Davies is on fire for sizzling Caps
Young midfielder an offensive force as streaking home side rolls over Orlando City
It was a perfect 10, but Carl Robinson wasn’t about to let a perfect player rating go to Alphonso Davies’ head.
The Whitecaps midfielder counted a goal and team-record three assists in his team’s 5-2 win over Orlando City on Saturday, his eye-popping stats adding up to an unheard of 10.00 rating on whoscored. com.
“I’ve challenged him a couple of times to start games better because I think he’s a little bit slow with his reactions, his decision-making, in the early parts of games,” said Robinson. “I think he could have got seven or eight assists tonight. So, there are still some areas to work on.”
The 17-year-old Davies recorded team highs in key passes (5), dribbles (4), fouls earned (4), shots on target (2) and interceptions (3). His goal in the 76th minute restored the life into B.C. Place after the Caps had given the equalizer in a 1-1 contest while up a man.
His pace repeatedly torched the Lions’ defence, and his ball distribution — one area where he’s been criticized this season — was on point. His team-best total of seven assists is now third-best in MLS.
“(Robinson) told me to start the game the way I finished. And I do what he says,” the soft-spoken teen said after the game.
“I just try to play my game, and do what I know. I’m not trying to overcomplicate anything.”
Davies’ three-year contract expires in December, though the team holds options for the next two years. As has been the case since he made his debut as a 15-year-old, there were media reports this week linking Davies to a European club, this time Turkish giants Besiktas.
His development has been steady in Vancouver, but this year he’s starting to tantalizingly display the type of player he’ll eventually become. His athleticism and technical skills are already among the best in the league — his 70 successful dribbles are 13 more than the next-closest player, Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron — and much of his oneon-one work in training has focused on crossing and finishing.
Striker Kei Kamara was the beneficiary of one of Davies’ assists on Saturday, as the striker score from the field for the first time since March 31. Kamara has put in extra time helping Davies learn the intricacies of the game during training.
“He’s doing his job,” Kamara said post-game.
“It’s a good team for him to be part of. We know what his strengths are, and we’re putting him in position to use those strengths. A lot of people would say this was, by far, the best game of his career. And hopefully, it’s just the start going forward.”
Davies isn’t the only one enjoying a fine run of form during the Caps’ six-game unbeaten streak. Yordy Reyna and Cristian Techera had scored all but two of the team’s nine goals in the five games previous to Saturday. The Peruvian Reyna was on fire again Saturday, finding the net for the second straight game, buzzing around the Lions’ area like a gnat, and earning a penalty kick after a VAR review.
Despite his absence from the scoresheet, Kamara has been making an impact with his off-ball movement, defensive back-marking and aerial dominance — his 64 aerials won is a league-best — as the Caps have scored 16 goals in their last six games, most in MLS since the start of May.
Robinson said his attacking quartet is the best collective offensive group he’s had since taking the reins in 2013, and now that they’ve settled into their 4-4-2 alignment, they’re beginning to show why.
“I think they’re in good form at the moment,” he said. “The boys are playing with loads and loads of confidence. We scored five goals … and we could have scored a lot more than that. They’re playing with a lot of freedom, within the game plan, within the team tactical structure.
“Since we’ve had a little tweak in our formation, I’ve made it clearer for them on the defensive side of the game, and it’s allowed them to be more dangerous in
attacking areas.”
Vancouver now heads into a two-week break for the World Cup, getting back to action on June 23 in Philadelphia against the Union.