Despite not scoring a goal yet this season, Vancouver Whitecaps forward Darren Mattocks is a happy man these days. "He is in a good place – his work rate has been fantastic and when centre forwards work that hard they will get their rewards and his are coming," head coach Carl Robinson told me. The 23-year-old Mattocks has started all four games for the Whitecaps so far, coming off in both home victories, but when he has been withdrawn he has been a very active, lively member of the bench, cheering a team on that he finally feels a part of. He told me: "We are playing really well, we just have to keep working on things, improving, making space for each other, do the simple things right and then getting the results. "The simple things in soccer will make the biggest difference – everything else will then fall into place. The cohesion in the group right now is really good, we added not only some fantastic players but fantastic people...fun, loving guys and thats helped contribute to our success." As Mattocks tells me about the winter additions he nods his head over towards Robinson in a way of recognition for what the Welshman was able to do before a ball was even kicked this season. It is easy to see the relationship between coach and player is an important one. Happy Mattocks + Happy Robinson = A focused player on the field. When Robinson was given the job in December many saw his adoption of Mattocks as a negative storyline, with some expecting the Whitecaps to trade the inconsistent striker. Robinson disagreed. He went to work on how to get the best out of the Jamaican immediately. "He was one of the first phone calls I made, after I got the job. I know he has fantastic attributes, he lost his way a bit last year and I knew confidence was a problem with him because I saw in training what he can be, but didnt see it enough on a regular basis in games. If you are not playing, as a young player, if you are not handled correctly then you dont develop. I told him I would help him with this, I said it wont be easy but it was important for me to make his base stronger so he understands that he has support in different situations." Robinsons Mattocks Project was not exclusively about the player himself. "I spoke to (Portland boss) Caleb Porter at the draft and he knew a bit about Darrens background and how he dealt with Darren when he was with him at Akron and I used that and philosophy and have taken his advice and it seems to be working. I have to say, he has come back with a renewed attitude and we are seeing the results." Mattocks acknowledges he is different this season and doesnt think twice as to why. "For him to take time for me, it says a lot for you as a player, of course, but also as a person because Carl knew me outside of soccer and thats really important. If you want to get more out of a player, perhaps some coaches take it for granted not knowing more about players outside of soccer, but Carl got to know me that way and thats translated now into our relationship back into soccer as well. Its a big confidence booster to know the coach has got your back, and is willing to play you game in, game out. We have a really good relationship." When asked if that is what he lacked in 2013, Mattocks refuses to be drawn on last season and his issues with then-coach Martin Rennie, saying: "I mean, I wouldnt say it wasnt there – just some things were missing last year and Carl has taken care of that and helped me focus more on my game." Despite playing sparingly under Rennie last year, the thing most people will remember Mattocks for last year was that interview he did in Jamaica where he certainly didnt help the image of himself or his club. Five months on, Mattocks says he has long since forgotten about it, saying: "I am an honest person, you know, it came out the wrong way and I take full responsibility for what I did, but its long gone and I have looked past it. I have learned from it, it will never happen again and I just need to keep looking forward." The Jamaican did admit that he prayed about the situation and leaned on his relationship with God afterwards. "Faith is the biggest thing for me. I have always put God first in everything, good and bad. There are times when people go through some trials and tribulations but I genuinely believe that if you have faith in God and you are a strong believer, everything else will take care of itself." During the off-season, Mattocks, who says he never goes out to party, spent a lot of down time with a small support group he trusts, including his girlfriend, mom and two elder brothers. However, he didnt need time away from the game. "I love soccer, I watch all the leagues but the Premier League is very big in Jamaica – they love it there – as a boy growing up there you dream of playing in the Premier League and hopefully, one day, I can play there but I dont want to get too far ahead of myself, for now I want to help this league grow and do my best for Vancouver." Mattocks doesnt hesitate when asked about his favourite player, almost breaking away from his quiet tone to shout Steven Gerrard. "My favourite team is Liverpool. Gerrard is a fantastic leader and role model and I try to emulate him on the field as much as I can. Its been a great season, amazing and hopefully we can get the title, we have a pretty good chance." We talk more about the Premier League and when we talk about when Robinson was playing at that level, his eyes widen in awe of his new mentor. "Hes a lucky guy eh? Thats why he is really good as a manager because he is played there and in MLS and as a young coach he is really fantastic, I know he is going to be a really good coach for a long time." As well as helping Mattocks to one day reach another level, Robinson has helped him get his passion back for the game. "Firstly, I have to be grateful to God for giving me this opportunity and I need to thank God for giving me this talent but, to be honest, it is a fantastic feeling to play professional soccer game in, game out, it is great. "I tell my girlfriend all of the time I just dont think I could do a 9 to 5 job, take nothing away from those who do it, but I am really happy with what I am doing and I am so grateful to God and I hope I continue to have success and making sure I do the small things right." Now a Jamaican international goalscorer, Mattocks dreams of making it to the 2018 World Cup in Russia but his priorities for 2014 are firmly set on the ground in Vancouver where the maturation process continues to be in effect, on and off the field, as he learns from experienced players like Jay DeMerit, Kenny Miller and Andy OBrien. "They know what it takes, they have played at the highest level and they bring their leadership and experience but, importantly, they are so humble and its a real credit to all of those guys that they want this club to grow. They are really even keel – they dont get too high or low and thats rubbing off on the young players, and it is most definitely, rubbing off on me." A smiling Mattocks leaves the interview with a spring in his step. The only thing to make him happier would be a goal to ignite his season. Oh, and a certain player lifting a certain trophy at Anfield in May. Elgton Jenkins Jersey . 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Vinci also beat Dulgheru last week in Bucharest en route to her first WTA final in a year. Vinci next faces sixth-seeded Kurumi Nara of Japan, who beat Czech qualifier Katerina Siniakova 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-2. No.PHILADELPHIA - Kyle Lowry lifted the Toronto Raptors from what appeared would be a loss — and coach Dwane Casey still wasnt happy.Lowry scored 17 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter to lead Toronto to a 91-86 comeback victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.Im glad we came back, but we cant rely on that if we are serious about competing in this league, Casey said. Weve got an air of complacency and I dont like it. Its everybody collectively. We have to come out with a better effort. We cant come out and perform like that.It was just the fourth win in the last 12 games for the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors, who gave up the first 15 points, trailed by as many as 16 early and had to overcome a nine-point deficit with 5 1/2 minutes remaining against the hapless 76ers.I feel like we need every win we can get, Lowry said. We cant let games like this slip away from us. Thats a hard-playing team, but we have a bigger goal.Patrick Patterson added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Raptors.Lowry, selected Thursday as a starter for the All-Star game, entered the final period with four points on 2-for-9 shooting before heating up late when the Raptors desperately needed him.Robert Covington scored 18 points to lead six 76ers in double-figures. It was the fourth straight loss and sixth in seven games for Philadelphia, which dropped to 3-18 at home.Philadelphia played without leading scorer Tony Wroten for the sixth straight contest. The team announced before the game that Wroten will be sidelined indefinitely due to a partially torn ACL that will require surgery.Philadelphias Nerlens Noel returned to the lineup after missing Wednesdays 98-91 loss to the Knicks due to sickness. It was the first time Noel and Michael Carter-Williams were on the court together since Noels critical comments of the Philadelphia point guard following Mondays 111-76 defeat at Washington.The duo provided a Philadelphia highlight early in the fourth quarter when Carter-Williams whipped an over-the-shoulder pass to Noel for an easy dunk that tied the game at 68 with 9:09 left.The 76ers then went ahead 70-68 on Luc Mbah a Moutes jumper with 8:11 remaining, giving Philadelphia its first lead since early in the second quarter. Two straight baskets by Noel followed by Mbah a Moutes three-point plaay put Philadelphia up 77-69 with 5:39 to play.ddddddddddddowry, a Philadelphia native, then heated up, scoring all 13 points during a 13-4 Toronto run over the next three minutes and his third 3-pointer during the stretch knotted the game at 81 with 2:48 left.I just didnt want us to lose tonight, Lowry said. I think my teammates were counting on me and we needed somebody to pick up the energy. And I felt like it was my time to pick up the energy and go out there and do my job.The Raptors went up 85-81 on Demar DeRozans layup and Lowrys two free throws, but Carter-Williams hit a 3 with 1:03 left and then stripped Lowry and converted a breakaway layup to give the 76ers an 86-85 lead with 42.1 seconds left.Greivis Vasquez put Toronto back in front 87-86 with a layup with 25.9 seconds remaining.The 76ers had a chance to go in front, but Carter-Williams pass attempt inside to Noels was denied. He then committed a foul and Jonas Valanciunas made both free throws with 10.6 seconds left, and Philadelphia couldnt convert on its possession.As theyve done all season, Philadelphia remained positive with a long-term look at yet another defeat.Games like that go a long way for us as a young team, Noel said. And as we continue to grow and be in certain situations like that, well only get better with our defensive and offensive execution and just being able to close out games like that.DOUBLE DOWNNoel finished with 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, giving him six double-doubles on the season. That marks the most among rookies.HOLD THEM DOWNToronto improved to 9-0 this season when holding teams under 90 points and have won 18 straight dating to last season when keeping opponents under that mark.TIP-INSRaptors: Lowry is the third Raptors player to earn an All-Star game start, joining Chris Bosh (2007) and Vince Carter (2000-04). ... Toronto won its seventh straight against Philadelphia, including three this season.76ers: Mbah a Moute returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a left knee injury. ... Philadelphia failed to reach 100 points for the 20th consecutive game, marking the longest such streak for the club since doing it 25 straight times in the 2003-04 season.UP NEXTThe 76ers visit Memphis on Saturday night.Toronto hosts Detroit on Sunday. ' ' '