Charlie Davies: Coming to America?

Europe and their transfer deadline day grabbed all the headlines yesterday and today it was our domestic league's turn. Today Major League Soccer announced the site of the 2011 MLS All-Star Game (Red Bull Arena on July 27th; opponent TBA... more on this later) and it was revealed that Charlie Davies, yes, THE Charlie Davies is returning stateside to trial with D.C. United.

United holds the next available allocation spot and gets first dibs on the U.S. international. Davies will train with the club for a week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then they'll decide whether or not to take the FC Sochaux striker on loan for this season.

D.C. United's Statement:

“Charlie Davies is expected to join D.C. United in Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday for a week-long evaluation period, which will include training and game time with the first team and a full medical evaluation by team doctors in DC. Details of a 12-month loan have already been negotiated, but nothing will be official until D.C. United is satisfied Charlie is physically capable of playing at the level required to be successful in MLS. United currently holds the top spot in the League’s allocation ranking and would therefore have first option to acquire Davies.”

Essentially D.C. is holding Charlies' future in their hands. If they decide he's fit and worth signing CD9 has a shot of making it back to the National Team. If they take a pass on him.... then he's banished back to the French bench and possibly ends any hope that he'll be able to contribute to the USMNT.

That may sound harsh, but international soccer is such. His current team has said that Davies won't see first team action for them this season and if he want to fight for a spot on Coach Bob Bradley's roster for this summer's Gold Cup he's got to get first team minutes, MLS or otherwise. With the European transfer window closed he's not going anywhere on the continent. For Davies its MLS, D.C. and Gold Cup roster... or bust.

As Princess Leia said, "Help me D.C. United... you're my only hope." Or something like that. We're not too good with movie quotes.

Aside: What a weird twist of fate that brings Charlie Davies back to the city where he suffered such a terrible accident. Wonder what that affect that would have on him if he ends up witht D.C.?

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Photo Essay: USA v. Costa Rica in DC

We decided to separate our trip photos into two essay because they're just so many great pics from DC. The first one is all about the game and the fans and our next essay will be more FBM-centric. I was sitting right in the trenches of the American Outlaws and Sam's Army at midfield. I even made it all they way up to the front row after half time. What a night!

As Borat would say, "Great success"!

LD banner on RFK. Wondering if I can get that to put on my house when their done with it?

"When the American Outlaws go marching in!"

More general AO chaos.

Costa Rican fans taunt us with tongs and grill covers. Scary. We respond with "America? Fuck yeah! Costa Rica? Fuck you!"

Face of a soccer warrior.

I'm not going to ask how he got all those beads.

Estadio RFK.

" Oh, say can you see...."

Michael Bradley controlling possession.

9th minute tribute to Charlie Davies.

Leading the cheering charge.

Down 0-2 at half. The situation looks dire.

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL #1.

LD waiting to make a difference.

Show 'em how you REALLY feel!

GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL #2!!!!!

Timmy! Tossing the jersey into the stands.

National pride.

On The Verge of Greatness... Free Beer Match Day Four: US National Team Edition

Dunno, if this place is ready for us.

The Free Beer Movement is off to our nation's capital (Washington DC if you forgot) to attend the US Men's National Soccer team's final World Cup qualifying game against Costa Rica. While the boys in the red, white, and blue booked their ticket to South Africa last Saturday there's all to play for still tomorrow night at RFK Stadium.

For the US its bragging rights, the Americans want to finish at the top of the CONCACAF standing for the second straight time and continue to prove they are still top dog in the region. Costa Rica is still fighting for their spot in next year's global competition. A win will see them punch their ticket where a loss, combined with a Honduras win will see them make the long trip to face South American opposition for the last spot in the Cup.

As per our mission statement, we're dragging along some soccer newbies to share our love of the sport and the suds. This will be the FBM's first Nats game in a few years so there's no need to get us up for the game, but for a few it will be their first chance to see our boys (and hopefully, Frankie Hejduk!).

We'll be partying it up with soccer fans and newbies alike, along with the Nats supporter group, The American Outlaws. Check out all of there info on their site about where the pre-game, during game, and post-game bashes will take place.

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