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The young guns are firing in Vancouver! Darren Mattocks grabbed the headlines with two goals in the Whitecaps 3-1 win over Houston on Sunday, but Gershon Koffie was also extremely influential. Colin Kaepernick Youth Jersey . Playing the first of three matches in a row at BC Place, the Whitecaps knew the importance of making home advantage count, and they had the perfect start to settle the nerves when Mattocks got on the end of a beautiful cross from veteran YP Lee just three minutes in. After a grueling month of May, it was good to see the Caps look re-energized following their two-week break, and they made no mistake in taking advantage of a weakened Houston side. Mattocks qualities are well known. Even before he was drafted, it was predicted his speed would cause major problems for defences in Major League Soccer. That has certainly been the case, but he is also proving he has the ability to finish chances, and that he possesses the sort of strikers instinct that cant be taught. After the start to his pro career was derailed by a nasty injury sustained while cooking, Mattocks worked his way back into contention and is now making it hard for Head Coach Martin Rennie to leave him out of the team with more experienced forwards such as Eric Hassli and Camilo left on the bench. On his first MLS start against Seattle, Mattocks squandered four clear cut chances, but he didnt let that get him down. The 21-year-old responded by scoring his first MLS goal to earn the Whitecaps a point on the road at Portland before the break, and showed composure way beyond his years to power his team to a win over the Dynamo. He now has three goals from just five appearances of which only two were starts. Mattocks is a very good athlete, but Rennie has also been pleased with his attitude. It says a lot about the development of his character that he was able to respond in such a positive manner after finding himself in hospital recovering from burns. In a strange way, it might actually have helped him focus. Sundays win wasnt just about Mattocks. In a solid team display, Koffie was another youngster who shone. His ball through for Mattocks second goal was one of the highlights of the match. The Ghanaian curled the pass off the outside of his boot straight into the path of the forward. Mattocks did the rest, but Koffies vision and execution was superb. Koffies display was evidence of the value he can bring to the team. At 20 years old he still has much development ahead of him, but on Sunday night he was able to influence the game in midfield and help create a link between the defence and attack. Last season, Koffie also produced a similar performance against Houston. His display against the Dynamo in Vancouvers 1-0 win at Empire Field last August was arguably his best of the season. There are interesting decisions ahead for Rennie with the looming arrival of Designated Player Barry Robson. The versatility of Robson allows Rennie to use him in a few different positions across the midfield or as an attacker, playing centrally or wide. It has been a juggling act already this season as the Caps coach has rotated through his attacking options, but Robsons arrival will also give him the ability to change things up in the midfield as well. However, Rennie will be pleased to see the midfielders already at the club making their mark on matches. What we saw from the Whitecaps in their win against Houston is further evidence of their ability to challenge for a playoff place this year. Vancouver Whitecaps against New York Red Bulls is live on MLS on TSN on Wednesday, June 20 at 11pm et/8pm pt. Jerry Rice Jersey . The commissioners office announced the penalties on Thursday. St. Louis first baseman Alan Ahmady was suspended after a second violation for a drug of abuse. Michael Crabtree Womens Jersey . Wroten spent the 2011 regular season with the Toronto Argonauts. In 18 games he had 35 defensive tackles, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble, and two interceptions for 24 yards. http://www.the49ersfans.com/aldon-smith-jersey . -- Vernon Wells would be thrilled to have a more regular role down the stretch as the Los Angeles Angels chase a playoff spot they believe is still right within reach. Ted Ginn Jersey . The Portuguese, however, almost let victory escape their grasp as Cristiano Ronaldo squandered two chances that could have put the result beyond doubt in another miserable international game. Colin Kaepernick Pink Jersey . Joe Blanton pitched effectively into the eighth inning for his first win with Los Angeles and A.J. Ellis hit his first career grand slam in a 10-8 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.WIMBLEDON, England - It was a tough day for the Canadians at Wimbledon on Friday as Milos Raonic lost his second-round singles match and Daniel Nestor was upset in doubles play. Raonic dropped a 6-7 (3), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (8), 6-4 decision to American Sam Querrey. The match was suspended a day earlier because of darkness with the score tied at one set each and 3-3 in the third. Nestor and Max Mirnyi of Belarus fell in the second round at the All England Club for the second straight year. Italys Daniele Bracciale and Julien Knowle of Austria upset the top-seeded duo 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Nestor and Mirnyi lost to Knowle and South African Kevin Anderson last year. Raonic, the No. 21 seed, fired 25 aces but converted only one of five break-point opportunities. "Yesterday was tough but I thought today I could improve a lot of things," said Raonic. "But I just didnt do it. I shanked a lot of balls and missed a lot. "Its frustrating, I only stepped up when I was down and he was serving for it. I had two set points in both of the tiebreaks I lost. I was just hoping for him to make errors." Querrey, who had 21 aces, won the critical third set in a tiebreaker. Raonic, who came back after dropping the first four points, later saved three set points but missed on one of his own with a backhand error. Raonic lost the set as his chip volley at the net sailed long. Querrey began the fourth set with a break of the frustrated Canadian, with Raonic saving a pair of match points in the last game before Querrey ended the match with an ace. Querrey, a former top-20 player, is currently ranked No. 64 in the world. Hes mounting a comeback after undergoing right elbow surgery a year ago. "Usually Im pretty calm and collected after a win or loss, but, yeah, kind of let it out there a little bit at the end. It just felt good," said Querrey. Patrick Willis Game Jersey. "I was out for a while, and I feel like Im coming back. Ranking is moving up," he added. "Just nice to be in the third round of a Slam again." He advanced into the third round at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2010 U.S. Open. "I have to learn to win more playing poorly," said Raonic. "I had the chance to win while not playing well. "At a Grand Slam with seven matches in two weeks you will play poorly in at least one. I have to learn to get through those. I played poorly yesterday and knew what I needed to do to get better. "Today I played worse. Thats not a motivating feeling." Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., was also eliminated in the second round last year at the All England Club. He was forced to retire from his match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg after slipping on the grass as he chased a shot. Raonic later underwent hip surgery and was out of action for several weeks. Nestor and Mirnyi, meanwhile, never found their rhythm against Knowle and Bracciale. The top seeds were broken once per set in a match that last just under two hours. "They were pretty good, just better in most aspects," said Nestor. "We had two break points early in the first set and we didnt do anything with them. They returned better, more happened when they were serving. Nestor continued to be puzzled by his lack of success on grass after winning on clay at the French Open three times. "It bothers me, I dont understand how I can win the French on a surface I didnt grow up on. I didnt grow up on grass either but it should suit my game," he said. Nestor will now focus on the mixed doubles draw. Nestor and Germanys Julia Goerges are seeded eighth. -- With files from the Associated Press. ' ' '