ohnson in Cleveland, D.C. Uniteds Bill Hamid in Washington, Houston

Its a moment that changed Jarrod Crokers NRL career and one he will never forget.But it almost never happened.Late one Monday afternoon in December 2014, the young centre was told he might be Canberras next captain.Coach Ricky Stuart, though, wasnt 100 per cent sure.He told me to go and talk to my old man about it because he knows Im very close with him, Croker said.I did a weight session, went home and was just a bit quiet.Greg Croker, like his son, isnt very opinionated and didnt have much to say.But he said go in there and tell him you want it anyway, Croker told AAP.He was obviously confident Id be able to do it, he wanted me to be positive about it all and let him know I did want to do it.While he had played 140 games over six seasons in the NRL, he was still only 24.He captained the last three games of the 2014 season and won them all, but the Raiders finished second-last.I can understand the hesitation, Croker said.I was such a young player.The next morning, we were heading out somewhere for a promo, and before I even got to really think about it too much, he rang me back and said Na, its yours. I want you to do it.He said he had all the confidence in me and straight away was like Mate, were going to get through it together. Well tough it out, and if theres any dramas well be sweet.He told me to do it my way, it was my job, and that I dont have to change on or off the field for anyone or anything.Im glad he went with me. Its probably the proudest moment of my career.Croker will lead the club in their first preliminary final since the 1997 Super League season, against Melbourne at AAMI Park on Saturday night.He finished the regular season as the leagues highest pointscorer by 91 points - the biggest margin in the NRL era, smashing the Raiders all-time pointscoring record along the way.If he scores four points this weekend, he will become the first centre to crack 300 in a single campaign.Just one point and he will surpass the 2006 mark of Hazem El Masri, with whom he sits equal-third on the all-time list of most points in a season.If Im scoring points, then generally were playing good footy and were winning games - thats the most pleasing side of it for me.Nationals Jerseys China . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Nationals Jerseys 2019 . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. https://www.cheapnationals.com/1507r-carter-kieboom-jersey-nationals.html .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Erick Fedde Nationals Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. Anibal Sanchez Nationals Jersey . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. NEW YORK -- Jurgen Klinsmann envisions Landon Donovan returning to the U.S. national team. Hes just not sure when. Back with the Los Angeles Galaxy following a four-month sabbatical, Donovan was bypassed for the American roster for three World Cup qualifiers next month. Klinsmann wont commit to recalling the 31-year-old midfielder for a pair of qualifiers in September. Donovan might be selected for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July, when most of the Americans with European clubs will be given time off from the national team. "Well simply take it week by week and month by month," Klinsmann said during a telephone conference call Friday, one day after announcing his 29-man roster. A veteran of three World Cups, Donovan has appeared for the national team 144 times and is the American career scoring leader with 49 goals. Because of injuries, illness and the time off, Donovan has played in just eight of 25 games since Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley as the U.S. coach in July 2011. Klinsmann has monitored Donovans play with the Galaxy. He has two goals and three assists in six league games since his return on March 30. "Ive seen him kind of catching up. Ive seen him getting a rhythm, getting more games in," Klinsmann said. "I dont see him ready yet to come back in our group, and on the other hand I see guys in our group that are ahead of him in his position or in the different positions he can play at." Seeking their seventh straight World Cup berth, the Americans have exhibitions against Belgium on May 29 in Cleveland, and Germany on June 2 in Washington, D.C., ahead of three qualifiers: at Jamaica on June 7, against Panama four days later in Seattle and versus Honduras on June 18 in Salt Lake City. The United States (1-1-1) is third in the six-nation final round of qualifying in North and Central America and the Caribbean with four points, one behind Panama (1-0-2) and trailing Costa Rica (1-1-1) on goal difference. Honduras (1-1-1) is behind the U.S. on goal difference, while Mexico (0-0-3) has three points and Jamaica (0-1-2) two. The top three nations qualify for next years tournament in Brazil, and the No. 4 team faces Oceania champion New Zealand in a home-and-home playoff for another berth. Even though Carlos Bocanegra has started seven straight games for Racing Santander in Spains second division after a benching of nearly two months, the former U.S. captain was bypassed by Klinsmann.dddddddddddd The coach said Bocanegra has dropped behind Omar Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron, Clarence Goodson and Matt Besler at central defender. "I clearly see Carlos only as a centre back in our roster. I dont see him as a left back, and there we are fully loaded," Klinsmann said. While Michael Parkhursts only games for Augsburg this year were on Feb. 10 and 16, he provides Klinsmann with cover at outside back. Klinsmann does have concern over Parkhurst and midfielder Brek Shea, limited to two substitute appearances with Stoke this year and none at all since March 10. "When players choose to go overseas and challenge themselves, then Im happy with it, but at the same time they need to also break through in Europe or otherwise they will struggle getting back into our picture," Klinsmann said. "An example certainly is Brek Shea. He wanted badly to go there and now didnt get his playing time. So hes kind of on the worst. He needs to figure out how he wants to continue his career." NOTES: While players will start to report to Cleveland on May 26, Roma MF Michael Bradley arrives May 30 after the Italian Cup final against Lazio. Tijuana D Edgar Castillo and MF Joe Corona also are due in May 30 after their Copa Libertadores quarterfinal against Brazils Atletico Mineiro. It is not clear when Santos Laguna F Herculez Gomez, Hoffenheim D Fabian Johnson and MF Danny Williams and Parkhurst will be able to report because of their club commitments. Williams, who hasnt played since March 30, has recovered from injuries and has been training for two weeks, according to Klinsmann. ... MLS players will stay with their teams for games May 26-27 before reporting. ... With Tim Howard the starter in goal and Brad Guzan his backup, Klinsmann will rotate his No. 3 goalkeepers, with Chicagos Sean Johnson in Cleveland, D.C. Uniteds Bill Hamid in Washington, Houstons Toby Hall in Jamaica and Salt Lakes Nick Rimando in Portland and Salt Lake City. Rimando appears to be the U.S. starter for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which has gained in importance because the winner will play the 2015 Gold Cup champion for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia. ... Klinsmann might invite Aron Johannsson, a teammate of Jozy Altidore on AZ Alkmaar, for his Gold Cup roster, but the 22-year-old forward also is eligible for Iceland and has played for Icelands Under-21 team. 21:52ET 17-05-13 ' ' '