Whitecaps hope teenager, Davies, can star again in Minnesota
Vancouver seeking road victory after ending losing skid at home
VANCOUVER (CP) — He was still feeling a little sour from a case of food poisoning, but Alphonso Davies offered up some sweet relief for the Vancouver Whitecaps last week. The teenager with the long stride and smooth moves came off the bench in the 67th minute and helped set up an insurance goal with his team playing a man down, as the Whitecaps defeated Real Salt Lake 2-0 to snap a three-game losing streak.
The Whitecaps will probably need more saccharine from Davies and other players in the lineup when they face Minnesota United FC on the road today.
“When I come into the game, I try to do what the coach tells me — try to make an impact on the field,” said Davies, a 17-yearold midfielder.
Born in a refugee camp in Ghana, Davies moved to Canada at age five. He joined the Whitecaps residency in 2015 and earned a spot on Vancouver’s MLS roster in July 2016 as a 15-year-old. He scored his first MLS goal in the Whitecaps’ season-opening win over Montreal.
At 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, Davies has grown physically from when he first joined the team. He’s also become more confident on the field and better understands his role.
“Friday was a perfect example of what he brings to the group and brings to the table in relation to what we are as a team,” said coach Carl Robinson. “Energy off the bench, creating the second goal . . . .
“I think he’s matured, he’s grown physically. You can see his body shape has changed. He’s still a young boy. He’s still got to do his homework. He still does things he shouldn’t do as well, which I make him aware of.” Davies, who grew up in Edmonton, has started seven of Vancouver’s nine games this season. Besides his goal, he’s also collected three assists.
“Sometimes I think I can be better in the final third, putting in quality crosses,” he said. “Going forward, I think I’m happy with my performance, but I think I can be a little bit better.”
The Whitecaps are very protective of Davies. He’s rarely made available for interviews, something Robinson makes no apologies for.
“When you are a young player, everyone wants to build you up, but they build you up to knock you down,” said the former Welsh international. “I protect him for his own good, for the club’s good.
“There is a time for interviews and a time for media, but he needs to do his talking on the pitch. I think he’s doing that this year.”
The Whitecaps (4-4-1) head into the weekend sitting third in the MLS Western Conference with 13 points.
Minnesota (3-5-0) has nine points and is seventh in the conference — just one point out of a playoff position.
Scoring goals and discipline have both been issues for Vancouver. The Whitecaps have managed 10 goals this season, one less than Minnesota, but have been held scoreless in three games.
In nine games this year, the Whitecaps have had four players ejected, including two in a 6-0 loss to Kansas City two weeks ago.
Minnesota recovered from an early deficit to defeat Houston 2-1 last week to end a four-game losing streak.
“Hopefully it gives us something to build on,” head coach Adrian Heath said after the match. “Sometimes you get your rewards at different times.”