Talk » Clippers are coming off the best two-season stretch in club

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil -- For Hope Solo, the firsts keep coming.On Saturday, barring anything unusual, Solo will appear in her 200th game for the U.S. womens national team in a group stage match against France at the Rio Olympics. Shell be the first goalkeeper in history to reach the milestone in international play -- no small feat.It also will make her the 11th U.S. player -- across all positions -- to reach that number of caps.As a goalkeeper, I think shes the best one in the world, France coach Philippe Bergeroo said. Shes always good for the U.S. even when the team is in difficult times.The 200th cap is just the latest notable statistic for Solo in a long, illustrious and always interesting career.Last month, Solo became the first goalkeeper with 100 international shutouts when the United States defeated South Africa 1-0 at Chicagos Soldier Field. It was also her 150th career win.About a year ago, Solo won her second straight Golden Glove Award for the best goalkeeper at the Womens World Cup, which the United States won. Over the course of the tournament in Canada she had five clean sheets and allowed just three goals in seven games.And just earlier this week, 16-year national team veteran got her 101st shutout when the United States defeated New Zealand 2-0 in the teams Olympic opener in Belo Horizonte.Hope is obviously such an experienced player. And having been through so many world tournaments -- the limelight, the pressure, and the focus thats on you -- its an incredible resource to have her back there, U.S. defender Meghan Klingenberg said. Its also a safety net we fall back on: We try to make things as easy as possible for her, but we know that we have someone who is world class in the next behind us.Along the way shes vocally advocated for womens rights. Solo was among the U.S. players who filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for wage discrimination, saying the mens national team players have been paid much more than many on the womens team, which for years has out-performed the U.S. men on the international stage.More recently, shes called for better conditions for players in the National Womens Soccer League.But the former Dancing with the Stars contestant has also seen her share of controversy -- and the Rio Games have been no exception. She riled some Brazilians when she posted photo of herself decked out in mosquito netting and armed with insecticide, with the caption: Not sharing this!!! Get your own! (hashtag) zikaproof.As a result, fans at the group stage opener in Belo Horizonte booed her every time she touched the ball, and at one point jeered her with chants of Zi-ka! Zi-ka!Im glad the fans had fun, Solo said following the game. And if they had fun at my expense, more power to them.For now, all that drama is outside noise. The focus for the U.S. is winning a fourth straight gold medal in the sport. The Americans are also vying to be the first team to win at the Olympics after winning the World Cup.Hope Solo is solid when it comes to focusing on the games. Shes 100 percent focused on the games, Klingenberg said. Regardless of what happens -- regardless of the cheers, the chants, whatever -- I know shes focused on what shes here to do. And thats to be goalkeeper for the United States and play the best that she can.Zack Granite Jersey . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Joey Gallo Rangers Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/1492h-joe-palumbo-jersey-rangers.html . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Kyle Bird Rangers Jersey . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Jeff Russell Jersey . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason.LOS ANGELES -- After weeks of negotiations and intrigue, Doc Rivers has officially left the Boston Celtics for the Los Angeles Clippers. Rivers will be introduced as the Clippers new coach and senior vice-president of basketball operations at a news conference Wednesday at their Playa Vista training complex, capping a lengthy process by completing a rare trade involving a championship-winning coach. The Clippers and Celtics finalized the move Tuesday when the NBA approved the deal. Boston will get an unprotected first-round pick in 2015 from the Clippers for Rivers, who went 416-305 and won the 2008 NBA title during nine seasons with the Celtics. Bostons front office mostly had warm words for Rivers after he took off for his exciting new team on the West Coast, apparently not eager to stick around for the aging Celtics rebuilding process. "We dont have a championship without Doc Rivers coaching," said Danny Ainge, the Celtics president of basketball operations. "He did an unbelievable job. He has a long history of great success with us in the last nine years, and we wish him the best in Los Angeles." Rivers is likely to be the NBAs highest-paid coach with the deal, and hell also have a prominent role in the Clippers front office with his additional title. Clippers owner Donald Sterling will expect impressive results for such an investment, but his long-suffering franchise has never been in better shape on the court -- providing Los Angeles re-signs Chris Paul, who is eligible for a five-year contract worth nearly $108 million in July. Paul is widely expected to stick with the Clippers, and Rivers arrival might cinch the deal. With Boston likely to spend the next few years revamping, Rivers seized the chance to take over one of the leagues most compelling young teams. He was eagerly pursued by the Clippers, who are coming off the best regular season in franchise history with a roster built around Blake Griffin and Paul. "He felt like it was time for a change," Ainge said. "He felt like we all needed a change. That was his rationalization or justification for going to the Clippers, that this was better for everybody. I dont think there should be any resentment. I know how Boston fans are. This may be a win-win for everybody." The 51-year-old Rivers replaces Vinny Del Negro, who wasnt re-signed after the Clippers won a franchise-record 56 games and their first Pacific Division title last season. Los Angeles first-round playoff loss to Memphis likely cost Del Negro, who went 128-102 over three years and became the only Clippers coach to post consecutive winning seasons in 35 years. Rivers new deal is expected to be similar to the three years and $21 million thhat remained on his contract with the Celtics.dddddddddddd Boston was knocked out of the first round of the playoffs by New York last month, and Rivers gradually became more interested in the Clippers vacancy than the Celtics rebuilding process. The negotiations for Rivers proceeded deliberately and abruptly over the past two weeks, with several potential moves discussed by the franchises. Ainge would have welcomed Rivers back to the Boston bench, but Rivers apparently saw the Clippers as a golden opportunity. "Sometimes youve got to let your good people go to pursue what they need to pursue to make themselves happy," Celtics President Rich Gotham said. "While its tough to see Doc go, I think we feel good about what he did here. We will be lucky to find as good a coach as Doc was." Los Angeles also spoke to Boston about acquiring star forward Kevin Garnett in another element of the trade involving Rivers, but NBA Commissioner David Stern wont allow teams to trade active players for a coach. Garnett and Southern California native Paul Pierce wont be reuniting with Rivers in Los Angeles any time soon: Ainge said the NBA has forbidden player trades between the two teams for the rest of the year, and both aging stars are under contract for next season. Garnett has discussed the possibility of retirement with two years and over $23.5 million left on his deal, while Pierce is due to make $15.3 million next season. Rivers played one season for the Clippers in 1991-92 during his 13-year NBA career, and they made the playoffs that season for the first time since the former Buffalo Braves moved to the West Coast in 1978. Los Angeles has made only five playoff appearances and won just two rounds since that season. But the Clippers are coming off the best two-season stretch in club history, and Rivers arrival further alters the franchises decades-long reputation. Rivers will be an intriguing match with the high-flying Clippers and their Lob City acrobatics, but his coaching pedigree and leadership skills will provide him with immediate credibility in his new locker room. Rivers Boston teams played at a more deliberate pace than last seasons Clippers often used last season, but the veteran coach is likely to adapt his offensive plans to fit the Clippers talent. Rivers impact on Los Angeles could be felt most on defence, where the Clippers often struggled last season despite their lofty record. After his playing career ended in 1996, Rivers went into broadcasting before serving as the Orlando Magics head coach for just over four seasons from 1999-2003, going 171-168 and winning an NBA coach of the year award. He is one of four active NBA coaches who have won a championship. ' ' '