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Davies Strikes Late, Sends ‘Caps into SCCL Quarterfinals

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 09/14/16, 9:25AM EDT

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Vancouver defeats Sporting Kansas City as WFC2’s Greig, Richey play roles


Photo courtesy Nick Tre. Smith / Sporting Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Mark down another first for Alphonso Davies.

Previously this season the youngest goal-scorer in USL history, Davies’ first goal for Vancouver Whitecaps FC proved decisive as the ‘Caps took a 2-1 victory against Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday night to advance to the quarterfinals of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League.

Davies’ goal in the 93rd minute came off an assist from Whitecaps FC 2 forward Kyle Greig, called up for the game alongside goalkeeper Spencer Richey and defender Sem de Wit. A native of Kansas, Greig laid a pass back to Davies 25 yards out on the right side of the penalty area, and the No. 8 selection in the USL 20 Under 20 series in July fired home a left-footed finish that deflected off a defender and in for the winner.

“It's a great, great opportunity for us as a club,” Davies told Whitecapsfc.com having also provided the assist on Erik Hurtado’s opening goal. “We're making history getting to the quarterfinals. It was a fantastic experience for me. I'm happy I was able to help the club take that step forward.”

Richey was called on to make the start for the Whitecaps after having made 13 starts for WFC2 this season. The rookie goalkeeper was officially called on to make only one save, but his late stop of a shot by Connor Hallisey kept the game on level terms entering stoppage time.

Greig, meanwhile, came on in the 87th minute for Erik Hurtado, and made a big impact in his short time of the field. WFC2’s leading scorer this season with 11 goals, Greig’s assist was his first for the Whitecaps’ MLS side.

A number of Swope Park Rangers also saw action for SKC on the night, with Tyler Pasher, Ualefi and Amer Didic all being named in the starting lineup, and Kris Tyrpak coming on as a halftime substitute.

The Whitecaps face one more game in the SCCL group stage against Central FC on Wednesday, Sept. 28 which will play a role in deciding the club’s seed for the knockout stage. After advancing out of the group for the first time in club history, though, the late win was a pleasing one for Coach Carl Robinson.

“It's very nice,” Robinson told Whitecapsfc.com. “We didn't come here to try and get a tie, we came here to try and win the game. You see us at the end of the game, Peter [Vermes] and his team are trying to win the game and we are trying to win the game as well by pushing numbers forward and trying to catch them on the counter attack.”

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