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It's only a small sample size, but it's starting to look like some members of the U.S. national team were cursed following Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Landon Donovan revealed last week he played the match with the H1N1 virus and over the weekend Tim Howard was in goal while Everton were thrashed 6-1 by Arsenal in the Premier League season opener. We can safely say Charlie Davies didn't suffer from any post-Mexico hangover, even if on the mun2 English broadcast Marcelo Balboa repeatedly pronounced his name "Davis" during the telecast. In fact, the former Boston College standout carried his sizzling form into the weekend with his new club in France -- Sochaux -- were he scored twice in a second half loss to reigning Ligue 1 champions Bordeaux, 3-2.
Davies, who became only the fourth American to ever score for the U.S. at Azteca vs. Mexico with his ninth minute goal Wednesday, came on as a second half substitute at the Auguste Bonal stadium for Sochaux and quickly made an impression.
As you can see in the video clip posted below neither goal was that outstanding or noteworthy. They were more the result of hard work inside the box and being in the right place at the right time, much like Davies goal for the U.S. against Egypt in the Confederations Cup.
Hard work is probably the best way to describe the Davies, even with his blinding speed that causes opposing defenders nightmares.
After his junior year in college, Davies could have easily been the top pick in the 2007 MLS Draft. Instead he opted to try his hand in Europe, ultimately landing a spot with Hammarby IF in Sweden. Now is the Swedish Allsvenskan the best league in Europe? No. But Davies spent two full seasons there and most importantly established himself in the team through his own merit and eventually got playing time to the tune of 21 goals in 56 games.
Now is it too quick to jump on the Davies bandwagon and start anointing him the savior for the U.S. 2010 World Cup efforts? Probably, but it's not as outlandish as some of the build-up and pressure U.S. fans put on Eddie Johnson right around this time ahead of the 2006 World Cup. (U.S. fans, myself included, always seem a little to quick to tout "the next big thing.")
The difference here, is that Davies is 23-years-old and heading right toward his prime as a player. He's already proven himself in Sweden and looks to be on his way to making noise in France, too. He didn't enter the U.S. fan consciousness with massive hype and somewhat unrealistic expectations, either. After some scattered appearances for the U.S. starting in 2007, Davies became a player of importance this year. Ever since Bob Bradley decided to give him some run at the Confederations Cup in June, he's taken the ball and run with it.
The obvious lesson here for young Americans looking to head across the pond to Europe, to actually further your career you need to work for a spot in a team and actually get out onto the field and play. Hard work, not P.R. firms, make you an elite player.
Anyway, enjoy Davies goals with a nice Daft Punk song in the background.
