VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 2 – PORTLAND TIMBERS 1 

Storybook ending: Bayern-bound Davies puts bow on WFC career with brace in 2-1 victory

 

VANCOUVER, BC: Alphonso Davies bid Vancouver adieu in style, scoring a first-half brace in his farewell match at BC Place as Whitecaps FC defeated Portland Timbers 2-1 in their 2018 MLS regular season finale.

With the victory over their Cascadia rivals on Sunday afternoon, the ‘Caps finish the season with a 13W-13L-8D record. Portland were unable to improve on their position at fifth place in the Western Conference with a 15W-10L-9D record, and will visit FC Dallas in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Davies finishes the season with eight goals and 11 assists, as the Homegrown midfielder now looks forward to the next chapter of his young career, joining storied German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich after a landmark MLS transfer agreement in July.

Stefan Marinović made four saves for as the ‘Caps backline put together a strong outing, before Timbers midfielder Andrés Flores broke the shutout bid in the final minute of regulation.

The fireworks began before the half-hour mark when Davies dazzled with his patented dribble down the middle, then unleashed a left-footed laser from outside the box to beat Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella.

Three minutes later, Davies was on the hunt again, snatching the ball from Timbers defender Marco Farfan inside the Portland box, then cashing in for his second goal to put the ‘Caps up 2-0.

Davies, Kei Kamara, and Yordy Reyna kept the pressure on in the second half, but Davies’ first-half output would prove enough for the 2-1 win.

Davies came off the BC Place pitch for the final time to a rousing ovation in the 86th minute, as he was replaced by fellow teenage WFC Academy product Simon Colyn, who was making his first-team debut.

At 16 years and 219 days old, Colyn becomes the second-youngest player to make an MLS appearance for Whitecaps FC, next only to Davies. The Langley, BC native is also the third-youngest to make a first-team appearance for the ‘Caps since the club’s inception in 1974.

MCMILLAN ‘CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every ‘Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $600 for a season total of $10,500.

MATCH DETAILS

Referee: Ted Unkel
Attendance: 25,348

Scoring Summary
28’ – VAN – Alphonso Davies (Jake Nerwinski)
31’ – VAN – Alphonso Davies
90’ – POR – Andrés Flores

Statistics
Possession: VAN 59% – POR 41%
Shots: VAN 13 – POR 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – POR 5
Saves: VAN 4 – POR 3
Fouls: VAN 9 – POR 9
Offsides: VAN 4 – POR 0
Corners: VAN 6 – POR 3
Duels won: VAN 55 – POR 56
Tackles won: VAN 16 – POR 14

Cautions 
27’ – POR – Lucas Melano
82’ – VAN – Alphonso Davies

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinović; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 2.Doneil Henry, 46.Brett Levis; 66.Aly Ghazal; 29.Yordy Reyna (11.Nicolás Mezquida 78’), 31.Russell Teibert, 77.Jordon Mutch (8.Felipe 64’), 67.Alphonso Davies (54.Simon Colyn 86‘); 23.Kei Kamara

Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 19.Erik Hurtado, 20.Brek Shea, 22.Aaron Maund

Portland Timbers
1.Jeff Attinella ©; 2.Alvas Powell, 18.Julio Cascante, 25.Bill Poni Tuiloma, 32.Marco Farfan; 22.Cristhian Paredes (10.Sebastián Blanco 74’), 13.Lawrence Olum; 27.Dairon Asprilla, 26.Lucas Melano (17.Jeremy Ebobisse 80’), 14.Andrés Flores; 99.Samuel Armenteros (11.Andy Polo 66’)

Substitutes not used
12.Steve Clark, 16.Zarek Valentin, 19.Tomás Conechny, 33.Larrys Mabiala