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VANCOUVER — Alphonso Davies was back in the lineup Saturday night, and the teenage sensation showed why Bayern Munich paid the big bucks for him in a landmark deal just a few days ago. Davies scored one goal and assisted two others in the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-2 win over Minnesota United.
The match also served at Pride Night, and in a stand against homophobia and to celebrate diversity, the announced 20,000 spectators at BC Place turned the stands into a giant rainbow ahead of the match. The shirt numbers for both clubs were also rainbow colors.
On the field, it was a pedestrian start to the proceedings. Both teams were mainly stuck in midfield – playing sluggish football that did not allow either side to find a breakthrough in the attacking third.
About 20 minutes in the Whitecaps started to produce some pressure, and ironically it was right then that Minnesota produced its first palpable chance of the game.
Winning the ball deep in their half in the 24th minute, the Loons swarmed forward. The ball ended up with Miguel Ibarra on the left, and the midfielder floated a cross inside the box that found a completely unmarked Darwin Quintero. Vancouver was lucky the Colombian striker missed the goal from just a few yards out.
The Whitecaps, however, kept their cool and kept dominating. It was an effort that paid off as they opened the scoring in the 35th minute. Davies won the ball deep in Minnesota’s half and laid it off to Yordy Reyna, the Peruvian then danced past five defenders and finished with a shot that sailed past Loons keeper Bobby Shuttleworth.
Just before halftime, Vancouver should have added another. Jakob Nerwinski broke through on the right flank and delivered a perfect cross in the box that met the head of Aly Ghazal. The Egyptian, however, could not direct the cross downward and the ball sailed over the crossbar.
It was Ghazal’s final action of the match. Just before halftime, the Egyptian signaled he was not able to carry on and he had to be replaced. Head coach Carl Robinson elected to bring on playmaker Felipe.
Two minutes into the second half, Davies once again demonstrated why Bayern made him the most expensive player in MLS history. Davies charged down the left flank of the pitch. The 17-year-old Canadian easily steamed past a Minnesota defender – producing a double step over in full flight – before delivering a point-accurate cross that just about missed Anthony Blondell on the far right post.
In the 56th minute, Davies was at it again. The attacking midfielder received the ball 18 yards centrally outside the box. Davies then ran at United defender Michael Boxall and sidestepped him with a step-over trick before scoring his fourth of the season by slotting the ball through Shuttleworth’s legs.
Davies was then also involved in Vancouver’s next goal. In the 65th minute, Reyna won the ball in his half and then spotted Davies, who had made a run forward. Davies spotted Kei Kamara, who was just brought on, at the edge of the box and the striker easily slotted the ball home from about 14-yards out.
Vancouver kept at it and in the 70th minute. Cristian Techera should have made it 4-0 as he went one-0n-one with Shuttleworth. The keeper stood tall, however, and kept the shot out and Reyna then had his rebound cleared off the line by a Minnesota defender.
Vancouver was almost in complete control, until the 82nd minute when Minnesota scored after a corner kick. Quintero brought in a low corner that found Ibson’s head and his header extension sailed over Vancouver keeper Stefan Marinović’s head to make it 3-1.
The goal gave Minnesota a lifeline, and in the 87th minute, Quintero danced through Vancouver’s defense and managed to center the ball to Abu Danladi, who tapped the ball in from just a few yards out to make it 3-2.
Thankfully Vancouver had Davies. The teenager completed his stellar performance by making it 4-2 in the 90th minute. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, he stepped past three Minnesota defenders, broke into the box and then curled the ball past Shuttleworth for an unbelievable finish.
It was a fitting end to an evening all about Davies. As the teenager was cheered by fans, there was also a realization that there will be only a few games left until the 17-year-old will head over to Germany to show off his talent in a red Bayern shirt.
Lineups
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4-4-1-1): Marinović – de Jong, Henry, Waston, Nerwinski – Davies, Teibert, Ghazal (Felipe, 45′), Techera (Shea, 76′) – Reyna – Blondell (Kamara, 62′)
Minnesota United FC (3-5-2): Shuttleworth – Calvo, Kallman, Boxall – M. Ibarra, Ibson, Warner (Martin, 82′), Schüller, Miller (R. Ibarra, 68′) – Quintero, Ramirez (Danladi, 68′)