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As Carl Robinson met the media in Vancouver on Monday, there were plenty of questions to answer about the future. With the Whitecaps controversial playoff loss in Dallas now in the rear-view mirror, attention is already turning to what the Caps squad will look like next season. After setting a new single season points record, qualifying for the Champions League and successfully defending the Cascadia Cup, there is plenty for Robinson to be pleased about. He has had an excellent first season as a head coach and has laid a strong foundation for future success, but there are some big decisions facing the Whitecaps coach in the next few weeks to ensure the club has the best possible chance of building upon an impressive 2014. Here are five key jobs on Carl Robinsons To Do list: 1. Find a striker (or two) Since the departures of Camilo and Kenny Miller, the Whitecaps have been missing a natural goalscorer. They will likely add a Designated Player striker this winter, and it would be a surprise if the player doesnt come from South or Central America. Robinson will do some travelling in the next few weeks as he narrows down his search as he looks for the ideal signing to complement the pieces he already has within the squad. It’s likely Robinson will not only try to sign a DP, but also bring in another frontman as well, either as a permanent signing or maybe securing the loan of a younger player. “I will turn over every rock,” said Robinson. “I know what is around in MLS, but teams don’t want to give their good players away. We will look abroad, as well, whether it is a European player or a South–Central American player, I will certainly be doing a lot of travelling in the offseason.” 2. Bring back Laba There isn’t much doubt about this one. Matias Laba won the Whitecaps “Unsung Hero” award and was outstanding throughout the year. The young Argentine has quickly developed into one of the top two or three defensive midfielders in Major League Soccer and will be returning to Vancouver next season. After joining from Toronto FC in March, the Whitecaps now have the option to pay a pre-agreed sum to their Canadian rivals in order to keep Laba’s services long-term. Carl Robinson says there isn’t an issue and that Laba will be staying with the club, but ‘Caps fans will still breathe a huge sigh of relief when the ink is dry on the paperwork. “There is a fee agreed for us to take Mati and we will be doing that because Mati has been fantastic for us and is a big part of this club moving forward. That fee will be settled between the two ownership groups,” explained the Whitecaps coach. 3. Mattocks and Salgado As Robinson looks to strengthen his squad and bring in “a few fresh faces next season,” there will likely be departures, either through trades or the Expansion Draft. Two players who seem unlikely to have a future with the club long term are young strikers Darren Mattocks and Omar Salgado. Mattocks is a valuable asset within MLS, despite his lack of consistency in front of goal, and if the Whitecaps are to sign one or two starting forwards, it is possible they could get value within the league for Mattocks to strengthen the team in other areas. Salgado finished the year on trial with Tigres in Mexico after a season where there was more talk about his temperament than his footballing ability. It seems best for both parties if there is a parting of the ways before next year. “We will sit down with him and discuss the best way to move forward,” said Robinson. “I don’t want him to get frustrated. If he feels it is right and we feel it is right for us to part ways, we will. I want to help him personally because he has been injured for a number of years and he wants to play. The one thing I will never do is stop players going to play football somewhere.” 4. Defensive decisions The Whitecaps found their number one starting central defender with the signing of Costa Rican giant Kendall Waston this summer. Now Robinson must decide which other central defenders he wants to have in his squad next year. In an ideal scenario, the ‘Caps will be able to sign another central defender to start alongside Waston and also re-sign veteran Andy O’Brien who had a very good end to the season. O’Brien played more minutes than any other Whitecaps central defender but if he stays with the club, he may have a reduced role moving forward. With the club also set to be in the Champions League, having an experienced player like O’Brien on board would be important. “Andy has been fantastic this year and has got stronger as the season has gone on,” said Robinson. “I would like to try and keep Andy at the club in some capacity, if I can, because I think he is a very good leader. Because we are in a salary cap league, it depends on the financial side of it, as well.” O’Brien has loved his time in Vancouver so far and wants to stay. The former Ireland international says he’s not against taking a pay cut in order to extend his career. “The objective would be to play as many games as possible – I view it as a challenge, he said. It’s not all about money, it’s about being wanted. I’ve been very blessed to have the career that I’ve had and at this stage of my career it’s about being made to feel welcome.” 5. Magnificent Mauro Mauro Rosales was superb, both on and off the pitch, following his move from Chivas USA and the Whitecaps would love to find a way to keep him for 2015. Rosales would need to agree to take a cut in salary, but there is also a possibility the club could sweeten a deal by allowing him to also start a transition to the coaching ranks. Rosales wouldn’t play every match next season, but having his presence within the squad and his undoubted teaching abilities would be a big bonus within a young squad. “He has been excellent since the trade and, in the last game, in my view, he was the best player on the park. He’s got a lot to bring to the table, but, obviously, it is a financial decision, as well. I will be doing everything I can to try and keep Mauro at the club.” Cheap Stan Smith China Wholesale . -- So much for concern that running back Marshawn Lynch would be absent from the Seattle Seahawks minicamp. Cheap Stan Smith Online .Cameron sustained his third concussion in three seasons last week on a hit by Oakland safety Brandion Ross, who was fined $22,050 by the NFL for the helmet-to-helmet blow. http://www.wholesalestansmith.com/. However, the 38-year-old is in no hurry to sign with another team. "Im not in a rush. This will be my last contract, so I want to do it right," said Burris on Thursday. Wholesale Stan Smith . Nikolaos Kounenakis has been hired as an assistant coach, the team announced on Monday. Cheap Stan Smith Free Shipping . Goins is the early favourite to win the starting job at second base. Pillar is an outsider to secure a role off the bench, which becomes an even more difficult spot to win if the number of back up jobs is reduced by one. That happens if the Blue Jays decide to start the season with an eight man bullpen.DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Toronto opening day starter R.A. Dickey gave up six runs and seven hits over three innings in the Blue Jays 10-6 victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday. The knuckleballer struck out two and walked four in his final spring training start before Mondays opener at Tampa Bay. Kelly Johnson had a two-run single in the first. Dean Anna hit an RBI double and Carlos Beltran drove in a pair with a double during a four-run second that put New York up 6-0. Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion got hit on the right lower arm by a pitch in the fifth and left the game. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said the first baseman has a bruise, but is fine. Derek Jeter walked, singled and lined out against Dickey. The Yankees captain was limited to 17 games last season after breaking his left ankle in the 2012 playoffs. JETER METER Jeter appears to be breaking out of his offensive funk. He singled in his final at-bat Tuesday, and is 7 for 49 (.143) overall. "We talked about it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He hasnt played really in a year and a half. Timing is an issue, and its getting better every day. Hell have tomorrow off and then play the last two games." DICKEYS DOCKET Dickey was happy with his outing, despite the numbers. "Today was not a day about results," Dickey said. "What was paramount for me was to exercise my arm in a way where I felt good. I was able to use a large range of velocities and I mixed in pitches that I would never throw during the regular season. They put in their heads its another weapon that I might use on them later. So, I did exactly what I wanted to do." STARTING TIME Blue Jays: Manager John Gibbons announced that Drew Hutchison and Dustin McGowan haave made the starting rotation.dddddddddddd. Hutchison will start in Tuesdays game against the Rays. McGowan, who has battled shoulder problems since 2008, won the fifth starter spot and will pitch in the April 4th home opener with the Yankees. Yankees: Reliever Chris Leroux allowed two runs, including Brett Lawries second-inning solo homer, and five hits in three innings. He was hit in the leg by two infield singles in the third, but remained in the game. The Yankees will start lining up their rotation for the regular season Thursday when opening day starter CC Sabathia will pitch. No. 2 Hiroki Kuroda and No. 4 Masahiro Tanaka are scheduled to throw Friday, with No. 3 Ivan Nova taking the mound Saturday. Fifth starter Michael Pineda will start a minor league intrasquad game Sunday. TRAINERS ROOM Blue Jays: Shortstop Jose Reyes, who missed his fourth game due to left hamstring tightness, took on-field batting practice. "We expect him to be ready for opening day," Anthopoulos said. "He could DH Friday. Were going day to day with him and see how he feels." Yankees: Jacoby Ellsbury, out 1 1/2 weeks because of right calf tightness, played five innings in centre fielder during his second minor league game. He is expected to be ready for opening day. Designated hitter Alfonso Soriano played despite minor tightness in his right shoulder. MOVES Blue Jays: Josh Thole beat out Erik Kratz for the backup catcher spot and will catch Dickey opening day. "Im thrilled," Thole said. Its a big honour." Kratz was sent to the minor league camp. Outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo, claimed off waivers from Arizona last Friday, has been told that he will not make the opening day roster. ' ' '