Alphonso Davies played 30 minutes in his first ever MLS All-Star game. Coming on 30 minutes into the game, Davies was used as a left back by MLS All-Star coach Tata Martino until being taken off in the 60th minute.
Davies did nothing wrong, the rotation is normal MLS All-Star procedure. Every player on the All-Star squad received playing time as Juventus won 1-1 (5-3) on penalties.
“It is remarkable he plays left back in this game,” Garber said during the MLS All-Star halftime show. “It empowers the system in that it shows that you can develop your own players.”
Recently signed by FC Bayern Munich in a record-breaking deal, Davies is used to playing further back.
Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson frequently drops the 17-year-old further back. The MLS All-Star game showed why.
Davies’ speed on the ball and his technical ability to beat players allows him to play out of position in a defensive four.
That speed was on display on several occasions Wednesday night, with Davies winning the ball in his penalty box on at least one occasion and then quickly racing forward trying to take on Juventus’ defenders one-on-one.
"Hi, allow me to introduce myself…" – Alphonso Davies
(probably) #VWFC pic.twitter.com/5qrinc1DTN
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) August 2, 2018
At the same time, there was also a sense that Davies was somewhat holding back. Gone was the gusto that was on display on the weekend against Minnesota United.
Instead, Davies strictly kept to Tata Martino’s tactical setup. He displayed a shyer yet also a tactically more disciplined version of himself.
Bayern fans, in particular, can take away some positives from this MLS All-Star performance. One of the question marks that emerged following the historic transfer was whether Davies would be tactically ready to make the move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
That question was answered affirmatively in this game. Davies showed he his not just a flashy attacking player but also an intelligent player, who can fit into several tactical setups.
The 17-year-old showed the sort of maturity that will be necessary to survive in the Bayern shark tank.