Clan-Members » ve, Dalton said. Hell give you diffe

VANCOUVER -- He was one of those players who was just always there -- and now, suddenly, hes gone. Alain Rochat rarely missed a game or a practice during two-plus seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps. But in a move that caught both players and observers by surprise, he was traded Thursday to D.C. United for a second-round pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft and a conditional pick in 2016. "Its a bit of a head-scratcher," Whitecaps goalkeeper Brad Knighton said after practice. "Obviously, we came in (Thursday) morning ready to train and he was in (the locker-room). Its just one of those things where it happens in this league. I think it caught a lot of people off guard." Born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., but raised in Switzerland, Rochat signed with the Whitecaps in August 2010 before spending the remainder of the year on loan with FC Zurich. In two-plus seasons with Vancouver, the 30-year-old scored five goals and added three assists in 67 regular-season MLS games. He made one MLS Cup playoff appearance and recorded two assists in nine Canadian Championship matches. In addition to left fullback, he played as a holding midfielder at times, while also providing strong leadership. Calm under pressure, he could move the ball with skill, speed and finesse not often associated with players whose priority is to prevent goals. The timing of the deal -- for nothing immediate in return -- was curious because the Whitecaps, coming off a rare road win over the New York Red Bulls, have battled injuries on the back line all season while also being unsettled at times in midfield. Vancouver coach Martin Rennie declined to comment on the timing or specific reasons for the deal, but noted the club has plenty of options to fill the void created by Rochats departure. "Weve got quite a number of players that can play left back and quite a number of players who can play a similar role in midfield," said Rennie. "So when we got the opportunity to make the move, that was why we did it." The coach said the move resulted from many factors, including salary-cap numbers. According to figures released in May by the MLS Players Union, Rochat is earning a $190,000 guaranteed base salary this season. The deal, Rennie added, gives the Whitecaps some flexibility should another potential trade come their way. "The way it works in MLS is: There is a salary cap," said Rennie. "Theres lots of juggling of numbers and salaries and so on. When you do make a move, it does open up opportunities to make others, if you want to." In terms of pressing lineup moves, defender Jordan Harvey is expected to receive more regular duty. Rennie indicated he could play on the right side as he did when Rochat moved up to midfield, and Young-Pyo Lee, a mainstay at right fullback, could be shifted to the left side, where he has played in the past. Harvey, who scored in New York, will be tasked to help the seventh-place Whitecaps, 4-4-4 heading into Saturdays game in Seattle, grab one of the five playoff berths available in the Western Conference. Knighton said the trade gives Rochat a chance to play a key role with a struggling D.C. squad that sits last in the East with a 1-10-2 record. United is minus-18 in goal differential, having allowed 24 while scoring just six. "Alain will provide us immediate help with his experience and leadership," said United general manager Dave Kasper said in a statement. "He is a highly technical and intelligent player who can play on the back line or in the midfield." The trade adds to many travels that Rochat has made during his career. He started in the pro ranks with Switzerlands Yverdon Sport FC in 1999 before moving to Swiss club BSC Young Boys in 2002. He later excelled with Stade Rennais FC of France from 2005-06 prior to joining Zurich. He helped Zurich win a pair of Swiss Super League titles in 2006-07 and 2008-09. But the latest move comes at a challenging time personally for Rochat. His wife is expecting the couples fourth child. "Thats the tough part for us -- when somebody tells you to just leave at the drop of a hat," said Whitecaps goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who also started with the team in 2011. "(Rochat) was one of the original guys here -- and theres not many of us left."Javier Baez Jersey .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Anthony Rizzo Cubs Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-jason-heyward-jersey/ . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Yu Darvish Jersey . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. Carlos Zambrano Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- A.J. Green is first up on this seasons Revis Island itinerary.While Darrelle Revis is looking forward to the season-opening showdown, the New York Jets might make defending the Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver a group excursion.Thats just one of many matchups, coach Todd Bowles said. Its a team effort, and weve got to pick our spots, and Im sure they have to pick their spots. Its not even about Revis and Green. Its about us against them.Still, how the Jets handle Green on Sunday will get lots of attention -- particularly how often he and Revis end up going one-on-one against each other.Green led the Bengals with 86 catches and 1,297 yards receiving last season, and joined Randy Moss as the only players in NFL history with five or more consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin their career.Uh, every challenge possible, Revis said when asked how difficult Green is to face. Ive definitely got a lot of respect for the guy.Thats high praise from a player who has long been considered a shutdown cornerback, and one of the best to have played his position.The last time the two squared off was in 2014, when Green caught four passes for 64 yards with Revis -- playing for New England -- defending him, before the cornerback left with a hamstring issue.Hes one of the top receivers in the league, Revis said. He definitely is.Thats why the Jets might take a different approach with Green by giving Revis safety help with Calvin Pryor and/or Marcus Gilchrist.As we look at it, it wont just be Revis, itll be a lot of people, defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. A.J. is a tremendous player. We have to have 11 sets of eyes kind of knowing where he is. In looking at the way were playing, its not necessarily a 1-on-1 matchup that way.That doesnt mean, however, that there wont be some moments Sunday when its simply Green vs. Revis. But sharing the load is certainly OK with Revis.I think the game plan this week is very comfortable for everybody, Revis said. I think were going to try to switch things up a little bit this week for us to maybe just wear their key guys on offense down a little bit.That approach, according to Revis, could make the Jets defense less predictable.Its a lot of confusion, it could be, and it will be to our benefit, he said. Thats one of the things, comingg into this week, were trying to accomplish.ddddddddddddWhile Revis is still regarded as one of the NFLs top cornerbacks, the mystique that surrounded his weekly shutdowns of teams No. 1 receivers -- which prompted the Revis Island nickname -- is perhaps not as strong as it once was.The respect remains, though. But theres also the reality that Revis is now 31 and perhaps a slight step slower than he was a few years ago.Its going to be a good matchup, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton said. Were going to trust that our guys going to win, and thats the mindset you have to have. When you have one of the best receivers in the league, thats what you expect from him. Thats what A.J. expects from himself, and we wouldnt want anything less.Revis still relies on an impeccable work ethic and his smarts to put himself in great position while defending receivers. In fact, the numbers-crunching site ProFootballFocus.com rated Revis the No. 1 cornerback last season in terms of completion percentage when targeted at just 44.2 percent -- more than 2 points better than Arizonas Patrick Peterson (46.8 percent).But a wrist injury early last season sapped Revis ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage, one of the strengths of his game. Then, some younger and faster receivers had big games against him in Buffalos Sammy Watkins and Houstons DeAndre Hopkins.That caused the doubts about Revis to begin seeping in to some fans and media. Opponents, however, know better.Hes so instinctive, Dalton said. Hell give you different looks, hell play off, hell press, hes got great ball skills. Just his understanding of routes and concepts is what makes him such a good player. His instincts are some of the best out there.Revis wrist is healthy again, and the star cornerback has seen a difference being able to play in bump-and-run coverage in training camp and the preseason.Its definitely good to feel good and be able to strike at the line of scrimmage and be able to jam guys, Revis said. For me, it took time and patience, and now Im finally at a point where I can actually do that.---AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '