Die Jäger des Schicksals » side that earned a point against the

VANCOUVER -- Make it 411 minutes and counting for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Darren Mattocks had two great chances in the first half Saturday, but again failed to connect along with the rest of his teammates as the Whitecaps were shut out for a fourth straight game in a 0-0 draw with D.C. United. The Whitecaps have not scored since Mattocks effort in the 39th minute of a 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 10. Thats more than nine halves of soccer, or nearly seven hours of play. "I wouldnt say its frustrating. We created some very good chances. Unfortunately we didnt put one away. Thats the game sometimes," said Mattocks. "Sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesnt. Weve just got to keep doing what were doing and its going to go in eventually." But it hasnt in almost a month for a Whitecaps side that earned a point against the best team in Major League Soccers Eastern Conference, but dropped to 1-3-6 in its last ten. The lack of finish has been to blame most nights during that stretch for Vancouver (7-6-13), and this one was no different. "Its tough," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. "But its tough for them as well because we put in a good 90-plus minutes -- a hard-working performance. Im proud of them tonight, because they gave me everything but we didnt come out with the result. Weve just got to keep going. "You do go through periods. You go through winning streaks and losing streaks and tough streaks." Saturday was the fifth 0-0 draw of the season for Vancouver, which has been shut out in five of its last six while tumbling down the Western Conference standings after a bright start to the season. The scoreless tie does temporarily move the Whitecaps level on points with Portland for the fifth and final playoff spot in the West, but the Timbers host the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday. Meanwhile, United (14-8-5) padded its lead atop the East and improved to 3-1-1 over its last five. Following a spirited first half where both teams had chances, Vancouver midfielder Pedro Morales fired a shot from outside the penalty area moments after the break that D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid handled. Whitecaps defender Jordan Harvey then sent a diving header just wide in the 50th minute from in close that almost brought the crowd of 18,116 at B.C. Place Stadium to its feet. The game lost much of its energy from there, with both sides running out of ideas, although Vancouver did show a bit more initiative moving forward. "I thought we played well. I thought we were the only team that was going to win tonight," said Harvey. "Other than in front of the (D.C.) net, I thought it was a solid performance, just couldnt put it in." Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted said the scoring drought is a topic of conversation in the locker-room, but one the entire team has to battle through. "Disappointed. I think we did well. I cant fault the guys out there for the effort," said Ousted, who picked up his eighth clean sheet. "They put in a lot of hard work and I thought we were almost there, but almost doesnt get the biscuit." Looking for an answer to his teams scoring woes, Robinson elected to go with Mattocks and Sebastian Fernandez up front to start the game, and a four-man diamond midfield featuring Morales at the top. That left strikers Erik Hurtado and Kekuta Manneh -- who both started in last weekends 3-0 home loss to Portland but are mired in long scoring slumps -- on the bench. Manneh was subbed on for Fernandez in the second half but failed to make an impact. "Hopefully well get a break or well take one of the number of chances we missed tonight," said Robinson. "I thought we played very well. I think at times we played some very good stuff, at times we looked a little bit open but thats going to happen with the shape we played." After a timid opening, Vancouver started to create chances off the break and had the games first opportunity in the 12th minute when Mattocks skied a shot over Hamids goal from in close after some good build up from Morales and Fernandez. Vancouver defender Kendall Waston, making just his second start since being acquired last month, then completely missed a free header in front of the United goal in the 31st off Morales free kick. D.C. striker Fabian Espindola fired a shot from outside the penalty area that Ousted pushed over the bar with his finger tips in the 37th minute, and Espindola was at it again moments later, but his chip went over the Vancouver goal after Ousted came out to challenge the unmarked United man. Mattocks headed another effort at Hamid in the 42nd, before breaking in down the right in added time and ripping a shot that Hamid did well to keep out. Vancouver doesnt have long to dwell on the result or its continued lack of finish with San Jose coming to town on Wednesday night for another key game. "Its just going to be a battle down the stretch," said Harvey. "Weve got to win more than we lose and get some points. Were playing well, we just need to be a little bit more clinical in front of the net -- and that includes everybody. Everybody on the field I feel like had a chance tonight." Notes: Hamid also picked up his eighth shutout of the season. ... Whitecaps defender Ethen Sampson, 20, made his first appearance for the club, starting at right back in place of Steven Beitashour (hip). Sampson was subbed out in the 54th minute for Sam Adekugbe after suffering cramps. ... Vancouver midfielder Gershon Koffie (foot) missed his fourth straight game. ... D.C. was without midfielder Chris Rolfe, who broke his forearm in training on Wednesday and will miss up to six weeks. Rolfe has six goals on the season. ... United striker Eddie Johnson, who has five goals on the year, sat out with a concussion. ... Kimberly Caldwell, Harveys fiancee and a finalist on season two of American Idol, sang the national anthems. ... D.C. visits the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. Cheap Panthers Jerseys . The Big Man finished 3-1 in Week 19, and sits at 53-24 on the season. Now Schultz is ready for more action. Cheap Florida Panthers Jerseys . Hes even holding a bat on one of his 2014 baseball cards. So far, hes playing like his picture. http://www.cheapfloridapanthersjerseys.com/ . They signed their first kicker. Ottawa inked Nick Setta, a 32-year-old native of Lockport, Illinois, to a contract. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys .C. -- The Bobcats announced theyve signed centre Justin Hamilton to a 10-day contract. Wholesale Panthers Jerseys . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period.CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The Bengals released linebacker James Harrison on Thursday, leaving the former Defensive Player of the Year looking for his third team in three seasons. The 35-year-old linebacker helped the Steelers win a pair of Super Bowls and was the leagues top defensive player in 2008. He left Pittsburgh when the two sides couldnt agree on a restructured deal. Harrison went down the Ohio River to AFC North rival Cincinnati, where he got a two-year contract. The Bengals envisioned him using his pass-rushing ability to become a difference-maker on a defence that was already one of the leagues best. He wound up with a limited role for the first half of the season as he got acclimated. Harrison was limited to 14 or fewer plays in five of the first seven games, making the transition from Pittsburghs 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 in Cincinnati. His role expanded as the season went along and injuries limited the defence. Harrison played in 15 games, starting 10, and finished 12th on the team in tackles. He had two sacks and one interception. "It was great for our coaches, players and fans to have James on our team last year," coach Marviin Lewis said.dddddddddddd "Hes a player everyone looks up to because of his ability, his accomplishments and his drive to be the best. He helped us win a division title with his play and with the example he set. "Its time for us to go a different direction now, with some younger guys, but we will all still reap benefits from having had James with us as a Bengal last year." Linebacker Vontaze Burfict credited Harrison with helping him develop into a Pro Bowl player last season. Cincinnatis defence finished third in the NFL and was the key to the Bengals reaching the playoffs for an unprecedented third straight season. The Bengals lost to San Diego in the opening round, leaving them 0-5 in the playoffs under Lewis. They havent won a playoff game since 1990, matching the sixth-longest streak of playoff futility in NFL history. Harrison tweeted: "Many thanks to all the Bengals fans for your support over the last year -- I had a great time in Cincinnati." Harrison is the second veteran in three days that was released by the team. Center Kyle Cook, who started all last season, was released on Tuesday. 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