VANCOUVER -- The biggest knock against Gershon Koffie with the Vancouver Whitecaps has been his consistency. Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey . An imposing presence in midfield, the Ghanaian would be the best player on the pitch one game and virtually invisible the next. After starting the 2014 campaign on the bench, Koffie has finally begun to live up to expectations on a daily basis, and both he and the Whitecaps have one of the teams new acquisitions at least partly to thank. Toronto FC dealt Matias Laba to Vancouver right before the start of the season and the Argentine midfielder has slotted seamlessly into the centre of rookie head coach Carl Robinsons formation. The workhorse not only cleans up danger in front of the Whitecaps defence, he also allows Vancouvers attacking players to push forward -- with Koffie being one of the main beneficiaries thus far. The 22-year-old scored from 40 yards out after pouncing on a goalkeeping error in last weekends 2-2 draw with the Seattle Sounders, and had three other clear-cut chances, including a shot that rattled the crossbar in the games opening minutes. "Gersh has got incredible attributes. Hes got the physical strength. When he makes a tackle and he means it, no ones going to beat him. Hes really that powerful," Whitecaps assistant coach Martyn Pert said Thursday. "The consistency part of the game is still something that hes got to really work hard at, and hes getting there, thats four or five games on the spin now hes been very good. "Hes got to keep it going, keep the foot on the pedal and keep driving." Robinson favoured Nigel Reo-Coker in the centre of midfield at the start of the season, but after the Englishman was injured in an off-field incident the Whitecaps turned to Koffie. "I dont think I was disappointed to be on the bench, but that motivated me," said Koffie, whose goal against Seattle was his first of the season. "I have to embrace it because my fellow mates were doing well and it was a coachs decision." Koffie -- who has already played 93 games in his Major League Soccer career -- said Robinson has asked him to go forward more in his attack-minded system, and credits Laba with allowing him that freedom to roam. "Playing with Matias Laba gives me the license to go forward and get some chances," said Koffie. "I know hes there to work the defensive part and delay (opponents) before we can get back in (formation)." Labas tenacity has also rubbed off on his midfield counterpart, who tracked back on more than one occasion against Seattle to help out Vancouvers back line. "(Labas) a guy who sets the tone," said Koffie. "If you play next to him, he goes in for tackles (and) you have to do the same. If he goes in chasing the ball, you have to do the same, because you cant let him do the job (alone)." Also just 22, Laba was a casualty of Toronto FCs winter spending spree, with the club unable to retain the designated player it acquired last season. "I didnt expect it, but I think its for the best," Laba said through an interpreter. "Im very happy in Vancouver with a great coach and teammates." Although he often takes care of the less-glamorous tasks on the field, the Whitecaps have come to appreciate his tireless work. "Mati gives us a great dimension to build off of at the back," said Vancouver captain Jay DeMerit. "He lets the guys that are creative express themselves a little bit more, just by giving you a little bit more of a lockdown defensively." Added the selfless Laba: "Ive always played that way -- win balls, win tackles -- and quickly disperse (passes) so my teammates have more time on the ball." Pert has been in awe at how quickly Laba has adapted to his new surroundings. "Matis been incredible since hes come in and the fact he came in two weeks before the start of the season and every game he just never lets you down," said Pert. "Hes absolutely a top, top player. I couldnt speak highly enough of Mati. "He makes incredible tackles, he gets his foot on the ball, he plays it simple." Because of their youth, Laba and Koffie could be patrolling Vancouvers midfield for some time, and the pair are expected to start alongside each other once again when the Whitecaps (4-2-5) visit the Portland Timbers (3-3-7) on Sunday. "(Koffies) a great player and I think we work really well together," said Laba. "I can win balls and that opens space up for him to go forward and attack more. We compliment each other quite well." Trey Burton Jersey .Boston beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Tuesday night and celebrated consecutive wins for the first time in more than a month. Chase Daniel Jersey . -- Canadian mens rugby coach Kieran Crowley has made four changes to his starting roster for Saturdays Pacific Nations Cup clash against the United States. http://www.authenticfootballshopbears.com/c-96-bears-joel-iyiegbuniwe-jersey.aspx . The 25-year-old native of Milford, Conn., has 18 points in 41 games this season. The five-foot-eight 166-pound centre also has 28 points (10-18) in 15 games with AHL Oklahoma City.HOUSTON - Seattles playoff hopes took another hit, as Jake Marisnick had a three-run homer for the second straight game and Alex Presley drove in two runs to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-3 win over the Mariners on Sunday. Houston took two of three from the Mariners, who entered the day 1/2 game back for the second AL wild card. Rookie Collin McHugh (11-9) allowed four hits and three runs in six innings to extend his career-best winning streak to seven. Hes the first Astros pitcher to win seven straight since Roy Oswalt reeled off nine in a row from Aug. 23, 2006, to April 17, 2007. The Astros trailed 3-1 in the fifth inning before an RBI double by Jose Altuve. A two-run single by Presley, who finished with three hits, came with two outs in the inning to make it 4-3 and chase Hisashi Iwakuma (14-9). Michael Saunders hit a two-run homer for the Mariners, who were outhit 14 to seven. Iwakuma was trying to bounce back from his last two starts where he was 0-2 with a 12.91 ERA. Instead, he allowed six hits and four runs in 4 1-3 innings for yet another loss. Houston was still up by one in the seventh when Marisnick padded the lead with his homer to the Crawford Boxes that made it 7-3. Two of Marisnicks three homers this season have come in the last two games. Altuve, who leads the majors with aa . James Daniels Jersey. 345 average, went 2 for 4 to give him 220 hits this season. Thats the most hits by a second baseman since Charlie Gehringer had 227 in 1936 for the Detroit Tigers. He was lifted from the game with two outs in the top of the ninth inning and received a standing ovation from the crowd in Houstons final home game of the season. Houston rookie first baseman Jon Singleton turned an unassisted double play for the first two outs of the eighth inning. He caught a liner hit by Austin Jackson before tagging Miller at first base for the second out. TRAINERS ROOM Mariners: LF Dustin Ackley, who hit two homers in Fridays 10-5 win, returned to the lineup after missing Saturdays game with an ankle injury. Astros: RHP Josh Fields is day to day with what interim manager Tom Lawless described as a strain. LHP Darin Downs, who felt discomfort in his right oblique in Fridays game, is also day to day. UP NEXT Mariners: Left-hander James Paxton will pitch the opener of a four-game series at Toronto. Paxton, a Canadian wholl be making his first career start against the Blue Jays, is 2-2 with a 2.39 ERA in his last four starts. Astros: Rookie Nick Tropeano will make his third career start when Houston opens a three-game series at Texas. Left-hander Derek Holland will pitch for the Rangers. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '