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Davies on Song as Whitecaps Take Preseason Win

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 02/02/17, 11:29AM EST

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2016 USL Rookie of the Year finalist strikes twice in victory vs. Bristol City FC U23s


Photo courtesy Bob Frid / Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

Entering his first full season in Major League Soccer, there’s likely to be a spotlight on former Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 standout Alphonso Davies. On Thursday, it certainly appeared the 16-year-old is ready for what’s to come as he capped off the Whitecaps’ preseason trip to Wales with a pair of goals in a 4-0 exhibition victory against Bristol City FC U23s.

Alongside former PDL standout Kekuta Manneh, who finished the game with three assists, Davies – a finalist for the 2016 USL Rookie of the Year award after becoming the youngest signing and goal-scorer in league history – drew praise from Whitecaps Head Coach Carl Robinson.

“They’re both very young, excellent players who get people off their seats,” Robinson told WhitecapsFC.com’s Farhan Devji when asked about Davies and Manneh. “Those two in the first 45 minutes showed that they’ve got a good combination, what their strengths are, and they played to their strengths. They ran hard, which is important, they managed to get themselves in right areas, and they obviously scored a couple of goals, so I was pleased with both of them.”

Manneh had already provided an assist on Jordan Harvey’s opening goal in the ninth minute before his well-weighted pass gave Davies the chance to finish from close range three minutes later. In the 39th minute the duo combined again, this time for a highlight-reel finish. Manneh created the opportunity as he flicked the ball over a defender near the halfway line on the left before sending a volleyed crossfield pass that Davies controlled, maneuvered toward the center and fired low into the right corner from 20 yards.

Full highlights of the preseason exhibition are available below.

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