossing was difficult, but with that changing, he is a true asset.Of course, he doesnt have a lot of pace, but if you can hold the ball on the wings and wait for the delivery, Zlatan will more than make up for it.Is it the best yet?Its never smart to make predictions too early, but the signs are very good. The game has taken a big step in the right direction and you can really control matches now.FIFA 16 often made possession strategies difficult because the ball bounced around between players too much. For me, it was the biggest problem last year.But now that looks to be solved, it opens up the game to those fans who like to play the famous tiki-taka.Watch every minute of the Ryder Cup, plus Friday Night Football and the Malaysia Grand Prix, on NOW TV for £10.99. No contract. Also See: Premier League grades Premier League fixtures Ronaldos form to blame Football live on Sky ' ' '