Storybook ending: Bayern-bound Davies puts bow on WFC career

Alphonso Davies bid Vancouver adieu in style, scoring a first-half brace in his farewell match at BC Place as Whitecaps FC defeated Portland Timbers 2-1 in their 2018 MLS regular season finale.

With the victory over their Cascadia rivals on Sunday afternoon, the ‘Caps finish the season with a 13W-13L-8D record. Portland were unable to improve on their position at fifth place in the Western Conference with a 15W-10L-9D record, and will visit FC Dallas in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Davies finishes the season with eight goals and 11 assists, as the Homegrown midfielder now looks forward to the next chapter of his young career, joining storied German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich after a landmark MLS transfer agreement in July.

Stefan Marinović made four saves for as the ‘Caps backline put together a strong outing, before Timbers midfielder Andrés Flores broke the shutout bid in the final minute of regulation.

The fireworks began before the half-hour mark when Davies dazzled with his patented dribble down the middle, then unleashed a left-footed laser from outside the box to beat Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella.

Three minutes later, Davies was on the hunt again, snatching the ball from Timbers defender Marco Farfan inside the Portland box, then cashing in for his second goal to put the ‘Caps up 2-0.

Davies, Kei Kamara, and Yordy Reyna kept the pressure on in the second half, but Davies’ first-half output would prove enough for the 2-1 win.

Davies came off the BC Place pitch for the final time to a rousing ovation in the 86th minute, as he was replaced by fellow teenage WFC Academy product Simon Colyn, who was making his first-team debut.

At 16 years and 219 days old, Colyn becomes the second-youngest player to make an MLS appearance for Whitecaps FC, next only to Davies. The Langley, BC native is also the third-youngest to make a first-team appearance for the ‘Caps since the club’s inception in 1974.