A "Special Moment" For Charlie Davies and American Soccer

Photo Credit: MLSSoccer.com/Getty Images.

An American soccer nation watched with great anticipation Saturday night at DC United opened their 2011 Major League Soccer campaign against the Columbus Crew; questions abound and focused on one player: Mr. Charlie Davies.

Would he see the field? Would he play a meaningful role? Would we see flashes of 2009? Would he score? Would he stanky legg?

Charlie Davies played. Charlie Davies scored. Charlie Davies stanky legg'ed.

An American soccer nation exhaled. For 522 days we waited in earnest. We first held number nine signs in DC and all other corners of the United States. We wrote letters e-mails, and tweeted our support throughout his recovery. We followed news of his miraculous rehabilitation and recovery; wondering if he would have a shot at this past summer's World Cup.

He would not. The American soccer nation's reaction was mixed. Pundits pontificated, Monday morning centerbacks (?) with their blogs, and office water cooler discussions ensued.

A lull in the "Charlie Davies Watch" rolled over the American soccer nation. The USMNT made a decent run in South Africa, but afterwards, after not a single U.S. forward found the back of the net, it resumed. We waited to see if he would feature for his club, FC Sochaux, post-World Cup, but he would not.

Despair washed over an American soccer nation. Was hope lost? Would this bright, young star ever see first-team soccer again?

Major League Soccer and DC United would answer these questions. He would trial. He would train. He would sign.

When Davies' United teammates parted for him to walk to the penalty kick spot Saturday night an American soccer nation held its collective breath. A year and a half we watched, waiting, worried. The buzz that carried through the crowd when Davies entered in the 56th minute now spilled over into mass euphoria when he buried his spot kick in the 63rd. When he bagged his second on the night and celebrated with the stanky legg you could've solved the nation's energy crisis if someone could've figured out a way to capture the crowd's electricity.

Five hundred and twenty-two days ago his comeback journey began. The journey is not over. There's an entire MLS season to still be played, but as one watched Davies' tear-filled post-game interview an American soccer nation knew that this moment, that appearance, those goals were the end of another chapter in this Hollywood comeback tale. The next chapter, of course, is his return to National Team duty.

Major League Soccer gets a lot of stick for how they run and market their league, but the return of Charlie Davies to first-team, professional soccer in their league is one thing they can really hang their hat on. Forget David Beckham and forget weird playoff structures and remember that MLS (and DC United) played a role in bringing Davies back from the brink.

For an American soccer nation we were able witness to a special night. Davies called it a "special moment" and for his supporters and well-wishers we were able to join him in that moment.

An American soccer nation will be here waiting for his next special moment. Just like we have all along.



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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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What a Tease!

We know.... we know....

Certainly it wasn't expected that Charlie Davies get some PT today for FC Sochaux, but by throwing the rehabbed USMNTer in the 18, American soccer fans got their collective hearts up, hoping that the kid would see some first-team minutes. The first since his horrific car accident back in October of 2009.

Perhaps we'll see CD9 this Wednesday as Sochaux faces Monaco?

If you're looking for a silver lining to the whole morning... we did manage to watch the first 90 minutes of France's Ligue 1 that we can remember that didn't involve one of their sides getting hammered in the Champions League.

So we got that going for us.... which is nice.


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The April 6th Tribute for Charlie Davies

The 9th Minute Tribute to Charlie Davies. Live and in person. Respect. (Photo by Dan, FBM Founder)

The ninth minute of the United States National Team's final World Cup Qualifier on the night of October 14th, 2009 was one of the most powerful moments of the past year in American soccer, if not its entire history. Free Beer Movement Founder Dan was proud to be among those in the crowd holding his "9" sign sky high during those dramatic 60 seconds.

Given the fact that only a few short months earlier the U.S. knocked off Spain in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup and pushed Brazil to the brink in the finals loss it is saying something significant that one minute outshone an entire tournament and a successful World Cup Qualifying campaign.

In that one minute thousands of American fans stood (and watched on TV and followed across the Internets) as one in a loud, smoke and sign filled tribute to Charlie Davies, who was critically injured in a car accident on the Tuesday morning before the National Team was to play Costa Rica.

In a campaign hastily and brilliantly organized with great support from our friends at The Shin Guardian, the American Outlaws, and Eric at the Baltimore Brigade (designer of the "number 9" sign) and joined by a worldwide network of soccer fans, news media outlets, and reporters/commentators, RFK Stadium became the center of the soccer universe for one intensely emotional moment.

And now we're asking for you all to help again.

The Shin Guardian, the American Outlaws, the Free Beer Movement, and others are joining forces to re-tribute Charlies Davies today.

We want to flood Twitter, Facebook, your own websites, online and offline with continued support for Davies recovery and efforts to make the USMNT's plane to South Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen: The April 6th Tribute to Charlie Davies. Click for Twitter Re-tweet instructions and more information from The Shin Guardian about this amazing day!

You're almost there CD9! Keep up the great work. South Africa is next!

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Who We're Buying a Beer For...

More Major League Soccer love this week as two of our three brewski honorees hail from the domestic league while the other is a product of the American college system.

1) Landon Donovan

The cross-the-pond Major League Soccer product made waves this past week scoring his first goal for his English Premier League team, Everton. It was no Clint Dempsey super-strike, but the goal put LD on the score sheet and fueled Internet rumors of an extend loan deal for the Los Angeles midfielder.

As we've said time and time again any goal-scoring exploits for our boys overseas is good for the domestic game and the American soccer movement. Even if Lando doesn't come back at the beginning of the MLS season he is still a developmental success story for the league.

Donovan is the highest profile player MLS has ever had and continued success aboard is only going to help the US National Team this summer in South Africa. Fans of American soccer have to balance the want of Nats team success versus that of the league's profile with or without LD. It's a tough call, but we're willing to sacrifice the Galaxy's 2010 success at the expense of a Landon Dovovan sharp off a half season in the EPL.

Donovan's contributions to his new Everton side have already been well received by the Toffee faithful and his and fellow Nat Tim Howard's stellar play in goal has reversed the club's fortune's in England.

Here's the goal (fingers cross it hasn't been lawsuited out of the Inter-web-o-sphere):



2) Stu Holden

Speaking of developmental success stories for MLS... Stu Holden, a midfielder for the Houston Dynamo or should we say former midfielder for the Houston Dynamo. The USMNT starlet (and current replacement for Dempsey if he can't shake his injury) penned a loan deal with English Premier League mid-tablers Bolton.

Word on the street is that the "Iceman" is suffering from a mid-hamstring strain and so he didn't feature in the Wanders weekend action, but should see some PT real soon.

Going back to our point above; even as we, as fans of MLS, mourn the loss of our marquee players to foreign league, we need to be proud that the products of our league are desired in far away places. For now and the near future the league is focused on smart growth and player development. Obviously, there is the want to increase the level of play and, of course, the compensation of the players in the league (something up for discussion during the current collective bargaining agreement talks), but until the day comes that Major League Soccer is sustainable, compete salary-wise with the big boys, and an attractive option for American players and others we need to be satisfied that our league's best and wanted aboard.

If you managed to get through that last run-on sentence then congrats. The same congrats we want to extend to Holden for making the jump to the EPL. Even though the Dynamo will be hurting without him (and Ricardo Clark who made the jump to Germany.... probably should get him a beer, too) for the 2010 season each player no one would ever argue that Holden made the wrong call taking a European vacation.

3) Charlie Davies

ESPN's Ives Galarcep reported this past week that USMNT striker Charlie Davies was making a better, and faster, than expected recovery from his injuries sustained in that horrific car crash back in October 2009. Galarcep spoke to Davies and his training on his progress and received tons of welcome news for Nats team fans.

"Charlie is pretty much light years ahead of where anybody would tell you he should be," said Jim Hashimoto, the former U.S. national team trainer who is overseeing Davies rehabilitation. "When everybody heard about the accident, including myself, it was like, 'OK, this is going to be a long one' -- and it's still going to be a long one, but to see his progress is pretty amazing."

Just when it seemed as though the top players for the National Team we're going to be sidelined for South Africa our fortunes reversed. News out of England reported that Dempsey's injury is not as serious as previously thought, Jay DeMeritt is back from his eye injury, Gooch is on the mend in Italy, and Maruice Edu is seeing playing time at Rangers in Scotland again after an extend layoff.

With the USMNT squad looking more secure going forward it makes results like the friendly against Honduras look less troubling. With our European regulars manning the front lines against England on June 12th things are looking up.

Final words Charlie?

"I know I can come back and be one of the best strikers in the world. I know with the improvement that I'm making, if I can continue that with this new feeling I have now, it's going to be tough to stop me.I plan on making a difference at the World Cup."

Fuckin' sweet.

Who We're Buying a Beer For...

This week's beers are being handed out in sympathy for a number of individuals, animals, and organizations.

1) Charlie Davies

Multiple sources have reported that the injured USMNTer is making great progress on his road to recovery. Davies mentioned in an interview with ESPN this week that he expects to be playing in South Africa this June for the World Cup.

Now we don't have a medical degree, but we do watch a lot of the hit TV show, House, so we've got a knack for unique approaches when it comes to health care. Hear us out... have a beer. That might really get the blood flowing!

It's so crazy is just might work!

In all honesty, though, Davies on the mend is a great sign for the young American star, but continuing the medical positivity is that a number of other American internationals are seeing their fortunes on the rise when it comes to shaking the injury bug.

A beer for all those USMNTers shaking off the cobwebs in time for the 2010 World Cup!

2) South African Cows

Beef in the World Cup 2010 host nation is at risk of being sacrificed for good luck at each of the game venues, this according to the the BBC.

Various touchy-feely groups across the continent and several abroad have gotten their undies in a bunch over it, but supporters call it a "truely African" way to celebrate Africa's first World Cup.

To be honest, we've got no horse in the race (or cow!), but if these noble creatures find themselves on death row before the 2010 tourney let us be the ones to buy them their last drink.

"Cow... what do you want on your tombstone?"
"Fuck it... give me a beer."

3) The United Soccer Leagues

Could any organization being any more fucked that the USL right now?

Yes, I suppose the Taliban are sure fucked now with 30,000 more troops on their way to Afghanistan. Good answer.

The Secret Service? Yes... I another good answer. They did royal screw up letting those two reality TV attention whore into the White House reception for the Indian Prime Minister.

But that's besides the point. The USL is hemorrhaging teams to the competing North American Soccer League, bankruptcy, and pure collapse faster that anyone can keep track. At the time we wrote this the league only had four teams left (including one that has never played a competitive game and looks in a poor position to get off the ground and other that is leaving for Major League Soccer in a year.

The big question is why any of those teams are still hanging around in the USL right now (including my own Austin Aztex)? Have you seen the 2010 schedule? (ha ha!)

I propose a summit between the dead carcass that is the USL and the we-don't-know-quite-what-it-is-yet-but-it-at-least-has-teams-in-its-league-NASL over a bunch of tasty brews. Something like when that white cop and that black professor got into that tiff about them professor breaking into his own home earlier in the year. President Barack Obama could settle it all for us . Because the United States Soccer Federation sure as hell has been sitting on their hands a lot over this.

This is a complete side note, but entirely related, but the falling, flaming soccer ball on the USL crest is looking awfully ironic right now.

Certainly there are a lot of people in the situation in need of a beer to settle the differences or at least one to cry into.

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.