Soccer
Davies Worth Price Of Admission
Money aside 17 year old Alphonso Davies is having fun playing a sport that he loves and despite his mega transfer deal he was offered, he showed everyone why he was given it.
Vancouver Whitecaps managed to defeat Minnesota United by a 4-2 score in what was a close finish in front of 20,831 on a hot, humid and muggy night at BC Place.
Caps International midfielder and soon to be superstar Alphonso Davies got a pair of goals as well as two assists in his homecoming as he has sat out the Whitecaps three previous matches due to contract negotiations.
All over his impressive US$22-million transfer to the German soccer giant Bayern Munich that helps all parties involved and clearly shows how the development program is working for the Whitecaps.
The Caps (8-9-5) were in need of the. win who entered the game trailing by two points behind United (9-12-1) and currently out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference for the MLS.
Power forward Yordy Reyna scored first in the 35th minute after an impressive pass from Davies dangling through several United players then
The goal was Reyna’s fourth goal of the year and only one of several plays that saw him control the ball getting into scoring position dangling through a barrage of players
Davies was set up by Anthony Blondell and notched his first of two in the 55th minute managing to get into the Minnesota box moving around several United’s defenders then notching it top shelf putting the Caps up 2 nil and the crowd became electric.
A short 10 minutes later, Davies cut in on the left side and just when you thought he would shoot, he passed it off to striker Kei Kamara, who delivered the ball into the open corner putting the Caps up 3 nil.
This assist was Davies’ 10th of the year, setting him two goals back of Pedro Morales for the club’s regular-season record.
Just when you thought it was over Minnesota notched in the first of two in the 82nd minute, with midfielder Ibson getting one behind Whitecaps keeper Stefan Marinovic.
This was quickly followed by yet another Minnesota marker as power forward Abu Danladi sent goal number two behind Marinovic in the 87th making it 3-2 with a wild finish and no one leaving the building.
Superstar Davies finished it off for the Whitecaps with his second of the game in the 89th minute that had the Caps in control, only to have the referee add an additional 5 minutes playing time.
The crowd of 20,831 at B.C. Place was quick to welcome the young all-star back, cheering every time he touched the ball.
Multiple players drew fouls while challenging Davies as Minnesota tried to control the youngster.
United defender and former Whitecap Michael Boxall shoved Davies pushing him to the ground he (Davies) had Cap’s teammates come to his rescue, but nothing further happened as cooler heads did prevail, but it’s fair to mention that everyone in at BC Place showed their displeasure in a chorus of boos.
Boxall was shown a yellow card for unsporting behavior which many question why it was only a yellow card and not a red one, especially if you are trying to get the “garbage” out of the sport?
Minnesota midfielder Eric Miller was handed the same punishment in the 50th minute after he grabbed Davies by the back of the jersey as the teen dribbled down the sideline.
The Whitecaps’ victory ended Minnesota’s three-game win streak.
Davies heads to Atlanta to make his first appearance in the MLS all-star game and given his talent this is the first of many that he will be playing in.
We wish him all the best in his career and it has truly been a pleasure watching him play.