Whats behind Erik Hurtados sudden and dramatic turnaround? Why is he all of a sudden scoring highlight reel goals and game winners? According to Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson there is no difference. Justin Reid Jersey . Hes the same player he always was, only now his efforts are being rewarded. The rookie manager has made a habit of heaping praise on others when things are going well, and accepting criticism when they arent. But in the case of Hurtado, its what the coach is NOT saying that may be the secret to a superb run of form. Last year, you could almost see the Santa Clara grad thinking while he played. "Should I go here?" "Whos my man?" "Do I shoot or do I cross?" The amount of times a promising attack would fizzle out at his feet was frustrating for not just the fans, but his former manager as well. When your coach loses faith, its tough to believe in yourself. So the mantra this year for Hurtado and many of the other young studs in the Whitecaps stable is stop thinking. Just go play. For the most part, its working. Hurtado has been employed as both a lone striker, and a right sided weapon. Hes looked equally dangerous in both roles. One can only imagine what might happen when his freedom of thought becomes routine and instinctual. Compare the Real Salt Lake game a month ago, when in the late stages, last years fifth overall pick burst down the right flank and instead of unleashing one of his palm stinging drives, he squared it up for a team-mate, with coach Robinson pleading for a shot. From virtually the same spot in last Saturdays game against Seattle Sounders Hurtado blasted home off the cross bar, and the Whitecaps were back on level terms only minutes after cruelly falling behind. There was no thought. There was no passing of responsibility. It was the same explosive drive the 23-year-old has unleashed hundreds of times in training, and throughout his formative years. The ball doesnt seem to run away from "E-Money" anymore either. His touch is tidier, the runs are becoming less predictable, and the end product is inherently powerful. Youd be hard pressed to find a similarly statured player with the kinds of tools Hurtado possesses. Hes been told more than once that a running back in the other type of football might have suited his skill set more. Thankfully his dad wasnt having it. Now the one time Beaverton Oregon boy gets to return to the state of his youth, as a bona fide starter, and a legitimate threat. Surely the family and friends in attendance will motivate him further, rather than distract. Carl Robinson could also have the luxury of Darren Mattocks at his disposal for the June 1st tilt at Providence Park. Mattocks will be racking up the air miles on Jamaican duty, but will still be available to face his old Akron Zips coach Caleb Porter, and best pal Darlington Nagbe. Might we see Hurtado, Mattocks and Manneh all on the park at once as some supporters had fantasized already last pre-season? Hopefully the manager can keep them all from thinking about it too much. DeAndre Hopkins Texans Jersey . Playing in his fourth major league game, Polanco broke a tie in the 13th inning with his first homer, helping Pittsburgh to an 8-6 victory over the Miami Marlins after the Pirates had a ninth-inning meltdown. Kahale Warring Texans Jersey . Howard had 17 points and a career-high-tying 26 rebounds in his Houston debut, James Harden added 21 points and the Rockets cruised to a 96-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. http://www.officialhoustontexanspro.com/Jj-watt-texans-jersey/ .com) - Ryan Miller made 28 saves to record his fifth shutout of the season and second in as many nights as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Friday.Sam Shields will not be hitting the free agent market. According to a report from ESPN, the Green Bay Packers have re-signed the cornerback to a four-year, $39 million deal with a $12.5 million signing bonus. Shields, 26, has developed innto the Packers top cover corner in his four years with the team. Tytus Howard Youth Jersey. . The former undrafted free agent tied a career-high with four interceptions last season. For his career he has 141 tackles and 13 interceptions. ' ' '