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VANCOUVER -- When Andy OBrien went down with a hamstring injury in Seattle, he did not expect to miss much time. But the recovery took two months. "Its certainly been a bit longer than I wanted it to," said OBrien. "As the weeks went by, I stopped putting a target on what game I would be actually back for." OBrien, who felt like the had been "shot in the leg" when hurt in early June, is expected to make his return to the Vancouver lineup Saturday when the Whitecaps host the San Jose Earthquakes. The 34-year-old Harrogate, England native has missed nine games after he expected to miss just one. "Its good now being able to talk to you about, maybe, being available for the first team," said OBrien following a practice Friday. OBriens return is timely because fellow central defender Brad Rusin is slated to miss the game with an ankle injury. Rusin, injured last weekend in a 1-1 tie at Portland, is out for the third time this season. The 26-year-old Crown Point, Ind., natives absence adds to the ongoing woes of a back line that has battled injuries all season long. OBrien, who signed a one-year contract extension this week, appears unlikely to start. But he could see some minutes off the bench as he eases his way back into action while the Whitecaps prepare for the stretch drive of the season. "Hes been out for longer than we thought, and hes a very important player for us," said Vancouver coach Martin Rennie. "He brings a lot of experience and leadership, so its nice to have him back." Prior to joining the Whitecaps, OBrien, who has overcome a public battle with depression, made nearly 500 appearances with English clubs including Premier League sides Bradford, Newcastle, Portsmouth and Bolton. The dual British-Irish citizen also played in the UEFA Champions League with Newcastle United and was a member of the Republic of Irelands 2002 FIFA World Cup squad. He will provide a calming presence to a club that has seen its string of success start to unravel lately. The Whitecaps have only one point -- from the key draw against Portland -- in the last three games after going unbeaten in six. Heading into this weekends play, the Whitecaps (9-7-6) sit tied for fourth place in the Western Conference but the Earthquakes (8-9-6) can pull even with Vancouver with a victory. Despite their low position, the Earthquakes are not languishing. San Jose has won three games in a row, posting two clean sheets in the process, and finds itself only three points back of the Whitecaps. The Earthquakes have turned their season around since Vancouver native Mark Watson, a former Canadian national team player with 78 international caps, was appointed interim coach. Watson was elevated from his assistants post, a position he has also held with Canadas national mens team. He replaced former coach Frank Yallop, another Vancouverite and former Canadian coach, who parted ways with San Jose in June. Rennie is not putting emphasis on the games significance in the standings. "Looking at the table isnt that important," said Rennie. "Whats really important is how we play and how we go about our job. a You could win three in a row and still be in the same position if other teams win." Meanwhile, Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted will make his second consecutive start after seeing his first action with the club last weekend in Portland. "Im looking forward to coming into B.C. Place and meeting the fans and having my first home game," he said. Ousted, a former Danish Superliga star who signed with the Whitecaps in late June, will be counted on to help the Whitecaps maintain their strong record at home, where they are 7-1-3 this season. One opponent who could test him is striker Chris Wondolowski, who has seven goals in six career games against the Whitecaps. Wondolowski, the leagues most valuable player in 2012, scored two goals for San Jose last week against Chivas USA after missing a month while he was away playing for the American side that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 31-year-old Danville, Calif., native led the U.S. with five goals. While he attempts to maintain his good form, Ousted hopes a strong home effort will help him earn more starts. "Its important to get into a run of games and get in there and be comfortable with the back four and with the team," said the 28-year-old native of Greve, Denmark. "Its been good for me getting to know the guys, and I hope to play a lot of games from now on." Notes: Whitecaps midfielder Jun Marques Davidson is eligible to return after serving a one-game suspension for head-butting a Philadelphia player July 27, while fellow Caps midfielder Gershon Koffie will return after serving a one-game ban for yellow-card accumulation. a Vancouvers Nigel Reo-Coker and San Joses Steven Lenhart face an automatic one-game suspension for their next yellow cards. a Vancouvers Darren Mattocks continues to recuperate from arthroscopic knee surgery, but has yet to resume training with the team. Fellow striker Kenny Miller will return after missing last weekends game with a groin injury. ... San Jose defender Ty Harden (hip) and Peter McGlynn (undisclosed) are out with injuries. Fake Shoes Australia . The International Olympic Committee released the official list of bid cities on Friday after the deadline for applications had passed. The candidates -- all previously announced in their own countries -- are: Almaty, Kazakhstan; Beijing; Krakow, Poland; Lviv, Ukraine; Oslo, Norway; and Stockholm. Wholesale Shoes Australia . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost. https://www.shoesaustraliaonline.com/ . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Shoes Australia From China . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cheap Shoes Australia Free Shipping . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. What a start to the college football season.Kickoff Week had a little bit of everything, and thats before Monday nights Ole Miss-Florida State game (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). The wild first weekend inevitably led to all sorts of immediate decisions about the 2016 season.How many of these first-week verdicts are backed up by the numbers? With the help of some of ESPNs analytics tools, lets break down three of the most scorching hot takes you might be hearing about over the course of this week.ddddddddddddThe hot take roll call for this week includes Houstons playoff chances, the gloom and doom around the Big 12 and the SECs opening weekend stumbles. ' ' '