VANCOUVER -- Striker Kenny Miller wants to make the most of

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VANCOUVER -- Striker Kenny Miller wants to make the most of his seemingly limited time left with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Miller, a former Scottish international slated to become a free agent under a quirky contract that expires at mid-season, hopes to start Saturday in the second of back-to-back games with the Los Angeles Galaxy at B.C. Place Stadium. He was deployed as a second-half substitute in the opening encounter last weekend in Carson, Calif. You can watch all the action on TSN beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. "Obviously, its disappointing for any professional to sit and watch," said Miller. "You want to go on that field and you want to be helping the team out and you want to be in a position where you can influence the game. "If you sit and watch, its really frustrating, because you cant do that." The Whitecaps (2-2-2) lost 1-0 to the Galaxy (2-1-1) last weekend. Not only does Vancouver want to avenge that loss but also earn its first victory in three games. Millers presence in the starting lineup could come in handy because he leads the team in scoring with three goals and one assist in six appearances. Coach Carl Robinson used Miller as a substitute last weekend to rest and refresh the 34-year-old Edinburgh native. Miller, who came on in the 70th minute, didnt take kindly to the move. "I want to play every minute of every game," said Miller. "I dont want to come off. I dont want to sit on the bench. "I want to play every game. Hes paid to make the decisions and thats the decision he made, so youve got to accept it." Miller had off-season knee surgery, and Robinson, who is in his first season as Vancouvers head coach after two as an assistant, made it known early in the season hed rest older veterans, especially in road games. Captain Jay DeMerit stayed home for a road game against New England. But Miller doesnt see a need to rest for health reasons, contending hes "probably the fittest" he has felt since joining the Whitecaps midway through the 2012 season. If Miller does start, as expected, hell probably line up in a two-striker formation with Darren Mattocks rather than a lone-striker setup the club has used in the past. Robinson believes Miller and Mattocks play better inside rather than with one out on the wing. The Whitecaps have only one win -- a 3-1 home decision last season - in nine MLS meetings with the Galaxy. Robinson liked how his team played defensively last weekend, but wants it to produce more scoring chances against an L.A. team he feels has "an aura" because it has won two of the past three MLS championships. If Miller does get more playing time, it could eventually help his chances of re-signing with Vancouver. Robinson, a former teammate of Miller with Wolverhampton in England, is looking for Miller to make an impact before the club offers him a contract extension. Vancouver signed Miller to a rare six-month extension last October. In accordance with FIFA rules, he is now eligible to negotiate with other teams and has instructed his agents to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Despite persistent reports last year the striker wanted to rejoin his former Glasgow Rangers squad, Miller has insisted he wants to remain a Whitecap. But he and the club havent started formal contract talks. "Theres nothing, theres no update," he said. "On June 30, the contract runs out. Until then, if they dont see it differently, thats when its done. "Six months ago, they knew what the situation was going to be and we just get on with that. The club, of they want to talk, then Ill talk. If they dont, then we dont." In the meantime, Miller plays on -- at Robinsons discretion, with the Vancouver coach not offering any confirmation if Miller would start against L.A. Robinson said Millers playing time will depend on factors heading into each game between now and June 30. His minutes wont be cut to give young players more action in preparation for his departure. "A decision wont be based upon any contractual status," said Robinson. "Itll be based on who I think will win us that game, and then (June 30), well see where we go." Robinson admitted he was "sitting on the fence" on Millers status, adding he has already devised a plan with coaches and management based on this year and next. Dealing with Millers contract deadline will mark the first step in the plan. But Miller isnt the only veteran looking to reclaim his starting position. Midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is anxious to play after sitting out the past three games. He missed the first two contests due to a concussion suffered in a freak off-field collision with a bicycle rack but was a healthy scratch last weekend in L.A. Robinson said Reo-Coker has trained the right way this week, but the English midfielder contended he needs game action to stay at his sharpest. "The best form of fitness is games," said Reo-Coker. But working against Reo-Coker is defensive midfielder Matias Labas return following a one-game suspension for receiving a red card against Colorado on April 5. Robinson was also pleased with the performance of central midfielders Gershon Koffie and Russell Teibert and suggested theyll be called on again. Teibert, a Niagara Falls, Ont., native, drew Robinsons praise for his aggressive marking of famed Galaxy striker Robbie Keane, who leads L.A. with three goals and an assist this season. Robinson noted Teibert "got under (Keanes) skin." The Vancouver coach and Keane have also been known to exchange unpleasantries on the field --but not for long. Theyve been close since they were teenage teammates with Wolverhampton in the mid-1990s. "We do go way back," said Robinson. "But for 90 minutes, hes not my friend." Hector Bellerin Jersey .Y. - For once, Clayton Kershaw was glad to see a long shutout streak end. Henrikh Mkhitaryan Jersey . Pominville scored in all three of Minnesotas games last week to help the Wild (8-4-3, 19 points) earn four out of a possible six points. His best performance was in a 4-3 win over Montreal on Friday, where he posted a season-high three points (two goals, one assist), including the game-winning goal. http://www.arsenalsoccerproshop.com/Aut ... al-Jersey/. Patty Mills had 20 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in limited action, and San Antonio rolled to a 110-82 victory over Milwaukee that kept the Bucks winless in the new year. Bernd Leno Arsenal Jersey .com) - Eric Fehr and Marcus Johansson each registered a pair of goals, as Washington spoiled the head coaching debut of Peter Horachek by picking up a 6-2 victory in Toronto on Wednesday. Sead Kolasinac Arsenal Jersey .C. -- The Edmonton Oilers used a late-power-play goal to get a hard-fought road victory. WASHINGTON -- Two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia ended her four-year WTA title drought Sunday, beating Kurumi Nara of Japan 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the Citi Open. Asked if it felt like so much time had passed since she won a tournament, Kuznetsova smiled broadly and replied: "It feels like its been too long." It was the 14th tournament victory for the 29-year-old Kuznetsova, but her first since she won at San Diego in August 2010. Her collection includes trophies from the 2004 U.S. Open and 2009 French Open. "I work very hard every day, trying to improve things. After you win Slams, not winning tournaments -- its really hard," Kuznetsova said. At 4-all in the final set, with Kuznetsova serving, they played the longest game of the match, with 16 points, five deuces and one break point. "I got a little bit paralyzed and was getting tight, and Im happy I overcame this feeling today," Kuznetsova said. "But definitely, didnt play my best tennis in the end of second and third set." Still, Kuznetsova eventually held to lead 5-4, then broke Nara in the next game to end it. Naraa said she "tried (to) focus again" when serving to stay in the match, but Kuznetsova would not allow her to play as aggressively as she wanted.dddddddddddd "She hit a very heavy ball, so I cannot go very (easily) into the court," Nara said. Kuznetsova, who was seeded sixth and ranked 26th, had never played in Washingtons hard-court tuneup for the U.S. Open. She said that when she was trying to decide whether to enter the Citi Open or the WTA tournament at Stanford, California, the same week, some other players tried to persuade her to skip Washington, saying the citys heat is too tough and that in the past, the tournament didnt have top-level facilities such as the gym or locker room. But she liked that it was on the East Coast and a short flight to Canada for next weeks hard-court tour stop. And, in the end, Kuznetsova left town with a trophy. The unseeded Nara, who was bidding for her second singles title of 2014, also was the runner-up in doubles at the Citi Open. "I like Washington," Nara said. "Hopefully, I (will) come back next hear. I like U.S. hard courts." ' ' '