ed Bulls. "When you watched him as a player, he was

VANCOUVER - Carl Robinson is the new head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 37-year-old Welshman takes over after spending the last two seasons as an assistant with the Major League Soccer club. "Its a very proud moment for me to be here today," Robinson said at his introductory press conference. "Its something that I have always dreamed of doing and its the natural progression for me in my career." Robinson replaces Martin Rennie, who was fired in October after Vancouver failed to make the playoffs. The Whitecaps fourth coach since the club joined MLS in 2011, Robinson will have full autonomy over personnel decisions. "Its a task Im looking forward to. I know Im going to face this challenge head on," said Robinson. "There will be hard work along the way, but Im up for that challenge." The Whitecaps made the playoffs with Rennie at the helm in 2012, but stumbled down the stretch this past season. Vancouver also failed to win the Amway Canadian Championship, which the club has put an emphasis on because it means a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League. After Rennie was shown the door, club president Bob Lenarduzzi said MLS experience would be an important trait for his successor. Robinson has that, although not as a head coach. As a player, the bruising midfielder started his career in England before spending three seasons with Toronto FC and one campaign with the New York Red Bulls. "When you watched him as a player, he was a leader on the field," said Lenarduzzi. "He was constantly communicating, constantly encouraging his players. To me, what that will do is ideally translate through to his next task of being a head coach." Robinson, who played 52 times for his country, made 86 MLS appearances and was twice named TFCs most valuable player. "His vision aligns with ours as a club. Hes committed to youth development," said Lenarduzzi. "We have a like-minded philosophy in terms of attempting to play entertaining and attacking soccer." Lenarduzzi confirmed that former U.S. and Egyptian national team coach Bob Bradley, who was rumoured to be in the running for the job, spent a weekend in Vancouver during the interview process but decided to pursue other options in Europe. Lenarduzzi said Robinson and all of the other candidates were kept appraised of the situation while the Whitecaps explored the "unique opportunity" to speak with Bradley. "As far as the coach search taking longer than we would have anticipated, if Bob Bradley doesnt come up then more than likely it would have been done sooner," said Lenarduzzi. "But for us not to pursue that I think would have been wrong on our part." Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Jersey . Ribery, who won UEFAs best player in Europe award for the 2012-13 season, helped Bayern Munich win the Champions League and Bundesliga and German Cup titles. 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Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies.MADRID, Spain -- Atletico Madrid moved one step closer to its first Spanish league title in 18 years with a 2-0 win over Elche on Friday, and now turns its attention to receiving Chelsea in the Champions League semifinals. Atleticos eighth straight win in the league kept it in control of its destiny and needing three wins in the final four rounds to claim its first league title since 1996. Defender Miranda scored the opening goal at Vicente Calderon Stadium in the 72nd minute when he floated his header just inside the upright before Diego Costa added a penalty he had earned in stoppage time for his 27th league goal of the season. Atletico needed goalkeeper Courtois Thibaut to make successive saves around the half-hour mark, and didnt lose its composure after David Villa had a penalty saved in the 51st. Atletico provisionally extended its lead over Real Madrid to six points, with Barcelona another point behind. Madrid wont play Valladolid until May 7 as it rests after winning the Copa del Rey title and prepares to host Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the other Champions League semifinal. Barcelona hosts Athletic Bilbao on Sunday needing to rebound from losing in the Copa del Rey final and keep alive its dwindling hopes of defending its league title. Regardless of the two powerhouses results, Atletico can break their combined nine-year hold on the league crown by winning three of its four remaining games at Valencia and Levante, then home against Malaga, before the season finale at Barcelona. "All the games here on in are going to be tough," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. ";We have made it through one final and have four to go.dddddddddddd I dont even want to think that winning three will be enough. All our effort and work make us focus on the four games left, and three are away from home. "Now we need to recover the best we can for Chelsea, a game that is very important for us, our fans and the history of the club." Diego Costa showed no signs of the deep cut in his left shin he received last week when he slammed into the goal post while scoring at Getafe, with the Brazilian striker causing Elches defence trouble from the start. He earned a penalty when fouled from behind by Ionut Sapunaru, who was sent off with his second yellow card, giving Diego Costa the chance to pull within one goal of Cristiano Ronaldos league-leading tally of 28 goals for Madrid this campaign. Courtois did his part by making saves to deny Javi Marquez and Sapunaru, again proving his major contribution to Atleticos championship bid. Simeone sent on midfielders Raul Garcia and Jose Sosa early in the second half, and both set up scoring opportunities. Raul was fouled to produce a penalty, only for Villa to have his spot kick smothered by goalie Manuel Herrera before he was replaced by Sosa. Sosa picked out Miranda at the far post for him to lift his corner kick into the side of the net and set Atletico on its way. "It was a set piece we had worked on," said Miranda, the latest role player to step up at big moments and score key goals for Atletico. "We know how to dig down when we have to. We have four finals left and we have to win them." ' ' '