VANCOUVER, B.C. – The buzz in the stands began to grow as Alphonso Davies made his way toward the halfway line, with the 15-year-old getting set to make his MLS debut.

But as he stood, waiting to replace Nicolas Mezquida in the 77th minute, everything seemed normal to the youngest goal-scorer in USL history.

“It was really a great experience,” Davies said following the game. “I wasn’t that nervous, because [it’s] a game of football. Yes, they’re a good MLS team, but it’s just a ball, you go out and play, have fun. I wasn’t really nervous coming on the field.”

After training throughout the preseason with the Whitecaps, Davies became the youngest player in USL history when he signed in February with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. Some impressive performances in both the USL and for the Canada U20 National Team later, Davies was called into the Whitecaps’ squad for the Amway Canadian Championship this summer. 

• RELATED: Davies Makes Move from WFC2 to Whitecaps

On Friday he became the first player to make the official move from WFC2 to the ‘Caps. With the side up a man, and looking for a winner late in a 2-2 game against Orlando City SC, Davies became the second-youngest player in MLS history as Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson looked for a spark off his bench.

While a goal didn’t manifest itself, Robinson was pleased – if guarded – with Davies’ debut.

“He was great,” said Robinson, whose side was playing its third game in eight days. “Alphonso coming in provided a great spark. Obviously he was brought on to try and effect the attacking end of the pitch, and he did that, but let’s not get carried away.”

With his family on hand, though, the night was a special one for the Liberian-born Davies. One of the only hints he gave to his age postgame was a reference to his parents getting him good food to eat.

Other than that, though, the understanding that more work is ahead to become a regular figure in the ‘Caps side came through strongly.

“I think if I keep performing well I can see myself getting more minutes on the field,” Davies said. “I’ve just got to dig down and work as hard as I can, do what they tell me to do, do my pre-game, pre-training rituals, and the rest will take care of itself.”