US National Team

USA Players And Staff React To Davies Accident

An emotional U.S. team joined in support of Charlie Davies following the youngster's car accident.

Oct 15, 2009 3:31:46 AM

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The United States players pulled out a large banner with the number 9 on it and Jozy Altidore exposed his undershirt which said "Davies 9" after the U.S. drew 2-2 with Costa Rica in the final game of World Cup qualifying.

Early Tuesday morning, U.S. striker Charlie Davies was involved in a one car accident that killed one of the passengers and severed the SUV in half. Davies himself suffered a fractured leg and elbow as well as a lacerated bladder and face fractures.

The post-match celebrations of the U.S. players were more for Davies than finishing atop the Hexagonal standings or qualifying for the World Cup.

"There's more to life than soccer," said Robbie Rogers, who donned the number 9 jersey in Davies' absence. "After what happened to Charlie, you get all that into perspective.

"We play for our country, for our family, for each other, our coaches. This game especially I felt like we were playing for the lost brother that was knocked down. We're just happy he's alive and that he's recovering."

Davies is stable in the hospital and able to respond through squeezing his hand. The team has not been able to visit him, but U.S. coach Bob Bradley has.

"We're a strong team. Whenever we come together, there's a strong camaraderie and they care about each other," asserted Bradley. "It's one of the best parts of being the coach of the U.S. National Team because you see what it means to them when they come into camp. Guys that knew each other many years ago play in different countries and are reunited. When there's an accident like the one that takes place like the other day and it affects one of your brothers, there's strong emotions."

Rogers knew Davies since he was 14. When entering the game 68th minute with Costa Rica leading 2-0, he found himself thinking about his long-time friend as well as trying to turn the match around.

"People try to say, 'It's a soccer game, now you need to focus on the game,' but in the back of your mind you have thoughts of Charlie," Rogers admitted. "I've known him since I was 14 years old so I've kind of grown up with him in the soccer world. So it's more emotional than normal."

The crash is tragic and will likely rob the U.S. of one of its most potent attackers for the World Cup. However, USSF president Sunil Gulati found some optimism in the response of the fans. Those in RFK Stadium cheered and held aloft signs with the number 9 on it in the ninth minute of the match.

"The only way [the display] could have been better is if Conor [Casey] finishes. That chance he had was on the nine minute mark," Gulati said of a chance Casey had one-on-one with the 'keeper after Jozy Altidore did all the hard work to send him clear. "It would have been true poetry. It says a lot about our fans, says a lot about the support the team has, and frankly it says a lot about technology these days. A few people on twitter can get 10,000 people holding up the number 9 sign at the nine minute mark. Conor obviously didn't get the twitter announcement or he would have finished I guess."

Noah Davis, Goal.com, with assistance from Zac Lee Rigg in Los Angeles

See who the 15 most under-rated players are in the October issue of Goal.com Magazine.

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