Coversongs » at, the rain came. Very long after that, the game was called.

VANCOUVER -- His career was built on making the right choices so its no surprise Jay DeMerit knew the time had come to walk away from playing professional soccer. DeMerit, the first player signed by the expansion Vancouver Whitecaps in 2010 and the Major League Soccer teams first captain, officially announced his retirement Thursday. "When it makes sense, when its right, its not sad," the amiable DeMerit said during a news conference. "Its not something I am going to regret. "Its something I am very proud of." Being convinced he made the right decision didnt stop DeMerit from battling back tears at one point. He will continue to work with the Whitecaps as an ambassador but has other business interests in Vancouver. "I am excited for the future," he said. "By no means is this the end." Known for strong defensive and leadership skills, the centre back had a goal and one assist in 71 career games -- 69 of which he started -- with the Whitecaps. He logged a total of 5,928 minutes during his MLS career. DeMerit spent six seasons with English club Watford FC before joining the Whitecaps. The 34-year-old American also appeared in 25 games with the U.S. national squad, starting four matches at the 2010 World Cup. Two injuries in a 15-month span hobbled DeMerit. In 2013, he missed most of the year with a torn Achilles tendon suffered in the season opener against Toronto FC. Last month, he tore a tendon in his left ankle in a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union. "I knew I was up against it," DeMerit said. It was one day last week while watching the team practise that DeMerit began to question if he could return. "Watching the guys play it just kind of dawned on me I think these days are over," he said. "I looked down and saw an ankle with one real tendon. "I didnt think I had it in me anymore." Later that day while sitting on a Vancouver beach, DeMerit decided to call it a career. "I sat down on a log," he said. "At that exact second, after no other thought, I decided I was going to retire." In a letter to fans posted on the Whitecaps website, DeMerit said if he continued to play he risked damaging the reputation he spent years building. "Ive always been the kind of player who wears his heart on his sleeve and its that heart thats telling me its time to stop," he said. "If I cant be the player that I have always been, and play to a standard that I believe is high enough, then its time for me to smile, say thank you and give my commitment to a new cause." Vancouver president Bob Lenarduzzi said DeMerits charm and charisma off the field played an important role in helping to raise soccers profile in a market dominated by hockey and football. "Jay gets the big picture," said Lenarduzzi. "He gets that in North America we are selling the sport." DeMerit has made over 120 appearances on behalf of the Whitecaps. "His willingness to participate in virtually any request we put in front of him has helped to strengthen our brand in the market place," said Lenarduzzi. Coach Carl Robinson said DeMerits competitive spirit helped mould the team. "Hes a sore loser," said Robinson. "Hes a pain in the backside sometimes when it comes to training because he wants to win so much. "He leads by example. Young players knew what was expected of them. If they stepped out of line, or didnt do the job properly, he would tell them." DeMerit played college soccer at the University of Illinois-Chicago but was overlooked by pro scouts. He travelled to London with $1,200 in his pocket to pursue a soccer career. In his letter he talked about being broke, "sharing bath water" with a friend and playing games with "nothing but a couple of cows and five people in the stands." Eventually DeMerit would score the goal that sent Watford to the Premiership. He played in an FA Cup semifinal against Manchester United and a League Cup semifinal against Liverpool. He also played on the MLS all-star team that beat Chelsea. In Vancouver he helped the Whitecaps become the first Canadian team to reach the MLS playoffs. The chance to be part of a new franchise appealed to DeMerit. "I thought it was an amazing opportunity to be part of a blank canvas," he said. "Vancouver gave me that opportunity." Playing in Vancouver also allowed DeMerit to meet his future wife, Olympic gold medallist skier Ashleigh McIvor. The couple were married last summer. In his letter, DeMerit talked about what soccer gave him. "I got to travel around the world, grace a few magazines and billboards, and got to see the soccer community come together and raise money to make a movie about my life," he said. "I got to talk about my beloved Green Bay Packers with Elton John while in my underwear and drink beers with Bill Clinton. "I got to meet other amazing athletes and even got to marry the most beautiful Olympic gold medallist on the planet." With one chapter of his life finished, DeMerit is anxious to see what the future holds. "This isnt a career ender," he said. "Its a life starter." Buy Yeezy Online Uk . As the schedule flipped from November to December, they would go on to drop five straight, falling six games below the .500 mark before a franchise-altering trade turned them into an unrecognizable team. Yeezy Shoes Uk Sale . On Thursday, a judge said Varlamov could be released if he posted $5,000 bond and be allowed to travel with the team but he was ordered to stay away from his girlfriend, among other restrictions. http://www.cheapyeezyuk.com/ . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have won three in a row for the first time in 4 1/2 months, and theyve done it just in time for the stretch run to the playoffs. Cheap Yeezys For Sale Uk .Y. - Joe Johnson hit six 3-pointers in his 27 points, Mason Plumlee added 18 points, and the Brooklyn Nets won their 11th straight at home, beating the Boston Celtics 114-98 Friday night. Cheap Adidas Yeezy Uk . The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the league hasnt announced the award. Crawford was the Clippers third-leading scorer and the NBAs top-scoring reserve with 18.ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Boston Celtics are prepared to go through growing pains this season as they continue learn to adapt to life without franchise stalwarts Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Coach Brad Stevens is ready for a long process, but will take a few wins like Friday night along the way. Brandon Bass had 16 points, including a pair of free-throws in the closing seconds to help the Boston Celtics fight back from an early hole and hang on for a 91-89 victory over the Orlando Magic. "We talked before about making winning plays in winning time, and we did. That was neat," Stevens said afterward. "Overall, Im very pleased with the result but we still have a lot to work on. Were not that much different than if we wouldnt have won the game." Trailing by three, the Magic had a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but Arron Afflalos jumper came from just a half-step inside the 3-point line. The win is the Celtics second straight and extends their win streak over Orlando to nine games. They will try to make it three straight Saturday at defending champion Miami. Avery Bradley added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics. Boston survived a 36 per cent shooting night from the field and 2-for-14 performance from beyond the arc. It was the fourth straight opponent that the Magic held under 40 per cent. But after taking an early lead they let the Celtics back in the game by committing a season-high 20 turnovers that led to 25 points on the other end. Afflalo led the Magic, who had their three-game win streak ended, with 23 points. Nik Vucevic finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds but was mostly bottled up by Bostons defence. Magic coach Jacque Vaughn said the turnovers also contributed to Vucevics off night. "That didnt help us initiate our offence and then secondly, they did a good job of trying to deny him the basketball," he said. "Youve got to give them credit for their defence." Boston slipped out at a seven-point lead to begin the fourth quarter, but the Magic fought back to tie it at 75. The cushion grew again when Bradley stripped Victor Oladipo at midcourt and sprinted ahead for a dunk and eventual three-point play to put the Celtics back up 81-77 with under 6 minutes to play.dddddddddddd Afflalo knocked down a 3-pointer and was fouled by Bradley with 1:38 left. He promptly completed the four-point play to pull the Magic within 86-84. Kelly Olynyk responded with a jumper on Bostons next possession, but after rebounding a Magic miss on the other end, a floater by Jeff Green caromed off the rim and landed out of bounds. The Magic werent done. Afflalo saved a shaky possession with a driving layup and three-point play to cut the Celtics lead back to 88-87 with 26.5 remaining. Boston tried to run down the clock and Bass was eventually fouled and was able to connect on both of free-throws. Following a timeout, Afflalo got loose and banked in a jumper from the wing, but a review confirmed it he was inside the 3-point line. Bradley was fouled and connected on 1 of his 2 attempts. Oladipo then missed a desperation 3-pointer off the backboard at the buzzer. "We stuck together when we were missing shots, a lot of easy shots," Celtics guard Jordan Crawford said. But everybody stuck together as a team." Afflalo said the loss stings because they felt it was a throwback to lessons they thought they learned a year ago. "This team has been through a lot last year in understanding how valuable wins are," he said. "Outside of that opener (10-point loss to Indiana), weve lost two games now that we felt we should have won. So we are learning in a process, but I think we came to play. "I think the focus just needs to be sharper for a team thats trying to be a team that just won three in a row." NOTES: With the college basketball season opening on Friday night, Stevens said that he has stayed in tune with his former Butler team. "Yeah, I pay attention to it," he said. "Youre always invested more in the people you know and the people that youre really tight with and friends with. Ill be interested to see if my family watches our game (Saturday) night or the Butler game."... Magic F Tobias Harris missed his sixth straight game with a sprained left ankle. ... Pro golfer Bubba Watson sat courtside at Fridays game. ' ' '