VANCOUVER - Carl Robinson is the new head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps. Kent Hrbek Jersey . The 37-year-old Welshman takes over after spending the last two seasons as an assistant with the Major League Soccer club. "Its a very proud moment for me to be here today," Robinson said at his introductory press conference. "Its something that I have always dreamed of doing and its the natural progression for me in my career." Robinson replaces Martin Rennie, who was fired in October after Vancouver failed to make the playoffs. The Whitecaps fourth coach since the club joined MLS in 2011, Robinson will have full autonomy over personnel decisions. "Its a task Im looking forward to. I know Im going to face this challenge head on," said Robinson. "There will be hard work along the way, but Im up for that challenge." The Whitecaps made the playoffs with Rennie at the helm in 2012, but stumbled down the stretch this past season. Vancouver also failed to win the Amway Canadian Championship, which the club has put an emphasis on because it means a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League. After Rennie was shown the door, club president Bob Lenarduzzi said MLS experience would be an important trait for his successor. Robinson has that, although not as a head coach. As a player, the bruising midfielder started his career in England before spending three seasons with Toronto FC and one campaign with the New York Red Bulls. "When you watched him as a player, he was a leader on the field," said Lenarduzzi. "He was constantly communicating, constantly encouraging his players. To me, what that will do is ideally translate through to his next task of being a head coach." Robinson, who played 52 times for his country, made 86 MLS appearances and was twice named TFCs most valuable player. "His vision aligns with ours as a club. Hes committed to youth development," said Lenarduzzi. "We have a like-minded philosophy in terms of attempting to play entertaining and attacking soccer." Lenarduzzi confirmed that former U.S. and Egyptian national team coach Bob Bradley, who was rumoured to be in the running for the job, spent a weekend in Vancouver during the interview process but decided to pursue other options in Europe. Lenarduzzi said Robinson and all of the other candidates were kept appraised of the situation while the Whitecaps explored the "unique opportunity" to speak with Bradley. "As far as the coach search taking longer than we would have anticipated, if Bob Bradley doesnt come up then more than likely it would have been done sooner," said Lenarduzzi. "But for us not to pursue that I think would have been wrong on our part." Bert Blyleven Twins Jersey . LeBron James believes hes a major reason for their early failures. Marwin Gonzalez Twins Jersey . - New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has an agreement to bring back outside linebacker Parys Haralson on a one-year deal. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-kent-hrbek-jersey/ . Jonathan Crompton led the team to a 40-9 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Crompton threw three touchdown passes - two to Duron Carter and one to Brandon London - and Sean Whyte connected on four field goals to power the Alouettes to the win.EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers have signed centre Bogdan Yakimov on a three-year entry-level contract. Yakimov, 19, posted 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 33 games this season with Nizhnekamsk in the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League. He also spent time with the Reaktor Nizhnelamsk junior team, four goals and two assists in five regular season games. Jorge Polanco Twins Jersey. The six-foot-four, 220-pound centre played for Russia at the 2014 world junior hockey championship, recording two points and four penalty minutes in seven games. Yakimov was selected by Edmonton in the third round, 83rd overall, in the 2013 NHL draft. ' ' '