Fifteen-year-old midfielder Alphonso Davies on Saturday became the second-youngest player ever to start an MLS game, when the Vancouver Whitecaps included him in their lineup for their match at BC Place against the Colorado Rapids.
Davies, a Homegrown Player from Edmonton, Alberta, had been a member of the Whitecaps' residency program and had been playing for the Whitecaps FC 2 reserve team when he signed with Vancouver on July 15, the same day the team announced midfielder Kekuta Manneh had undergone surgery to correct a broken bone in his foot. Davies was the third-youngest player ever to sign an MLS contract.
A 5-10, 155-pounder who has featured for the Canadian Under-15, Under-18 and Under-20 teams, Davies had previously come off the bench in six league matches this season for the Whitecaps. He also played four games in the Amway Canadian Championship, including two starts.
D.C. United's Freddy Adu, at 14 years, 334 days old, was the youngest player ever to play and start an MLS game, when he was included in DC's starting XI against the San Jose Earthquakes back on May 1, 2004.
