U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies will be hospitalized "for at least a week" following surgery to repair numerous fractures and a lacerated bladder suffered in a one-car accident early Tuesday morning in Arlington, Va.A federation doctor said that "injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of 6-12 months and extensive rehabilitation," making it likely that the 23-year-old will miss next summer's World Cup.
A 22-year-old Maryland woman was killed in the crash, which occurred at around 3:15 AM. The identity and condition of the third passenger still hasn't been released, and the relationship between the pair and Davies is unclear. The NBC affiliate in Washington posted pictures of the mangled SUV on its Web site, while The Washington Post's Steven Goff reported that Davies was indeed in violation of a national team curfew.
U.S. Soccer said that Davies suffered fractures to the femur and tibia in his right leg, his left elbow and his face, in addition to the injured bladder. Doctors inserted titanium rods in both leg bones "with no complications," according to the federation. He will need additional surgeries on his elbow and possibly his face. Dr. Dan Kalbac, who issued the 6-12 months prognosis, said that thanks to Davies' fitness level, "his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved."
The U.S. will face Costa Rica in its qualifying finale Wednesday night at RFK Stadium. U.S. coach Bob Bradley will not bring in a replacement for Davies for the game, but appears to face the prospect of planning for the World Cup without one of American soccer's rising stars.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-14-2009 @ 12:10AM
booe817 said...
Wow! Good luck on your recovery Charlie. You will definitely be missed.
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10-15-2009 @ 2:20AM
Morgy said...
Get well soon. I am so sorry about the accident. Sounds horrific. We will be praying for you.
10-14-2009 @ 12:18AM
berrg said...
i'm so sorry to hear about his accident...i'm from georgia, and was so proud to see someone from our state representing our state on the international level. my best goes out to his loved ones and family members and for safe recovery...
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10-14-2009 @ 3:04AM
bluerange308 said...
Best wishes Charlie, hang in there kid! God speed to those that were killed.
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10-14-2009 @ 8:07AM
ted said...
oops..gotto hurt
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10-14-2009 @ 8:35AM
df1tomkat said...
Sorry the dude got hurt, but "star" hardly describes this guy's sports status. Soccer will NEVER BE a major sport in this country, despite ESPN's (and other's) desperate attempts to force feed it to the US.
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10-14-2009 @ 9:55AM
Fonzi said...
Rising star is the appropriate way to describe Charlie. He has risen from Youth Soccer, excelling in College, Heading to Europe and establishing himself in Ligue-1 (one of the top 5 soccer leagues in the world) while breaking through this summer at the Confederations Cup for the US National Team.
df1tomkat, stay classy, way to take a tragedy to a great player and somebody who represent the stars and stripes internationally to propegate your anti-soccer agenda. Fact is, soccer grows in this country every day (look at ratings, attendance, national team results, youth participation, etc etc etc). Hell, more than 3 million AMERICANS filled the stands in June-August for this years "Summer of Soccer". Just wait till next year's World Cup Ratings. If the US is awarded the World Cup in 2018 or 2022, watch out, Soccer will EXPLODE stateside.
God Speed Charlie, can't wait to see you once again wearing the Stars and Stripes and singing our national anthem soon!
10-16-2009 @ 6:34PM
morgy said...
It's starting to become a major sport. More, and more people like it.
10-15-2009 @ 9:31AM
refschubee said...
Well said Fonzi in your reply. df1tomkat hates soccer but probably loves those other well known sports like lacrosse or beach volleyball. Now those are real sports! lol
10-15-2009 @ 2:12PM
haledav said...
This will come as a shock to my six year old and the hundreds of thousands (maybe millions) of kids who play soccer every weekend at schools throughout the US. You are obviously a trailer park bound loser who hasn't a clue. Slow down with the "Buds" and start looking around at real life, Bozo.
10-14-2009 @ 12:54PM
blahblah said...
Looking forward to watching the game tonight even though we clinched. Wish he didn't break curfew and get injured. After Saturday's night win I would just continue tonight with Casey as a striker for Davies. Wondering how the Altidore and Casey combo will play out.
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10-14-2009 @ 12:59PM
zippertheslipper said...
At zero dark thiry in the morning, I find it hard to find anyone on the roads, since the streets are deserted and such. When out and about at those wee late night/early morning hours, it is good to have drunk a good strong cup of java, open the windows for fresh air and play some nice tunes on the radio for being alert.
Other than that, soccer can make inroads in the USA if they would let them play similar to hockey, body checks and the like and no offsides penalties make it more like basketball, which will provide for many more scoring opportunities. we need goals, lots of them.
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10-14-2009 @ 4:51PM
Kaye said...
I knew the young lady that was killed and my thoughts and prayers are with her family. God bless you and keep you, A. You will be missed.
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10-14-2009 @ 5:03PM
obamaizamarxist said...
Good driving. A woman dies, and these dopey reporters are worried about when he can play soccer again..You can't make it up.
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10-14-2009 @ 6:36PM
discojayne22 said...
What r u doing out at 3 am anyhoo???????
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10-14-2009 @ 6:37PM
discojayne22 said...
what r u doing out at 3 am anyway??????
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10-15-2009 @ 8:54AM
itbeezdatroof said...
Where's the "star"? Looks to me like some random mugshot of your "typical" criminal.
Soccer is for wusses who aren't man enough to play real man's football.
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10-15-2009 @ 11:13AM
tj said...
I hope we find more details out. If he was driving if there was alcohol involved and if there was and he was driving he should be prosecuted. Im sorry to hear he was hurt but find it crazy that most people on here are only worried about him and not the person who died or her family.
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