Asked about his favourite soccer memory growing up in his hometown of Edmonton, Alphonso Davies smiled.
“Just being a kid, playing football with my friends … And now here I am playing with the national team in my hometown,” he said. “It’s just going to feel like I’m back on the soccer pitch with the Edmonton Strikers and just having fun with some friends.”
He’s about to do it again, this time with a band of brothers wearing the Maple Leaf.
The Bayern Munich star will be the main attraction when the Canadian men, currently ranked 48th in the world, host No. 45 Costa Rica on Nov. 12 and No. 9 Mexico on Nov. 16 in a pair of crucial World Cup qualifying matches in Edmonton. Davies’ star power — combined with the appeal of an exciting young Canada team under John Herdman — has already seen close to 40,000 tickets sold for each game at Commonwealth Stadium.
WATCH l Davies proud to represent Canada ahead of return to Edmonton:
Alphonso Davies returns to home field
10 hours ago
Edmonton’s own soccer star, Alphonso Davies, is feeling great about representing Canada in his hometown in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. “As a kid, you dream about playing with your country. And you know, that’s what I’m doing.” 1:02
While Herdman can call on a talented roster with the likes of Atiba Hutchinson, Milan Borjan, Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Tajon Buchanan, Stephen Eustaquio and Jonathan Osorio, among others, Davies has become the face of the program.
It’s easy to see why. A former refugee whose family found a home in Canada, his backstory resonates.
Exuding joy off the pitch
In games, his blistering speed, drive and bag of tricks on the ball are compelling. But one can argue he strikes a bigger chord off the pitch, especially these days.
WATCH l Breaking down Davies’ goal against Panama:
Breaking Down Alphonso Davies’ spectacular goal against Panama
22 days ago
Watch our breakdown of forward Alphonso Davies’ incredible individual effort as Canada defeats Panama 4-1 in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match. 1:19
Davies’ enthusiasm and joie de vivre are exemplary. And while already a celebrity at the age of 21, he exudes everyman.
He raves about meeting Drake when the hip-hop star dropped into the team hotel to say hello after Canada’s Oct. 13 win over Panama in Toronto, a game that saw him score a wonder-goal. And his delight — captured via live-stream — at hitting the jackpot by acquiring Lionel Messi — extremely rare and much-prized — when he opened a player pack in the FIFA video game was something to behold.
Asked which one ranked higher, Davies laughed. “I don’t know. I think they both go hand-in-hand.”
After some contemplation, he chose hanging out with Drake.
“I’ve listened to Drake ever since I started listening to music. Drake is one of my idols. I love all his music.”
“My achievement with Messi was me playing against him (in Champions League play),” he added in a virtual media availability. “Unfortunately I didn’t get to get his jersey. That would have been up there too, probably would have surpassed Drake a little bit more. But I’ll say it was meeting Drake, for sure.”
Staying grounded through success
Davies’ appeal is well documented.
He has become a social media phenomenon with 4.8 million followers on TikTok, 4.2 million on Instagram and 310,900 on Twitter. He can also be described as one-half of Canadian soccer royalty, given he goes out with Canadian international Jordyn Huitema, who plays her club soccer for Paris Saint-Germain.
Canada’s Alphonso Davies eyes the ball against Panama during second half World Cup qualifying action in Toronto on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press)
Davies has not forgotten his roots, serving as a global goodwill ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
“He still has a great attitude. He’s still grounded, he doesn’t have a big head,” said Nick Huoseh, who coached him with the Edmonton Strikers.
Today, Huoseh serves as Davies’ representative in addition to his day job as owner and founder of Edmonton’s ASI Tech, which specializes in building communication systems in the oil and gas sector.
While Davies has attracted plenty of endorsement offers, Huoseh and the Davies family have been selective. Davies has a deal with Nike as well as two other companies whose products are close to his heart — EA Sports and Crocs.
Davies is an avid FIFA gamer and just likes wearing Crocs.
As a Bayern player, Davies also gets an Audi car. Audi owns 8.33 per cent of the German champions.
And while fame and fortune have come with his soccer skills, Davies — whose contract with Bayern runs through 2025 — has hardly put a foot wrong.
Sent off in a September 2017 friendly against Jamaica in Toronto for kicking out at Damion Lowe after the two went down in a tangle in the corner, the then-16-year-old Davies apologized the same day via social media.
“I just want to apologize to CanadaSoccerEN for my breakout on the field earlier today, and to the people that came to watch the game.” The tweet was accompanied by a GIF subtitled “I’m sorry.”
I just want to apologize to <a href=”https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@CanadaSoccerEN</a> for my breakout on the field earlier today, and to the people that came to watch the game ???????? <a href=”https://t.co/eS19JHOZaa”>pic.twitter.com/eS19JHOZaa</a>
While Davies is coming to Edmonton on business, there will be some pleasure in reuniting with family and friends. He also admits to a fondness for West Edmonton Mall.
His family don’t get to see him play live often. They had hoped to see him in Canada’s game against El Salvador in Toronto on Sept. 8, but Davies ended up having to sit out after picking up a knock to his knee in a 1-1 tie with the U.S. three days earlier in Nashville.
Huoseh said Davies mother saw him play a Bundesliga and Champions League game in 2019.
Davies hasn’t played in his hometown since he was a member of the Edmonton Strikers, before leaving for Vancouver and the Whitecaps at 14.
He said he has only been in Commonwealth Stadium a few times, including a brief visit to take in a Grey Cup back in the day.
“I was in there for like five minutes and then I left because I had to go home. I don’t know how I got in the stadium because I had no ticket,” he added with a giggle. “I think I just went to the game, just walked in and no one saw.”
He’s giving back on his return home, working with Canada Soccer to provide tickets to St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High School, his alma mater.
Aiming for Qatar 2022
Helped by Davies, Canada (2-0-4, 10 points) stands third in CONCACAF’s Octagonal standings behind Mexico (4-0-2, 14 points) and the 13th-ranked U.S. (3-1-2, 11 points). No. 69 Panama (2-2-2, eight points) is fourth.
Come March, after each of the eight teams has played 14 matches, the top three qualify for Qatar 2022 while the fourth-place side takes part in an intercontinental playoff to see who joins them.
Davies has 10 goals and 15 assists in 28 senior appearances for Canada, playing both fullback and a more attacking role.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
