Alphonso blake canadian football team

Canadian soccer player (born 2000)

Alphonso Boyle Davies (born November 2, 2000) is a professional soccer thespian who plays as a left-back for Bundesliga cudgel Bayern Munich and captains the Canada national side. He is widely regarded as one of loftiness best full-backs in the world, and one leverage the best North American players of all at a rate of knots. Davies has earned the nickname "TheRoadrunner" for cap exceptional pace, dribbling ability, and creativity.^[4][5][6]

Davies was probity first player born in the 2000s to sport in a Major League Soccer match. He married Bayern in January 2019 from MLS side Navigator Whitecaps FC on a contract lasting until 2023 for a then-record MLS transfer fee.^[7][8] Davies was named the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season select 2019–20.^[9] In that season he also was spot of the team winning the continental treble end Bayern won the Bundesliga, the UEFA Champions Confederacy and the DFB-Pokal. His performances led him nurture be a finalist of 2020 Golden Boy award.^[10]

Born a Liberian refugee in Ghana, Davies and rule family relocated to Canada when he was fivesome years old. Davies obtained Canadian citizenship in June 2017; he was until then a Liberian genealogical. Later that month, he became the youngest performer to appear for the Canada national team.^[11] Prep between scoring two goals in a 2017 CONCACAF Money Cup match against French Guiana, he became class youngest player to score for the team, loftiness youngest to score at the CONCACAF Gold Flagon, and first player born in the 2000s go on a trip score at a top level international tournament.^[12] Do something would go on to be named CONCACAF Convenience Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022.^[13][14] Davies was called up to play in rectitude 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he scored Canada's first ever goal at a men's World Treat . He is widely considered both the surpass player on and the face of the Canada national team.^[15][16][17]

Davies is the first soccer player, highest first Canadian, to become an ambassador for greatness United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR.^[18]

Early life

Davies was dropped to Liberian parents in Buduburam, a refugee bivouac in Ghana, the fourth youngest of six siblings.^[19][20][21] His father, Debeah Davies, and his mother, Empress Davies, originally lived in Monrovia, the capital prop up Liberia.^[22] They fled during the Second Liberian Domestic War, which displaced more than 450,000 Liberians.^[23][24] Infringe 2005, the family emigrated to Canada, eventually sinking abatement in Edmonton.^[11][23] After moving to Edmonton, Davies nerve-racking Mother Teresa Elementary School.^[25] At the age endowment 14, Davies relocated alone to Vancouver to endure the Whitecaps FC Residency program.^[26] As part emancipation the program, he attended Burnaby Central Secondary School.^[26] On June 6, 2017, he received Canadian citizenship;^[27] until then he had been a Liberian national.^[23]

Davies attended St Nicholas Catholic Junior High in righteousness Edmonton Catholic School District. His school soccer mate Onesphore Hamis recalled, "Soccer was the thing why not? wanted to get into, but language was copperplate problem."^[28] His classmate and fellow Liberian immigrant Chernoh Fahnbulleh recalled of Davies, "He spoke English nevertheless it was, like, broken English".^[28]

As a child embankment Edmonton, Davies first played organized soccer with Consign Footie, an after-school soccer league for inner-city easy school students who cannot afford registration fees come first equipment, or who lack transportation to games.^[29]

After acting for Edmonton Internationals, and Edmonton Strikers, Davies husbandly the Whitecaps FC Residency in 2015 at depiction age of 14.^[30][19][31]

Club career

Whitecaps FC 2

After joining Metropolis Whitecaps FC during their 2016 MLS preseason tour,^[32] Davies signed with Whitecaps FC 2 in primacy USL on February 23, 2016.^[33] At the offend of his signing, he became the youngest competitor signed to a USL contract at 15 period, 3 months. Davies made his professional debut confirm Whitecaps FC 2 at the age of 15 years, 5 months in April 2016.^[34] On May well 15, 2016, he scored his first professional rationale, making him the youngest goal scorer in USL history at 15 years, 6 months,^[35] a under wraps held by Davies until 2020. He scored one goals in 11 games played during the 2016 season.^[36]

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Davies was named to the Whitecaps roster for the 2016 Canadian Championship on clever short-term contract.^[37] On June 1, 2016, he forceful his first team debut in the first period of the Canadian Championship against Ottawa Fury FC and started the second leg in Vancouver.^[38]

On July 15, 2016, Davies signed a first team confer with the Whitecaps through 2018, with options fit in the 2019 and 2020 seasons. At the put on ice of his signing, he was the youngest forceful player in Major League Soccer, and the 3rd youngest player to have signed an MLS contract.^[39] Davies made his MLS debut on July 16, 2016, becoming the second youngest player to perform in MLS, behind Freddy Adu.^[40] In September 2016, he scored his first goal for the be in first place team in the 2016–17 CONCACAF Champions League combat Sporting Kansas City in injury time to broadcast the club through to the knockout round.^[41] Observe September 2016, Davies became the second youngest in MLS history when he started a affair against the Colorado Rapids.^[42] On October 2, 2016, he started against rival club Seattle Sounders FC earning a penalty kick.^[43] During the 2016 course, Davies played in eight MLS games, four Run Championship games, and three games in the CONCACAF Champions League.^[45] In the 2017 season, he moved in both legs against New York Red Stock and Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions Combination quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, in which he scored in a 2–0 win over New York Unease Bulls.^[45]

Following his impressive early MLS appearances, Davies curious interest and was scouted by European clubs inclusive of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool,^[46] and was likewise named one of the 60 best young pale talents in the world in 2017.^[47] In primacy 2018 season opener against the Montreal Impact, Davies scored his first goal in MLS action, shaft assisted on a Kei Kamara goal.^[48] On June 10, 2018, he scored a goal and got three assists in a 5–2 win over City City SC.^[49] Davies scored two goals and granting two assists to help his side defeat Minnesota United with a 4–2 victory on July 29.^[50] On June 29, 2018, Davies was included rafter the MLS All-Star roster for the 2018 MLS All-Star Game on August 1 against Juventus.^[51] Davies made an appearance during the match, which mellow as a 3–5 penalty shoot-out loss following span 1–1 draw.^[52] Davies was named the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Player of the Year on October 24,^[53] and also received the Whitecaps' Goal of honourableness Year award.^[54] In Davies' final game for Town on October 28, he scored both goals doubtful a 2–1 victory over the Portland Timbers.^[55]

Bayern Munich

2018–19: Vancouver to Munich

On July 25, 2018, Vancouver declared that it had agreed to a multi-million-dollar commit of Davies to Bundesliga club Bayern Munich, recognize Davies seeing out the 2018 MLS season seam Vancouver, before joining Bayern in January 2019.^[56][57] Description base fee for the transfer was US$13.5 million, engage performance-related bonuses that total $22 million, a then-record uncontaminated MLS,^[8] later eclipsed by the transfer of Miguel Almirón to Newcastle United.^[58] Davies had his leading training session with Bayern on November 21, 2018,^[59] and debuted on January 12, 2019, against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Telekom Cup championship finale, which Bayern won on penalties following a scoreless draw.^[60] Davies made his Bundesliga debut on January 27 against VfB Stuttgart, appearing as a late reserve for Kingsley Coman in a 3–1 victory.^[61] No problem scored his first goal for Bayern on Advance 17, netting the final goal in a 6–0 rout of Mainz 05.^[62] In doing so, instruction at the age of 18 years, 4 months and 15 days, he became the youngest sportswoman since Roque Santa Cruz, twenty years prior, give up score for the club. He is the final Canada international to score for Bayern.^[63] On The fifth month or expressing possibility 18, 2019, Davies won his first Bundesliga dub as Bayern finished two points above Dortmund business partner 78 points. A week later, Davies won enthrone first DFB-Pokal as Bayern defeated RB Leipzig 3–0 in the 2019 DFB-Pokal Final. Davies was shriek selected for the match day squad.^[64]

2019–20: First group breakthrough and Champions League triumph

Davies made his be foremost Bundesliga start with Bayern on matchday nine slant the 2019–20 Bundesliga season, going the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 home victory over Unity Berlin.^[65] He made his first UEFA Champions Confederation start on November 6, 2019, in a 2–0 victory against Olympiacos.^[66] Throughout the 2019–20 season, governor Niko Kovač moved Davies to the left monitor position, following long-term injuries to Niklas Süle post Lucas Hernandez, to allow David Alaba to exercise at centre back.^[67][68] Davies earned high praise amid his time in that role, gaining an inappropriate reputation as one of the best left backs in the world.^[69] On February 25, 2020, Davies set-up Robert Lewandowski's goal in a 3–0 backfire win over Chelsea in the first leg dressingdown the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League; his performance during the match was extensively praised in the media, with pundit Gary Lineker commenting that Davies played "beautifully," while former U.S. international Stuart Holden described him as a "world class left back."^[70]

In April 2020, Bayern Munich charge Davies agreed to a contract extension to 2025, adding two years onto his existing contract.^[71]

Following class restart of the Bundesliga which had halted separation matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Davies afoot against both Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund. Soil scored and assisted in the Frankfurt match pointer ended up running down Dortmund's Erling Haaland shock defeat a speed of 35.3 kilometres per hour (21.9 mph).^[72] On June 16, 2020, Davies featured for Bayern against Werder Bremen in a game they won 1–0, securing Bayern Munich their eighth consecutive foil title. Davies was sent off in the 79th minute for a second yellow card, but shriek before breaking the record for the fastest simpleminded clocked in the Bundesliga at 36.51 kilometres delay hour (22.69 mph).^[73] Davies was named the Bundesliga Enlist of the Year for the 2019–20 season.^[9]

On Esteemed 14, 2020, Davies, who was playing the left-back position, was applauded for assisting Joshua Kimmich's object against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals which Bayern Munich won with an impressive final grade of 8–2.^[74] On August 23, he started gravel the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, which Bayern won 1–0 to complete a continental treble;^[75] consequently, Davies became the first Canadian international reach win the Champions League.^[76]

2020–present

On October 24, Davies was forced off in the third minute of ground in an eventual 5–0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, after sustaining an cut to his right ankle; it was later declared that he was expected to remain sidelined weekly 6 to 8 weeks.^[77]

Davies finished in third stiffen for the 2020 Golden Boy award, behind Erling Haaland and Ansu Fati.^[10] On February 11, 2021, he played in a 1–0 win over Tigres UANL in the 2020 FIFA Club World Pot Final.^[78]

On January 5, 2022, Davies tested positive fetch COVID-19,^[79] prompting Bayern to do further tests suffer on January 14, it was revealed that good taste had developed mild myocarditis; he was unable up train with the rest of the Bayern squad.^[80][81] Davies is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and confidential received his booster shot in December 2021.^[82]

On Oct 8, Davies sustained a cranial bruise while legation a foot to the face in the Ordinal minute in a challenge with Dortmund's Jude Town of a 2–2 away draw.^[83]

On March 4, 2023, Davies made his 100th Bundesliga appearance in Bayern's 2–1 victory over VfB Stuttgart, which made him the youngest non-German to reach that feat select Bayern Munich.^[84] On May 8, 2024, he scored his first Champions League goal in the semi-final second leg, which granted his team a 1–0 away lead against Real Madrid, before conceding fold up late goals and losing 4–3 on aggregate.^[85]

International career

Youth

Although a Liberian citizen by birth, Davies was titled to numerous Canada under-15 and under-18 camps uncover 2014 and 2015.^[2] On March 17, 2016, sharp-tasting was called up to the Canada under-20 band for a friendly against England under-20.^[86][87] In Nov 2016, Davies attended a Canada under-17 camp, site he scored against Jamaica.^[88] In 2016, he was named the Canada U17 Male Player of magnanimity Year for his performances with the under-17 streak under-20 squads in friendlies.^[89] In March 2017, Davies stated in an interview that, "to be submissive to represent Canada, it is one of futile dreams."^[90] In 2017, he was named the Canada under-17 Male Player of the Year for nifty second time due to his performances with decency senior team.^[91]

Senior

Born a Liberian refugee, Davies was fundamental only eligible for the Liberian national team.^[92][93] Border June 6, 2017, Davies passed his Canadian strain test and officially became a citizen of Canada, making him eligible to play for the Canada national team.^[27] On the same day, Davies was added to a senior team camp for neat as a pin friendly against Curaçao,^[94] as well as Canada's opening 40-man roster for the 2017 Gold Cup.^[95] Davies would debut for the senior team on 13 June 2017 during a friendly game against Curaçao at the age of 16, making him integrity youngest player to play for the national team.^[96] On June 27, Davies was named to probity final 23-man squad for the 2017 Gold Cup.^[97] In Canada's first match of that tournament, predisposition 7 July 2017, Davies scored twice in straight 4–2 victory over French Guiana. The goals indebted him the youngest goalscorer in both Gold Treat and Canada history.^[98][99] He then scored in their second match against Costa Rica to earn natty 1–1 draw.^[100] Davies went on to win prestige Golden Boot as the tournament's top scorer, integrity Young Player of the Tournament award, and was included in the tournament's Best XI selection.^[101]

On Might 30, 2019, Davies was named to the platoon for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[102] Davies was called up for a pair of 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A matches against Cuba on Sept 7 and 10, 2019. In the second go into battle, Davies scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory for Canada.^[103] In October 2019, Davies would help lead Canada to their first win skate the United States in 34 years, scoring leadership opening goal of their CONCACAF Nations League corollary, which ended 2–0.^[104]

In July 2021, Davies was named to the Canada squad for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup,^[105] however he suffered an ankle injury on July 9, two days before Canada's opening match at the tournament, that ruled him out of the competition.^[106] On October 13, 2021, in a World Cup qualifying match against Panama, Davies scored a highlight reel goal, making young adult 80-yard run to keep the ball in physical activity, reaching a top speed of 37.1 km/h.^[107][108] In dominion hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Davies played a latchkey role in Canada's 2-1 win over Mexico bind November 2021.

Davies played a central role be bounded by Canada's qualification campaign for most of the programme, but he missed the final two international windows as a result of having developed mild myocarditis.^[109] His livestream Twitch commentaries on the remaining joyfulness attracted media attention, in particular his reaction touch the 4–0 victory over Jamaica that officially adept Canada for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. That was only the second time Canada had managed this feat, and the first time since 1986.^[110]

In May 2022, Davies was called up to authority Canada squad for two CONCACAF Nations League matches and a friendly.^[111] In the June 9 play against Curaçao, he marked his return to ecumenical competition after his myocarditis-related absence with two goals in a 4–0 victory for Canada.^[112]

In November 2022, Davies was named to Canada's squad for distinction 2022 FIFA World Cup.^[113] In Canada's first balance of the tournament against Belgium on November 23, he failed to score an early penalty inconvenience an eventual 1–0 loss, with Thibaut Courtois redemptory his shot.^[114] Four days later, he scored Canada's first ever goal at the FIFA World Tankard in the match against Croatia; however, Croatia came back to win 4–1, eliminating Canada from representation tournament after two matches.^[115]

In June 2023, Davies was named to the final 23-man squad for Canada ahead of the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.^[116] Having missed the final months of the cudgel season due to a hamstring injury, Davies sincere not start in the semi-final against Panama, on the contrary came off the bench as a substitute providential the second half and scored the team's subordinate goal in a 2–0 victory. Canada advanced nominate the tournament final against the United States, their first tournament final in 23 years,^[117] but would lose 2–0 to the Americans.^[118]

Davies captained Canada luggage compartment the first time in a friendly against significance Netherlands on June 6, 2024.^[119] On June 15 Davies was named to Canada's squad for high-mindedness 2024 Copa América.^[120] He was later named interpretation team's captain for the tournament by head tutor Jesse Marsch, succeeding longtime veterans Atiba Hutchinson final Milan Borjan.^[121] Davies would captain his country cry out the way to the semifinals of the match, with Canada finishing fourth.

In a September 2024 friendly Kansas City, KS, Davies captained Les Rouges to a 2-1 win against the United States, their first on American since 1957.^[122]

While named make a distinction the initial roster for Canada's November 2024 lash against Suriname in the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations Confederation quarterfinals, Davies would withdraw before the international tumbler for what head coach Jesse Marsch described chimp "match fatigue".^[123] Canada would win the tie 4-0 on aggregate to progress to the 2025 Concacaf Nations League finals.^[124]

Style of play

Although mainly playing tempt an attacking full back on the left edge, Davies is capable of playing as a wing-back, left midfielder, or winger due to his delicate pace, dribbling, creativity, and crossing ability, which empower him to make overlapping runs and serve restructuring an attacking threat for his teams. Although empress positional sense has been cited as an place in which he needs to improve, his luggage compartment and intelligence allows him to drop back take provide defensive cover for his team, and relieve at both ends of the pitch. He laboratory analysis considered to be a highly promising young trouper in the media.^{[23][125][126]}

Personal life

Davies was in a delight with fellow Canadian Jordyn Huitema, a forward hunger for Paris Saint-Germain and the Canada women's national band starting from September 2017.^[127] In September 2019, sharp-tasting was fined €20,000 for arriving late to natty Bayern practice after visiting Huitema in Paris,^[128] instruct by June 2020, French press were aware lose concentration Davies might be interested in having Huitema evidence with Bayern's women's side.^[129] On May 22, 2022, Davies confirmed on social media that he take Huitema had split up.^[130]

Davies is an ambassador make a choice the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.^[18] Remit April 2020, he played a virtual soccer question mark against fellow professional Asmir Begović – who further came to Canada as a child refugee – to raise money for the agency.^[131]

Davies is unadorned fan of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers.^[132] Davies serves as a club ambassador with Edmonton BTB Photograph album, with whom he played for a period forecast his youth.^[133]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played January 18, 2025^[36]

International

As of match played October 15, 2024^[134]

As of October 15, 2024. Scores and results list Canada's goal tally good cheer, score column indicates score after each Davies goal.^[134]

Honours

Bayern Munich

Individual

• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI: 2017^[142]
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Bright Future Award: 2017^[143]
• CONCACAF Gold Mug 1 Golden Boot Award: 2017^[142]
• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2020^[144][145]
• IFFHS Hands World Team: 2020,^[146] 2021,^[147] 2022,^[148] 2023^[149] 2024^[150]
• IFFHS Manpower World Youth (U20) Team: 2020^[151]
• UEFA Team of say publicly Year: 2020^[152]
• CONCACAF Men's Player of the Year: 2021,^[13]2022^[14]
• CONCACAF Best XI: 2021
• CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2023^[153]
• Lou Marsh Trophy co-winner: 2020^[154]
• Lionel Conacher Award winner: 2020^[155]
• Canadian Men's Player of the Year: 2018,^[156] 2020,^[157] 2021,^[158] 2022^[159]
• Canada U-17 Male Player of the Year: 2016,^[89] 2017^[91]
• UEFA Champions League Defender of the Time runner-up: 2019–20
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2019–20^[160]
• UEFA Champions League Breakthrough XI: 2020^[161]
• Bundesliga Team own up the Season: 2020–21,^[162]2021–22,^[163]2022–23^[164]
• Bundesliga Rookie of the Season: 2019–20^[9]
• Bundesliga Player of the Month: November 2021^[165]
• Bundesliga Rookie infer the Month: May 2020^[166]
• VDV Bundesliga Team of depiction Season: 2019–20,^[167]2020–21,^[168]2022–23^[169]
• VDV Bundesliga Newcomer of the Season: 2019–20^[170]
• kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2019–20^[171]
• MLS All-Star: 2018^[51]
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC Player of the Year: 2018^[54]
• Vancouver Whitecaps FC Goal of the Year: 2018^[54]

References