On Thursday, as Canada make their Copa América debut against Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Argentina in Atlanta, Davies begins a new test. He’s recently been named captain, with FC Porto midfielder Stephen Eustáquio serving as vice-captain.
It’s the stuff dreams are made of: An MLS academy graduate leading Les Rouges against the reigning World Cup champions and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose arrival has opened a new era in the league’s history.
“Even though I wasn’t born [in Canada], I felt like I was born in Canada because of how young I came,” Davies, who was 5 when his family arrived, told media ahead of this week’s opening match. “When we came to Canada, the country really took us in as their own. I love this country, and I think before the game, there’s going to be a lot of emotions, leading our team out against an opponent like that.”
Still the fourth-youngest player on the team, Davies already holds 47 Canadian caps and has experience in the global game far beyond his years. Yet it’s not the winning or goals that matter most to new head coach Jesse Marsch, but his emergence as an emotional leader in a formative era for Canadian soccer.
“He has a real presence and gravity in his personality and who he is,” the former CF Montréal and New York Red Bulls coach said of Davies, who played for the Whitecaps from 2015-18. “We know he’s still young and that he’s not a finished product as a captain… but the guys spoke, and they all said to him, ‘You don’t have to change; you just have to be yourself.’
“He’s a guy that cares a lot for this team and this country, and someone who wants to take on a bigger role, trains hard and leads by example.”
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