Clan-Members » well as some of Uniteds exciting crop of young playe

OMAHA, Neb. -- If theres one thing missing from the 2016 U.S. Olympic trials, it is perhaps one final head-to-head battle between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, arguably the two greatest American male swimmers of all time. And based on the preliminaries of the 200-meter individual medley Thursday morning, the hope for that showdown is still alive.Lochte, swimming with a groin he injured during the breaststroke leg of the 400 IM on Sunday, turned in the fastest prelim time of the morning, at 1 minute, 58.05 seconds. He said he tried to alter his breaststroke kick to minimize the discomfort but felt the pain on the first kick of the breaststroke leg.I was like, damn it, he said. But its a good morning swim.After the race, Lochte hobbled through the mixed zone but told reporters he felt fine. When one suggested he was lying, Lochte replied, I know.Phelps, one day after qualifying for his fifth consecutive Olympics, celebrated his 31st birthday by winning the final heat of the event in a time of 1:58.95. Only Lochte, who swam in the previous heat, had a faster time. I probably didnt warm down enough last night. I didnt really sleep last night, Phelps said. But I said I wanted to go 1:58 so thats good.Phelps said he woke up at 5 a.m. Wednesday unable to sleep and starting firing texts to his coach, Bob Bowman. He pretty much said shut up and get ready for this morning, Phelps said. So I went to sleep for a few hours and came over.When asked what he was doing to celebrate his birthday, Phelps laughed. Im not, he said.Both swimmers will compete in the semifinals of the event Thursday night, in separate heats. The finals are scheduled for Friday night.The list of the top 10 performances ever in the 200 IM is filled with only two names: Lochte and Phelps. They each have five spots on the list, with Lochte the world-record holder. The two have not raced against each other in the 200 IM at a major international meet since the 2012 London Games. Phelps won that battle in a time of 1:54.27.Last summer, when Phelps was suspended from world championships for his September 2014 DUI arrest, Lochte won gold with a time of 1:55.88. Phelps responded at U.S. nationals in San Antonio by swimming the event in the fastest time in 2015, 1:54.75, the eighth-fastest time ever.Earlier this week Phelps scratched the 100- and 200-meter freestyle events to focus on the three events in which he had the fastest times in 2015: the 100- and 200-meter butterfly and the 200 IM.Lochte, 32, has already qualified for the U.S. team in the 200-meter freestyle relay. The 200 IM is his last chance to make the team in an individual event, as he scratched the 200-meter backstroke earlier Thursday morning.I did whats best for me, Lochte said.Nemanja Bjelica Jersey .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. Tyler Lydon Kings Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. https://www.kingslockerroom.com/Skal-Labissiere-City-Edition-Jersey/ .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. Richaun Holmes Jersey .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Cory Joseph Jersey . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield.Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Pallister hopes a red-hot atmosphere at Old Trafford can help propel his former side to an unlikely Europa League last-16 victory over Liverpool.United were only able to muster one shot target in last weeks first leg at Anfield as goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino saw them lose 2-0, leaving them with a mountain to climb on Thursday night. Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring with a penalty against Man Utd last week But Louis van Gaals side showed character to come back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with West Ham in Sundays FA Cup quarter-final and Pallister says that performance is a timley boost ahead of the game with bitter rivals, Liverpool. We didnt want to go into that game off the back of being knocked out of the FA Cup, Pallister told Sky Sports.Its an uphill task and for sure it is a big ask of the players to overcome a 2-0 deficit but hopefully we can get the kind of atmosphere that we saw at Anfield the other night. Gary Pallister in action for United in the mid-nineties It was a red-hot atmosphere last week and I hope it will be red-hot again on Thursday and Liverpool will feel intimidated by coming to Old Trafford with the crowd in full voice.Hopefully that will work in our favour and we can get an early goal and keep the tie alive because if they score well have to score four goals at least. Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson says the Manchester derby at the weekend is crucial if they want to finish in the top four We need to make it a difficult place for them to come and play and the tie will really come to life if we can score the first goal.ddddddddddddIts also important that we dont concede but I think the fans will play a big part on Thursday night.A lacklustre campaign for United - currently sixth in the Premier League - has seen goalkeeper David de Gea emerge as one of the clubs best performers this season. Utd club ambassador Pallister won 10 major trophies in nine years at Old Trafford Club ambassador Pallister admitted the Spaniard has been influential this season but says he has also been impressed by Chris Smalling and Daley Blind, as well as some of Uniteds exciting crop of young players.I think Chris Smalling has been outstanding this season, Pallister said.Hes had a couple of injury problems this year but I think we saw again on Sunday that he had a very difficult tussle with Andy Carroll - who is obviously very physical - and we needed someone like Chris to stand up to try and nullify threat. Chris Smalling shackled West Ham striker Andy Carroll at Old Trafford on Sunday The kids have also done really well. Marcus Rashford has had an outstanding start to his United career and I think young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has grown in stature with every game.I also think Daley Blind has been really good this year. Hes been moved around into a few positions this year but his understanding of the game is top-class.He reads the game so well, hes a terrific footballer and I think he can take a lot of pride in his performances this year.Gary Pallister was speaking at an event launching a global partnership between Manchester United and Gulf Oil International.Also See:Law: United need Rooney backLiverpool to train at Old TraffordLVG failure would harm UnitedButt hails United youngsters ' ' '