VANCOUVER -- Camilo Sanvezzos dramatic departure from the Vancouver Whitecaps stunned the club and its supporters. The Brazilian star striker forced his way out of town in unprecedented fashion, first practising with Mexicos Queretaro F.C. before having his photograph taken in the teams kit -- all while he was still under contract in Major League Soccer. With no other option, the Whitecaps finally sold the reigning MLS Golden Boot winner and his 22 goals in mid-January. Viewed as a disaster by many, captain Jay DeMerit sees opportunity for the remaining strikers with the clubs pre-season training schedule already underway. "With Camilo being gone, something we have to make these guys understand is theres a spot open now," said the veteran defender. "A lot of times, when youre a competitor you look for opportunities to come in and make a difference. "With that spot being open, theres guys that have that chance. Ultimately as a pro you want that chance." One of those guys up front is 20-year-old Omar Salgado. The first overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, Salgado has been hampered by injury early in his career. Now healthy, he will be counted on, along with fellow strikers Kenny Miller, Kekuta Manneh and Darren Mattocks, to pick up the slack. "Its one person less to compete with and we have to make up for those 22 goals he scored," Salgado said after Fridays fitness testing. "Between all the forwards were going to have to accomplish that. "Im feeling really good. Im feeling better than I have in the past year and a half so Im excited about this year and excited about the start of the season." Although theres opportunities up front with the Whitecaps, there are also many question marks. Miller, the clubs only current designated player, was also hampered by injury last season and its unclear where the 34-year-old stands with his contract set to expire in June. Mattocks, 23, fell out of favour with former manager Martin Rennie last year and blasted the team on Jamaican television after the season. Manneh, meanwhile, burst on to the scene with a memorable hat trick against the Seattle Sounders, but its hard to pin your goal-scoring hopes on a 19 year old. Miller, Mattocks and Manneh werent made available to the media Friday, but rookie Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said hes pleased with the different styles his current stable of strikers provide. "What they do is they offer me flexibility in the forward positions depending on what system I decide to play, which I know -- having variations of players playing in multiple positions," said Robinson. "Omar can play wide left, he can play centre forward. Kekuta can play wide left, centre forward or in the hole (behind the strikers), Kenny the same. "Obviously disappointed to lose Camilo -- losing 22 goals is a big thing -- but I want players that want to be here and if he doesnt want to be here then he shouldnt be here. Thats put to bed now and we move on." And although hes happy to sing the praises of his current strike quartet, its clear Robinson is eager to add more bodies to his attack. "I think its no secret and part of its how I want to put my stamp on this team," said the former Welsh international. "It might not be one, it might be two forward-thinking players and creative players. I think weve lacked a little bit of creativity over the last two years since Ive been here. "I think thats what we need to do to incorporate the strengths of the players already here." To say Robinsons first six weeks on the job have been hectic would be a gross understatement. His baptism by fire started with the Camilo saga and moved on to the MLS SuperDraft. Now a week into training camp, which opened Monday at the University of British Columbia, Robinson has finally had time to breathe. "Its been different. Its been exciting. I think the boys have bought into what me and the coaches have wanted to do," said Robinson. "Weve made it exciting for them. Weve made it enthusiastic and theyve put in the work. "I dont think you can really envisage anything after the first couple of weeks Ive had on the job but it is what it is. Its football, its soccer and you move forward. Im excited with this group that I have." With 13 of the 23 players on the first team being 23 years of age or younger, one of the veterans Robinson will count on in his inaugural season will be DeMerit. "One thing I always said was when I got an opportunity to be a manager, I will use the experience of the senior players," said Robinson. "Ive been there and Ive done it and I know what senior guys you need to be important within your team, on the field as well as off the field." DeMerit, 34, showed his commitment and resolve last season when he suffered a devastating Achilles injury in the first game, only to return in time to try to help the Whitecaps in their failed attempt to make the playoffs. "As older leaders of this group, its our job to help him," said DeMerit. "Theres a lot of young guys here that need that little push sometimes or that bit of mentorship or that little bit of leadership. "Myself and a couple of other guys will take that leadership role this year and were looking forward to it." Cheap Nike Air Max 2018 China . NORRIS COLE (Heat): Its funny, you watch a guy play and now really produce and it just jumps off the page at you - why? You put a young player with potential in a winning environment where there is veteran leadership, outstanding coaching and management and a way that things are done and its a wonderful environment for growth, improvement in a climate of constant accountability and expectation of achievement/production. Nike Air Max 2018 . - Jordan Addesis shootout goal helped the Plymouth Whalers to a 3-2 win over the Sault Ste. http://www.cheapairmaxshoessale.com/ . Lineup news, Fantasy and more in Scott Cullen?s Statistically Speaking. HEROES St. Louis Blues ? After rolling the San Jose Sharks for seven goals, for the second time in a week, the Blues have a bunch of players on hot streaks. Womens Nike Air Max 2018 . With nothing tangible at stake, the Raptors turned in their most impressive outing of the fall in their seventh and second to last exhibition tilt against their stiffest competition yet, but they lost a couple starters in the process. Wholesale Nike Air Max 2018 . Kripps, of Summerland, B.C., and Edmontons Barnett used a terrific second run to move up two spots, putting the Canadian duo in medal contention with the final two runs set for Monday (11:15 a.m. ET, streaming live at cbc.ROUND ROCK, Texas -- Manny Ramirez reported to the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate on Thursday and said he could play as early as Sunday. The Rangers agreed to terms on a minor league contract on Wednesday with the 41-year-old slugger, who hasnt played in the big leagues since 2011 with Tampa Bay. Ramirez worked out with the Round Rock Express and told reporters he hopes to play Sunday or Monday. "The expectation is to come here and play the game," Ramirez said. "Then hopefully I can move on and do what I always do." Ramirez has twice been suspended for testing positive for banned drugs. The 12-time All-Star was suspended 50 games in 2009 while with the Dodgers after testing positive for a banned drug. He retired in April 2011 instead of serving a 100-game ban for a seecond positive test, but later agreed to a reduced 50-game suspension and played in the minors for Oakland in 2012.dddddddddddd. "You have to go through the fire first," Ramirez said. "When you come out, thats when the blessing comes." A lifetime .312 hitter, Ramirez is 14th on the career home runs list with 555. He hit 17 homers in the final 53 games of 2008 after Boston traded him to Los Angeles, but he has just 28 since then because of injuries and the suspensions. He was 1 for 17 without a homer for the Rays when the second drug suspension hit two years ago. "It will be interesting to see if he can help this team win," Rangers outfielder David Murphy said. "From what Ive seen in the past, its hard to believe that he cant help us." ' ' '