Gershon Koffie was his aggressive self at training on Tuesday, according to Carl Robinson, and that had the Vancouver Whitecaps coach praising the soft-spoken Ghanaian midfielder.
A regular starter for the first three years of his time in Vancouver, Koffie has only started five times in Major League Soccer competition in 2015, thanks to a knee injury that sidelined him for three games earlier this spring, and a deeper squad at the midfield.
Robinson was asked what he’s told Koffie to keep him motivated in the competition for playing time.
“To do exactly what he did in training today. Get under people’s skin and train aggressively, do simple things and get in the box,” said Robinson.
“When he does that, he’s arguably one of the best midfield players in the league. I think it shows a sign (of) how far the club’s come in relation to the strength of the squad of players we’ve got, because Koffie was a starting player and he still is a starting player. But I’ve got other starting players as well, not just 11, which a lot of squads have.
“I want competition for places if we’re going to be successful in three … competitions. He’s just got to do what he does every day on a more consistent basis and he’ll get playing time.”
Koffie feels he’s now getting back into more of a rhythm. He’s started in three of the last four games, including the two legs of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal with FC Edmonton.
He was guilty of a giveaway that led directly to an Edmonton goal in that first match, but redeemed himself with the equalizer later in the second half of a draw that set the scene for Vancouver’s eventual win in the Alberta capital a week later.
“I mean, I’ve been waiting patiently … just doing my work,” said Koffie, reiterating the message he’s received from Robinson.