MONTMELO, Spain -- Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso is telling his local fans to keep their expectations low for this Sundays Spanish Grand Prix. The two-time former Formula One champion downplayed his third-place finish three weeks ago in China and said progress is going slow for Ferrari as it tries to make up ground on Mercedes. "If I say we will fight for the podium I will probably be lying to you, and I dont want to disappoint our fans," Alonso said on Thursday, a day before practice begins at the seasons first event in Europe. Alonso sits third in the standings with 41 points after Mercedes pair Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton swept the first four races of the season. Rosberg leads the standings with 79 points with Hamilton four points behind. Ferraris last win came at Montmelo one year ago when Alonso got his second career victory on the circuit. Since then, it is on its longest streak without a victory in almost two decades after Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel dominated the end of last season before Mercedes took the lead this year. Alonso has yet to crack the top three spots in qualifying so far in 2014, while Kimi Raikkonen has fared even worse in his return to the team that he won the world title with in 2007. The Finn hasnt finished in the top six spots in any race, and has also lacked speed in qualifying. "We finished ninth and 10th in Bahrain and did podium in China because we had some things (come) together on that Sunday, but it is not that we are in a position to say we will fight for the podium here," Alonso said. "Barcelona is a good point to check how competitive we are." Alonso said Ferraris upgrade package is "nothing out of the world" and that the biggest advantage he will have is his knowledge of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with its single straightaway, which he hoped would reduce Mercedes ability to leverage its better overall speed. The race will be Ferraris second under new team principal Marco Mattiacci after he replaced Stefano Domenicali. Mattiacci, a former president of Ferrari North America but with no experience in F1, arrived to Shanghai in time to watch Alonso steer to a third-place finish. Alonso said Mattiacci was meeting with everyone on the team-- from drivers to engineers and crew members-- but needed time to learn the sport before he put his stamp on the Italian team. "At the moment everything is more or less the same," Alonso said. "Everything is calm, no big changes. In China, Marco arrived with little experience in motor racing and lots of experience on the management side, but he is listening and learning as much as he can. I dont think Marco wants to become an engineer, but he will need some time to settle down and make some decisions. "It is a good thing for Ferrari to move forward and past some historical mistakes." wholesale jerseys china . Berkman almost left the game last off-season before signing with the Texas Rangers. He then had another injury-plagued season and was limited to 73 games. cheap jerseys from china . At this point, even he isnt sure when it is going to stop. The right-hander dropped his fourth straight decision in Los Angeles 6-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, leaving his status very much in doubt as the Dodgers prepare for the stretch drive. https://www.chinajerseysreplica.us/. 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While he hasnt had any complaints about the Whitecaps effort, Robinson will be looking for another gear when defending-champion Sporting Kansas City visits B.C. Place Stadium on Sunday. Watch the game on TSN starting at 8pm et/5pm pt. "I think thats a daily thing. I think youve always got to give more," said the Welshman. "The day you think that youve done it or you stop giving more will be in the day that youre in the wrong sport. Well continue to work hard, whatever the results." The Whitecaps rocketed out of the gate to start the season thanks to an attack-minded and free-flowing system that had them scoring plenty of goals. But for all the good vibes early on, the last two months have seen Vancouver (6-4-11) pick up just a single victory to go along with four straight ties, including an dreary 0-0 road draw against the Chicago Fire on July 30. "Were very close to turning those draws into wins, but also were very close to having them taken away from us and (turned) into losses," said Robinson. "Were not getting carried away, were not losing many games, but I want to win more games." The Whitecaps were tied for the fewest losses in MLS heading into the weekend, but their 11 draws include games they really shouldve won going away if even one of a number of golden opportunities had been converted. "Weve missed chances, and in football its all about taking your chances. Thats why the big guys are paid the big bucks, because theyre able to take those chances," said Robinson. "Weve got ourselves in good positions but we havent been able to take them. Well continue to work at it. "Hopefully we can maybe get one in off a backside that might help us get flowing again." The killer instinct Vancouver showed early in the season has dried up since the beginning of June with just six goals in the last eight games — including a 30-shot performance in a 2-2 draw against FC Dallas on July 27 — and is in direct correlation with the clubs current 1-2-6 run. "When weve had the other team by the neck and playing well and creating a lot of chances, we need to put the games away scoring those goals," said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. "Thhats whats going to kill the other teams.dddddddddddd "I feel like our offensive play has been brilliant at times and when were playing like that we definitely need to put the chances away so we capitalize on our good periods." At the other end of the pitch, the Whitecaps have struggled to keep the ball out of their net at times thanks in large part to mental lapses at key moments. "I think weve been giving up some goals here and there that are our fault," said defender Jordan Harvey. "Once we clean that up I think well get the three points because weve been creating a lot of chances at home and playing really well. "We are a little frustrated with all the ties." Kansas City (11-5-6) entered the weekend tops in the Eastern Conference and has not lost in MLS play since May 31, a stretch of eight games (6-0-2). Sporting had four players take part in Wednesdays MLS all-star game against German powerhouse Bayern Munich, including defenders Aurelien Collin and Matt Besler, midfielder Graham Zusi and striker Dom Dwyer, who has 14 goals this season. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, didnt have any of their players involved in the showcase game in Portland, Ore., which seemed to suit them just fine as they look to pick up three points for the first time since a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on July 5. "Weve had a lot of draws, too many draws for my liking, and not enough wins," said Robinson. "It shows how close we are, but we just cant get over that line. Sundays a big game for us." Hes hopeful a good result in that big game will also give the Whitecaps the confidence moving forward as they look to climb back up the standings "Its a good test for this young group," Robinson said. "I think if we can give them a good game and show what were capable of — like we have most home games this year — were in with a chance. "If we do that do that hopefully we get better luck and get a victory." Notes: The Whitecaps bolstered their backline Friday by officially announcing the signing of defender Kendall Waston. The six-foot-five centre back joins Vancouver from Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa. ... Kansas City has won five straight road games, and a sixth Sunday would tie the club with the 2005 San Jose Earthquakes for most consecutive away wins in MLS history during the non-shootout era (2000-present). ... The Whitecaps next game is Aug. 16 at Chivas USA, while Kansas City hosts Toronto FC the same day. ' ' '