Alphonso Davies is the new youngest player in Canadian men’s national team history.
The 16-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps FC winger, who received his Canadian citizenship last week, earned his first cap for Canada on Tuesday night in a 2-1 win over Curaçao at Stade Saputo. Previously, the youngest player to appear for Canada was the late Domenic Mobilio, a Whitecaps FC Ring of Honour inductee who first played for the national team at the age of 17.
Davies, who entered the match in the 53rd minute, provided a spark for Canada alongside Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert – also a second-half sub who was making his first national team appearance since September 2015 – en route to Canada’s comeback victory.
In the 76th minute, Davies got on the end of a cross from Whitecaps FC defender Marcel de Jong, who put in a solid 90-minute shift, but saw his volleyed attempt saved on the line. Then in the 81st minute, Davies was denied again – this time on a first-time effort from the top of the box after a nice feed from Teibert. Finally, Davies drew a penalty in the 87th minute with a fine run to the endline.
Cardiff City FC’s Junior Hoilett hit the post on the ensuing spot kick but Montreal’s Anthony Jackson-Hamel scored the eventual winner shortly later on a low strike from outside the area. Centre back Manjrekar James also found the back of the net for Canada, drawing the game level on a Will Johnson free kick just before halftime.
Tuesday’s friendly was Canada’s send-off match for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup, which begins on July 7. Canada is expected to name their roster later this month.
After a week off for the FIFA international break, Whitecaps FC return to action on Saturday night vs. Western Conference rivals FC Dallas (7 p.m. PT at BC Place - tickets still available).
