VANCOUVER -- Despite having not scored in nearly seven hours of play, the Vancouver Whitecaps remain confident their sputtering offence will eventually get back in gear. Amani Hooker Titans Jersey . They really dont have any other choice. The Whitecaps head into Wednesdays home game against the San Jose Earthquakes without a goal in 411 minutes, a stretch of more than 4 1/2 games. Darren Mattocks was the last man to score for Vancouver, bagging the clubs second in the first half of a 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 10. Kekuta Manneh hasnt scored since May 3, while the once red-hot Erik Hurtado has failed to find the mark since June 7. Sebastian Fernandez -- who can play in midfield or as a striker -- started Saturdays 0-0 draw at B.C. Place Stadium against D.C. United alongside Mattocks, but was largely ineffective in his 68 minutes. In the midst of a 1-3-6 slide and with just two wins in a 14-game stretch that has seen Vancouver (7-6-13) tumble down Major League Soccers Western Conference standings, the Whitecaps know their youthful strikers need to start burying chances -- and fast. "They can score. I think theyve demonstrated this season of what they can do," said veteran defender Andy OBrien. "Its there. They can do it. Its just a matter of it coming, and hopefully it will come sooner rather than later. "Its important we stick together as a team. We can create chances, we can score goals. Weve demonstrated that this season and now is the crunch time where things need to come together." The Whitecaps were filling the net early in the season -- including a 3-2 victory over San Jose -- but have had to settle for a total of 13 ties, including five scoreless draws. "I think you have seen that (the strikers) are definitely good enough. I think the only thing we need to work on as a whole ... is just be more consistent," said defender Jordan Harvey. "Everybody has the talent -- youve seen it in years prior and this year, its just about somebody stepping up." Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson has remained steadfast in his support of the beleaguered forwards, at least in public, but added they might be trying too hard at times to break the goose egg. Case in point from Saturday was Mattocks missing two great chances to score in the first half against D.C. "Top strikers in this league know how to keep a calm head and a cool head in front of goal," said Robinson. "I think sometimes when you havent scored in four games, you snatch at things and maybe you balloon it over the bar or you drag it wide, and thats whats happening at the moment." The Welshman said the failure in the final third falls to everyone, not just the men up front, on a Whitecaps team that was booed off the field by some fans last time out. "Can they do better? Yes. Can I do better? Yes. Two wins in fourteen games for us is not good enough," said Robinson. "We all need to be better, me included. Im in charge of these players and if theyre not doing it then Ive got to take responsibility for it, and I will." The Whitecaps endured similar summer slumps in their first two MLS seasons, and goalkeeper David Ousted said that while no one has come out and vented to the media, that doesnt mean there isnt frustration in the locker-room. "I think everybodys disappointed. If theyre not disappointed I dont think they should be here," said Ousted. "I definitely think that you feel in the squad that were disappointed not getting the wins, but its also about putting things in perspective and having a positive mind." Vancouver currently sits one point back of the Portland Timbers for the fifth and final playoff spot in the West, while San Jose (6-10-9) is seven back of the Whitecaps heading into Wednesday. Vancouver has eight games remaining, while Portland has seven. OBrien said all of the players -- especially the young strikers -- are aware of whats at stake for a team that has been shut out in five of its last six games. "There has been a stage where lads have been coddled, and theres been a stage where lads have been told," he said. "In recent weeks, lads have been told what is expected of them. (But) its not being aired out in public, which I think is a good thing." Whitecaps midfielder Mauro Rosales, who has been one of the most energetic players on the pitch since arriving in a trade with Chivas USA last month, said the lack of goals is not due to a lack of effort. "This team has been working very hard to get the results, get the points and be the better team," he said. "Sometimes the things dont go in your favour and you have to accept it, but (also) keep working and keep moving forward. "We have to step up and finish the plays earlier. Not try to create the best goal -- just score." Robinson said tough times show the character of a club, and this period for the Whitecaps is no different. "You learn a lot more about your players now when youre getting thrown to the wolves maybe sometimes then you do when youre winning games of football," he said. "At the start of the year, I knew there was a lot of work that we needed to do and it wasnt going to happen over night for us, and it doesnt change now." San Jose comes into Wednesday having not won since Aug. 2 -- a stretch of 0-2-4 -- but tied Portland 3-3 on Sunday night in a game the Earthquakes led 2-0 and 3-2 thanks to a pair of goals from Chris Wondolowski, who now has 12 on the season. "Theyre definitely in the mix (for the playoffs)," said Robinson. "Anyones whos writing them off are pretty naive, to be honest. "Theres a number of points to play for and theyre a very good team." Notes: Mattocks was supposed to meet up with the Jamaican national team for Tuesdays friendly against Canada in Toronto, but he picked up an ankle injury on Saturday. Robinson said his status remains uncertain for Wednesday. ... Whitecaps defender Steven Beitashour missed out against D.C. because of a hip injury and its also unclear if he will play against San Jose. ... Vancouvers next game is away at FC Dallas on Saturday, before a key game at Portland on Sept. 20. Marcus Mariota Womens Jersey .C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes have activated defenceman Joni Pitkanen from injured reserve. Kevin Byard Womens Jersey . Wade is posting a short film on his website next week, with a sneak preview scheduled to come out Wednesday. http://www.authentictitanspro.com/Corey-davis-titans-jersey/ .C. - NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick headlines this years electees into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.England have qualified comfortably for the 2017 Under-21 European Championship in Poland following their 1-0 win in Kazakhstan on Thursday. Aidy Boothroyd got the young stars over the line after Gareth Southgate stepped up for senior duty, securing top spot in Group 9 with a game to spare.Here, we look at the main contributors to a successful qualification campaign, and why the future looks bright for England… Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ?￡6.99. No contract. Jordan Pickford - Goalkeeper - Sunderland - 22Englands first-choice goalkeeper at Under-21 level made his debut for Sunderland in the FA Cup last January, and has made five starts for the Black Cats this term.He was linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer by The Sun, and has conceded just two goals in his five appearances in Euro Qualifying.Calum Chambers - Defender - Arsenal (on loan at Middlesbrough) - 21Chambers has been a mainstay in the Under-21s defence throughout the campaign, but is yet to add to his three senior caps picked up in 2014. Matt Targett, Matt Grimes, Calum Chambers and John Swift of England pose with the Toulon trophy in the summer His loan move to Boro in the summer has allowed him more game time, however, and we could be seeing the former Southampton man in the full England squad in years to come.Matt Targett - Defender - Southampton - 21Another youngster to come through Southamptons academy, Targett made 20 appearances for Ronald Koemans side last season.He picked up Southamptons Young Player of the Season award for 2014/15, but the queue ahead of him for senior duty is long, with Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand, Kieran Gibbs and Luke Shaw all ahead of him at present.Dominic Iorfa - Defender - Wolves - 21The 21-year-old is a regular in the Championship for Wolves, and has also established himself as first-choice right-back for the Under-21s. Dominic Iorfa has impressed for Wolves this season Remarkably well-built for his age at 6ft 2in, the pacy full-back can also get forward, and was linked with a move to West Ham in the summer.Nathan Chalobah - Defender/Midfielder - Chelsea - 21A regular at centre-back for the Under-21s, Chalobah has enjoyed successful loan spells in the Championship in midfield with Watford and Middlesbrough.He spent 2015/16 on loan at Napoli but struggled to break into the side, and having dotted around clubs in previous seasons, is part of Contes first team at the Blues, making two appearances so far this term.James Ward-Prowse - Midfielder - Southampton - 21Ward-Prowse was the first England Under-21 captain to lift the Toulon trophy since Jamie Redknapp in 1994, and scored in the vital wins against Norway and Switzerland earlier in the campaign. James Ward-Prowse has 25 caps for England Under-21s The Saints midfielder has won 25 caps for the young lions and has already made more than 100 appearances for SouthamptonRuben Loftus-Cheek - Midfielder - Chelsea - 20The Chelsea youngster is one of the most hotly-tipped players in the country, and scored the decisive goal in the Toulon Tournament final as England beat France 2-1 before picking up the Player of the Tournament award.Loftus-Cheek has played in all of Englands qualifiers, scoring twice in the process, and was given 17 appearances for Chelseas first team last season. Steve McNair Titans Jersey. This term, however, he has played only twice, and is yet to make a Premier League appearance under Antonio Conte.Demarai Gray - Midfielder - Leicester - 20 Gray has played for England throughout the youth stages, and made his Under-21 debut in March against Switzerland. Demarai Gray is still attempting to force his way into Claudio Ranieris starting XI His move to Leicester last January thrust him into the spotlight after growing up at Birmingham City, but he faces stiff competition from Marc Albrighton for the left-wing berth at the King Power.Grays superb performance on Thursday against Kazakhstan helped England qualify for Poland, scoring the only goal of the game. Lewis Baker - Midfielder - Chelsea - 21The Chelsea youngster was the top scorer for England in Toulon, netting four times during the tournament and opening the scoring in the final.He is currently on loan at Vitesse in the Eredivisie, and has netted five times in nine appearances already this season.Chuba Akpom - Striker - Arsenal - 20Currently out injured with a back complaint, the Arsenal forward contributed three goals to Englands qualification campaign. Chuba Akpom has three goals in the qualifying campaign Akpom is still eligible to play for Nigeria, however, and it was reported in May that he had been formally approached by the national team.Marcus Rashford - Striker - Manchester United - 18The Manchester United star scored a hat-trick in his one and only Under-21 appearance against Norway last month, and is now fighting for a place in Southgates senior squad ahead of their clashes against Malta and Slovenia.Rashford can of course still appear for the Under-21s in Poland next summer, and team-mate Loftus-Cheek said this week: Im sure he would want to (come into the squad for tournament); its a massive tournament.If he got the chance to play, hed love to play in it and wed love to have him. Marcus Rashford scored a hat-trick in his one and only Under-21 appearance Nathan Redmond - Striker - Southampton - 22Redmond was Norwichs second-highest goalscorer last season as they were relegated from the Premier League, netting six times despite not always being a regular starter for Alex Neils side.He earned an £11m move to Southampton in the summer, and has been deployed as a centre-forward by Claude Puel, playing every Premier League minute so far.Best of the rest...Chelsea forward Dominic Solanke and Bournemouth midfielder Jordon Ibe have played their part in the qualifying campaign, along with Sunderland hopeful Duncan Watmore, promising Wolves defender Kourtney Hause and another Chelsea midfielder in John Swift, who impressed at Brentford last season.Brendan Galloway, Rob Holding and Mason Holgate also played a small part in the qualification campaign, each keeping a clean sheet in defence in the decisive win over Kazakhstan.The Under-21s can also thank senior stars Dele Alli and Eric Dier, who appeared in the early stages of the qualification campaign, before their promotion to the first team in late 2015.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. 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