Every Thursday/Friday, Sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet 650 radio commentator Dan Riccio about the big stories and issues surrounding the Vancouver Whitecaps.
SN: This was a big week for the Whitecaps as they completed the transfer move of Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich. What do you think this means in the long-term and short-term for the Whitecaps?
RICCIO: This is a potential game changer for the Whitecaps in the short- and long-term. The transfer fee gives them flexibility and resources to put into the club over the next few years, and it is a huge win that they get to keep Davies for the rest of this MLS season. Replacing a talent like him at this late stage of the window would be next to impossible, so this gives them their best chance to make a run at things in the Western Conference this year.
In the long-term, this kind of transfer fee is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in MLS. The worry most people in Vancouver have is that this doesn’t change much in the first team. Whitecaps fans are yearning for ownership to splurge on a big talent, but the club has always been hesitant in its dealings on the transfer market. They have shown an unwillingness to pay transfer fees, and this Davies money could change that. Many in this city will remain skeptical until they see it happen.
Is this a good move for Davies? Do you see him succeeding in Europe? Should he have waited a little longer, or gone to a lesser-known club first, instead of Bayern?
I am of the opinion that if a big club such as Bayern Munich comes calling then you take that chance as a young player. The training, the facilities, the coaching, the competition, every single level of Bayern is run in a first-class manner.
Will it be difficult for Davies to ever break into the first team? Of course, but that doesn’t mean this move won’t be good for his development. Bayern Munich is invested in Davies now, and they’ll want to see him grow. Sure, the investment is small in comparison to some others that they have made, but rarely is $20 million spent on 17-year-olds in world football. Bayern will make sure they get something out of this player. This move will afford Davies future opportunities at smaller clubs, so yes I do see Davies succeeding in Europe.
From a talent level, I think the young Canadian is already there. We’ve heard that some scouts rate him as the best player for his age in the world. Yes, a Canadian. He’s an exceptional talent, and I’ve only been more impressed with each chance I’ve had to see him play. On top of that, Davies has the drive from within to push himself forward, and has learned to use his physical gifts on the field. The kid is destined for superstardom.
What did you make of the Whitecaps’ midweek performance against the Montreal Impact to book their spot in the Canadian Championship final?
It was the best I’ve seen them play without Davies in the lineup. The Whitecaps dominated from start to finish against a Montreal squad that didn’t show up to finish the job after winning the first leg. This was a flattering score line for Montreal. Yordy Reyna was the best player on the pitch, and Vancouver will need that from him if they are to get back into the playoff picture. Kei Kamara, Brek Shea, Cristian Techera and Reyna all looked dangerous in attack, breaking the Impact’s lines and causing trouble for the defence. It might have been the strongest team performance from Vancouver all season, and they needed it after the disappointing match in Seattle last weekend.
How do you think the Whitecaps match up against TFC in the upcoming two-legged final?
I know they’re near the bottom of the MLS standings, but a healthy TFC is still one of the three strongest sides in the league. Vancouver should be considered an underdog in the final, but not as big an underdog if you were handicapping this match-up earlier in the year. Vancouver has an element that has crushed TFC at times this year, and that is a lethal counter attack. If TFC is as careless in possession as they have been throughout the course of the campaign, the Whitecaps will make them pay.
The other element that may decide this fixture is how much does each team want it? Toronto has made it clear their intentions to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, and that suggests they will prioritize this Voyageurs Cup final. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps had their best XI minus Davies out against Montreal on Wednesday and that to me signals that they will be putting their best foot forward.
What intrigues you about Saturday’s home MLS game against Minnesota United?
The playoff race. Here we are coming toward the back half of the dog days of summer, and this is when things really start to get crazy in MLS. Vancouver and Minnesota are neck and neck in the standings, and that makes this late July fixture extremely important. The Whitecaps will get Davies back, but Minnesota has one of the hottest players in the league with Darwin Quintero. If Vancouver is to make a push for the playoffs, they’ll have to start winning their home dates. They have collected just 16 of a possible 30 points at BC Place. That has to change on Saturday night.
Be sure to listen to Dan Riccio on a daily basis on Sportsnet 650. You can also follow Dan Riccio on Twitter
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