Vancouver Whitecaps v Minnesota United – The Story In Pictures (aka The Alphonso Davies Show)
There’s not much more we can write about Alphonso Davies’ performance in Vancouver Whitecaps’ 4-2 win over Minnesota United that hasn’t already been written. So let’s just let the pictures do the talking.
It was the most Canadian of performances, a double double. Two goals and two assists for Phenon Phonzie saw the ‘Caps over the line, although they made it difficult for themselves in the end and the visitors certainly had their chances to have more goals. The 4-2 final score could easily have been 6-6.
Either way, it was a vital victory for the ‘Caps in a very early six-pointer. AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk (@ResidualImage) was there to capture the action before, during and after the game. Here’s his “Story In Pictures”, with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.
It was a night of pride for Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place
Back in the old country, this is how they used to tackle
Your Whitecaps starting XI
Ouch! Minnesota certainly put themselves about in this one and had the better of the early pressure
And ouch again!
The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute when Alphonso Davies played the ball inside to Yordy Reyna
And the Peruvian waltzed past four Minnesota defenders
Before firing home the opener – a fantastic individual goal from Reyna and he enjoyed every second of it
Aly Ghazal headed over towards the end of the half before limping off injured with a possible groin strain
Vancouver doubled their lead in the 56th minute with another wonderful individual goal, this time from Alphonso Davies
The 17-year-old showed fantastic footwork to leave Michael Boxall in his wake
Dancing past Minnesota defenders
And cutting them apart
Before firing home to make it 2-0 Vancouver
What a goal!
Take a bow son – or do a flip. Either is appropriate. Just don’t injure yourself!
Kendall Waston wanted in on the act and nearly hit his own golazo from long range
Then Phonzie was off to the races once again in the 64th minute
Squaring the ball to Kei Kamara, who had just come on as a sub a minute earlier
And the striker made no mistake to put the Whitecaps three up and it was “wonky wonky” time (watch the postgame scrum with Phonzie!)
Cristian Techera came within inches of making it four minutes later as Vancouver were rampant
Yet somehow they switched off defensively again late on, allowing first Ibson and then Abu Danladi to score two goals in a five minute spell to let Minnesota back into the match with three minutes remaining
But thankfully worries of a Minnesota comeback were to last just two minutes before Alphonso Davies got the ball outside the visitor’s box again
Once more ripping the Minnesota defence apart
Powering towards goal
And finishing with aplomb
What a night for the young lad. What a week!
All that was left was for Doneil Henry to do the Humba with Curva Collective
Happy days!
You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below:
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