VANCOUVER -- Darren Mattocks hard-luck season has taken a turn for the better. Having recovered from knee surgery, the speedy striker is slated to return to the Vancouver Whitecaps lineup Saturday as they visit the Colorado Rapids. "Talking to the trainers and the coaching staff on what Ive maintained, I think Im ready to go," said Mattocks after practice Tuesday at the University of British Columbia. Mattocks resumed training with the club this week after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last month. The knee bothered him after a game against the Chicago Fire, in which he was a late substitute, and it swelled up while he was en route to a game with the Whitecaps reserves squad in Salt Lake City. The club decided that surgery was the best option, and he underwent the procedure less than a week later. Now, the knee is feeling "pretty good." "Im at a really good level since coming back (to full training) a couple days," said Mattocks. "So thats really good. I feel even sharper than before (the injury.) So thats really good. But I think Ive got a lot of work to do on getting back to match fitness." Mattocks, a 22-year-old Jamaican international who starred at the University of Akron, led the Whitecaps with seven goals as a rookie in 2012. But the proverbial sophomore jinx that often occurs in hockey has also struck him in his second Major League Soccer season. Due to his injury, inconsistent play and international duty, and the strong partnership of Camilo and Kenny Miller, he has started just six of the 13 games in which he has appeared. But crediting the team with providing world-class care and happy to be toiling in North Americas top league, Mattocks said he has not been frustrated by his ordeal. He took the same approach prior to the start of last season when arm burns, suffered in a cooking accident, delayed his pro debut. "I grew up back in Jamaica, and Ive been dealing with adversity for much of my life, growing up back then in my personal life," said Mattocks. The Portmore native declined to discuss his struggles, and he is also not looking back on his ill-fated quest for 20 goals. He set the target in his sights at the outset of the season, without guaranteeing it would happen. He just wants to work his way back into the starting 11, contribute some goals and help the Whitecaps (10-7-6) secure a playoff berth in the ultra-tight Western Conference. Coming off an impressive win over the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, the Caps aim to continue on a strong run that has helped them leap over the playoff bar into a tie for second place with Colorado. Caps coach Martin Rennie is looking forward to seeing Mattocks back in game action after he impressed in the weekss first two workouts. "He looked fantastic today," said Rennie. "Thats probably the best training session hes ever had." Meanwhile, captain Jay DeMerit continued to make progress from a torn Achilles tendon that has kept him out since early in the first game of the season. DeMerit is well ahead of schedule on his return from an injury that requires six to eight months of recovery. He is close to returning after about three months off, but still a ways away from being game-ready.. "Ive had another good week of training," said DeMerit. "The sharpness is coming on slowly but surely. Its actually been kind of funny, and kind of frustrating in my own eyes. You kind of get there pretty quick, but now the last fiver per cent of it takes the longest." The 33-year-old Green Bay, Wis., native still hopes to return to the pitch before he weds retired Canadian Olympic ski cross gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor in her hometown of Whistler, B.C., later this month. "Were monitoring (the recovery) very closely every day, and every day Im getting stronger," he said. "But I can definitely say that I have some sharpness to work on." Notes: DeMerit, central defender Andy OBrien, Rennie and other Whitecaps left after practice to take part in the second annual Hope and Health soccer clinics for youngsters from Vancouver Island Coastal Salish First Nations in Ladysmith, B.C. McIvor also went on the trip to take part in opening ceremonies. a Whitecaps striker Kenny Miller will suit up for Scotland in a highly-anticipated friendly against England at Wembley Stadium in London on Wednesday. The two United Kingdom rivals have gone 14 years without facing each other. Cheap Hockey Jerseys For Sale . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Wholesale Adidas Hockey Jerseys . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. http://www.hockeyjerseyswholesale.com/ . General manager Jarmo Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch on Friday that he wants to see Gaboriks contributions go beyond the scoresheet before considering a long-term deal for the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent. Wholesale NHL Jerseys China . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Cheap Hockey Jerseys . Spiller left Week 3s 27-20 loss to the New York Jets with a thigh injury, but fully practiced with the team all week and expects to be ready to go on Sunday. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Ingrid Williams was supposed to be here.It was about this point of the Olympics that she planned to join her husband, U.S. mens basketball assistant coach Monty Williams. The couple would likely visit Christ the Redeemer statue, a symbol of Brazils beauty and their faith, and spend time together just before the hectic start of the school year for their five children.But when Ingrid Williams died on Feb. 11 at age 44, it meant he would experience Rio alone.So a little bittersweet, but at the same time weve had to manage that and move forward, Williams said in an interview with The Associated Press.Ingrid Williams was on her way home after picking up one of their daughters from her basketball game when her car was struck head-on in Oklahoma City by a SUV that crossed the center line after losing control. The other driver, Susannah Donaldson, also died.Williams preached forgiveness and compassion for Donaldson and her family during a powerful eulogy at his wifes funeral. He said that message hasnt changed, even after the police report later showed that Donaldson was driving 92 mph a second before impact, with drugs in her system and a dog on her lap.Well, I knew all that stuff, Williams said. I knew it way before the public knew about it. So doesnt change it, but obviously Im not happy with what happened and how it happened.Ive never had any bitterness toward that lady or that family, I was more disappointed that it was just my wife and that she had to die so early. That was where my disappointment lied. Ive said this before, Im a man who has been forgiven much, and a cornerstone of my faith as a Christian is forgiveness. That doesnt always make it easy, but nonetheless thats what I have to do.His childrens health makes it easier. Three of them were in the car, with one badly injured, but he said you cant even tell that when seeing her now.She had multiple fractures in her face when I first saw her. I thought she was dead when I first saw her in the hospital because I just couldnt see my child living through that, so to see them now I am so blessed to have all five of my kids, Williams said.Obviously Id love to have my wife, but the beauty of all this is I know where my wife is. I know shes in heaven. My kids have seen God bring us through a lot of stuff in the last six months and Im thankful and sad at the same time. Its kind of hard to describe, but Im very thankful that my kids are OK.Williams spent just half a season in Oklahoma City as Billy Donovans assistant coach, not returning to the team following the accident. That was long enough for Williams and his family to make an impact on the team and community, just as he had during his five seasons as coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.ddddddddddddThats my guy, man, said Kevin Durant, who has often worked out with Williams during U.S. practices this summer. I learned so much from him in a short amount of time and probably, easily one of the best people I know.Williams was hired for Mike Krzyzewskis U.S. staff for the 2014 Basketball World Cup. Even after not returning to the NBA, he knew he wouldnt miss the chance to rejoin the Americans for the Olympics.Nobody ever said, `Hey, we need a decision, Williams said. I kind of put pressure on myself to make a decision because Ive been in that position of running an organization, so I know how important it is to have people in place well in advance. So I was more concerned with holding them back.Once I made the decision to not come back to OKC, I think everybody just assumed that I might not do this and they are just two different situations altogether.His children -- Lael, Faith, Janna, Elijah, and Micah -- were with Williams during their exhibition tour, but are back home in Texas now with school starting next week. Williams is eager to get back with them, but first he hopes to make the Olympic trip he planned with his wife.Christ the Redeemer, rising high above the city not far from where the Americans are practicing, was on our bucket list, Williams said. Ingrid, who enjoyed reading the Bible and encouraging others through scripture, wouldve been the perfect companion for the trip, just as she was during their 20 years of marriage.Players have already gone, and Williams might as well.Its the only thing I really want to do. Id rather go do that than go to any of the events, Williams said. We drive by it every time we come to practice, so hopefully Ill get a chance to do it.Being back on the bench has reminded Williams how much he loves coaching, and he knows hell do it again, even if it cant be yet.Ill just take it one day at a time. Im not concerned with where I am in my career, just because the Lords always taken care of all that, Williams said. My kids right now are the priority and I just want to get back home and make sure theyre in a good spot. Obviously working in the NBA is really important to me, but at the same time theres a few other things that need to happen for me to get back to that point.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Cheap Throwback Baseball Detroit Tigers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Colorado Rockies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Houston Astros Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Kansas City Royals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Angels Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Miami Marlins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Minnesota Twins Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Mets Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball New York Yankees Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Oakland Athletics Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Diego Padres Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball San Francisco Giants Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Seattle Mariners Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball St. Louis Cardinals Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Texas Rangers Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Toronto Blue Jays Jerseys Cheap Throwback Baseball Washington Nationals Jerseys ' ' '