Best Wishes to Charlie Davies

October 14th, 2009 | by: Daryl |

As you may have read by now, USA forward Charlie Davies was involved in a one car accident early Tuesday morning in Virginia. Ashley Roberta was also in the car, and lost her life in the accident. Davies’ injuries are not considered life threatening, but he had emergency surgery to repair a shattered right leg, ruptured bladder, broken left elbow and multiple facial fractures.

US Soccer physician Dan Kalbac said his injuries would “usually require a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation”.

“Due to Charlie’s fitness level, his prognosis recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved,” Kalbac added.

So we don’t know whether Davies will be able to play at World Cup 2010. But given the fact he’s lucky to be alive, World Cup participation suddenly seems unimportant.

If you’re not familiar with Davies, he currently plays for Sochaux in Ligue 1, and made a big name for himself at the Confederations Cup, where Bob Bradley handed Davies a surprise start against Egypt in a must win game, and Davies took full advantage by scoring the opening goal. He’s been a national team regular ever since.

Conor Nevins has a nice write up of Davies career so far, on his ESPN blog here.

Here’s a video of Davies in action for Hammarby (in Sweden), Sochaux and the USA:

According to Steven Goff at Soccer Insider, Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe has said:

“We are all in shock. The American federation was exemplary and informed us of all the events. Regrettably, his dream of South Africa has gone away and his career might be in danger. All our thoughts at FC Sochaux are with Charlie.”

US fans are apparently planning a tribute to Davies in the ninth minute of this evening’s World Cup qualifier vs Costa Rica, since Davies wears #9.

Bob Bradley has said:

“As a team we were saddened to learn this news. We are are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charlie and Charlie’s family as well as the people in the car and the families of the others involved.”

I have nothing to add, other than to offer condolences to Ashley Roberta’s family and to wish Charlie Davies a speedy recovery.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

http://www.myspace.com Tommy Wong

I’m left pretty speechless. I hope he recovers alright. Sometimes cars can be moving deathtraps. *Sigh*.
Kelly

Anyone looking for information on ways to send Charlie their well wishes as well as a place to show him their support can look here: http://getwellsooncharlie.wordpress.com/

Get well soon Charlie
alex

first off….thank god hes alive and going to survive….second of all…his career was on the rise….showed no fear against spain, brazil, mexico….

shouldnt of been out so late….nothing good happens at 3 am….cmon man…athletes sometimes think that there untouchable…nothing can hurt them….hard lesson to learn

get well soon…
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

This is heartbreaking. Anybody who saw Confederations Cup knows that Charlie Davies was set to be the future of the USMNT.

Hope he makes it back 100% and shows his stuff in South Africa.
http://spurs.theoffside.com Sam

Laurie, there is no chance in hell he will be fit for South Africa. It’s still up in the air whether he will ever be able to play at the highest level.

This sucks big time, Davies has been a joy to watch since he’s come into the USA team.
http://france.worldcupblog.lorg laurie

I know, Sam. But there is still a tiny, maternal, wishful thinking part of me that thinks it could happen.

Sigh.
http://hull.theoffside.com MW

Thank god it looks like he’ll be alright. And prayers for Angela’s family, so sad.
http://hull.theoffside.com MW

Ashleys family rather.
Aussie Abroad

Deleted – Daryl
june16_1904

The tribute at the game last night was very moving. I wish Davies the best as he tries to recover.

p.s.
Daryl, can you delete that comment from Aussie Abroad?
Diane

Thanks Daryl, for the great post. You point out by far the worst of the tragedy straight away, link to great tributes/video of Charlie the player, and quite simply summarize what has going through my mind since I heard: “So we don’t know whether Davies will be able to play at World Cup 2010. But given the fact he’s lucky to be alive, World Cup participation suddenly seems unimportant.”

I add my condolences to Ashley Roberta’s family also, and will keep wishing Charlie a speedy recovery.

(Laurie, face it, all of our maternal areas are going haywire. Heartbreaking sums it up.)
Dionne

I was shocked when I heard what happened to Davies. I feel for what happned to him. It is even more saddening to know that he won’t be able to play in the World Cup next year.