VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps have developed a habit of giving up second-half goals, and outspoken midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker wants the emerging trend to end as soon as possible. "Weve got to tighten up defensively," he said. "Weve been conceding goals and giving away cheap and easy goals. You cant do it at this level. Youre going to get punished." The Whitecaps (4-5-4) will try to kick the habit as they host the New England Revolution on Saturday. The Seattle Sounders overcame a 2-1 deficit to beat the Whitecaps 3-2 last weekend. The loss was compounded by a hamstring injury to top central defender Andy OBrien, who will miss the game against the Revs (5-4-5). The Whitecaps were leading in Seattle when OBrien left, but could not maintain the advantage with a makeshift back line. However, the Whitecaps were squandering leads in the second half even with him in the lineup. Vancouver had to settle for draws in a league game against Portland and the second leg of the Canadian championship final against the Montreal Impact. Both ties occurred on the home turf at B.C. Place stadium -- a cause for concern as the Whitecaps prepare to meet a New England team that is unbeaten in six games, including U.S. Open Cup play. The Revs have scored nine goals in their past two games, and allowed a league-low nine goals in MLS contests. Injuries on Vancouvers back line threaten to produce more second-half breakdowns. Carlyle Mitchell, recalled from lower-tier FC Edmonton, will replace OBrien and Johnny Leveron will continue to play the other centre back spot in place of captain Jay DeMerit, who has missed most of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Reo-Coker, a former English Premier League star who joined the team in pre-season, said the Caps have to mature quickly. "Its a learning curve," he said. "Some teams go through these little periods. Its about learning from the mistakes. "Weve got quite a few new players here (from last season.) Weve got some young players here. But weve got enough experienced players to make sure those mistakes dont happen." He called on players to take on more responsibility and communicate better on the pitch as the Whitecaps attempt to finish in the top five in the Western Conference and earn a playoff berth. Coach Martin Rennie is concerned that the club is giving up goals in the second half, but noted it is not surrendering late markers like it did during a stretch last season. Generally, he likes the way the team has been finishing games. The Whitecaps have also displayed more finish around the net lately, producing eight goals in their past four games, including league and Canadian championship play. If not for some close misses, the Caps could have had several more goals. Rennie hopes the trio of Brazilian Camilo, Scottish international Kenny Miller and Russell Teibert of Niagara Falls, Ont., will continue to develop the chemistry that they have displayed lately. After struggling to maintain a lineup spot earlier in the season, Camilo now leads the team in scoring. He accounted for all of Vancouvers scoring in Seattle and has four goals and an assist in the past four games, including Canadian championship play. Miller, who has missed most of the season with a hamstring injury, has three goals in the five league games in which he has played. Teibert has been on a tear since scoring his first two MLS goals in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 11. The Canadian midfielder, used in a much more attacking role of late, has three assists in the past two games. Factoring in his two goals, he has generated five points in the last four contests. "Its an exciting combination and its only just starting to take root," said Rennie of the trio. Miller said he, Camilo and Teibert are "a work in progress" and can only improve over time. They can also play a role defensively by pressuring the opposition defenders and giving them less time to see the field and move the ball. But the whole team needs to get "in sync." Once the necessary cohesion is achieved, it will become "an art." In the meantime, Reo-Coker is calling on a young players like Mitchell to help make up for OBriens absence and limit opposition scoring chances. "The responsibility is on them to show that they want to be here -- and they want to play," said Reo-Coker. Notes: Striker Darren Mattocks has rejoined the Whitecaps following international duty with the Jamaican national team. He will be in the squad Saturday, but appears unlikely to start. ... Leveron has been added to the Honduran national team roster for a World Cup qualifier against the U.S. in Salt Lake City on Tuesday. He will return in time for Wednesdays home game against Chivas USA. 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His moves pushed the Indians deeper into October.The bubble gum-chomping, drought-busting motivator is Clevelands MVP.Whether masterfully maneuvering his bullpen in Game 1, playing a hunch with his lineup in Game 2, using platoon players or daring to pitch to slugger David Ortiz in Game 3 as Boston fans roared, Francona had the perfect touch as the Indians won three straight and advanced to face Toronto in the AL Championship Series.Francona, affectionately known as Tito -- his dads name -- refused to take credit and turned the attention on his players.Ive done it before, said Francona, who led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and `07. You know what, what it meant to me is to celebrate with the Indians and our crew. I dont care where it is. I respect that we beat a heck of a team, but to celebrate with our guys, thats what was meaningful for me.The Indians have been defying odds -- and baseball logic -- for months. Despite a slew of injuries to key players, losing two starting pitchers for the postseason, and being given little chance to win the AL Central, they overpowered Detroit and Kansas City before dismissing the Red Sox, who led the majors in scoring but managed just seven runs in the playoffs.The obstacles have only empowered the Indians. Francona made sure they were never knocked off track. He did more than manage games, massaging egos and making everyone believe.Its extraordinary, Indians president Chris Antonetti said. Hes a master at it. He really understands people. He builds relationships. He creates connections. He communicates extraordinarily well. He has the right balance of providing a professional and prepared group, but also having fun. If there is anybody better, Im not sure Ive been around him.His rotation close to shambles, Francona understood the importance of winning the opener against Boston.After Trevvor Bauer, who began the season in the bullpen, got him into the fifth inning, Francona brought in tall left-hander Andrew Miller -- normally used in the seventh and eighth -- and Clevelands relievers closed out the 5-4 win.ddddddddddddDespite Boston lefty David Price being on the mound in Game 2, Francona went against the book and started left-handed hitter Lonnie Chisenall, who batted just .217 against lefties during the regular season. Chisenhall was in more for his defense but hit a three-run homer -- his first off a lefty all year -- in the second inning of Clevelands 6-0 win in Game 2.Sometimes, Francona said afterward, good players make you look smarter than you probably are.He trusted his gut after Game 3 was postponed a day, sticking with Josh Tomlin as his starter. The right-hander, who had nearly a 12.00 ERA in August and was briefly bumped from the rotation, held the Red Sox to one run through five innings. Francona sent him back out in the sixth before again turning to Miller, who gave up a sacrifice fly to Ortiz and then struck out Hanley Ramirez with runner at second.Everything Francona did in the series worked, including a moment that almost backfired before Game 1.As he shook hands with Red Sox manager John Farrell, Francona took a wad of gum from his mouth and tossed it at Dustin Pedroia, one of his favorite players. Pedroia grabbed and swatted it to the ground, much to Franconas relief.Thank God he caught that, Francona said with a laugh. It was going to hit Hanley right in the face, and I dont know Hanley that well.The playful gesture toward Pedroia is typical of Francona, who develops a deep trust inside the clubhouse with how he treats players. Hes firm but fair and he prides himself on keeping his door open. A few weeks ago, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Billy Donovan visited the Indians and when he walked by the managers office, Francona was playing cards with Tomlin.That was the day we took him out of the rotation, Francona said. I was explaining that to Billy. I said, `Two hours earlier we had taken him out of the rotation, and he was back there playing cribbage with me. That to me, shows that we can get through anything.And if Francona keeps playing his cards right, the Indians can go anywhere. ' ' '