Of all the breakout performances by US players during this summer, one could argue that Charlie Davies' has been the most notable.
Davies was an integral part of the national team's run to the Confederations Cup final, scoring the game winning goal versus Egypt and is now playing a big part in the success of the Stars and Stripes in the current Gold Cup.
After facing the world's best in South Africa last month, the New Hampshire native admits that he is eager to continue his elevated play, but in a more competitive league.
"I definitely think it's time for me to change my scenery," Davies told YA following Wednesday's Gold Cup victory over Honduras.
"Hopefully I can go to a club where I'll get the same chance I did at Hammarby and also step up with the level of competition. I think that's what I need for me to develop as a player and be a big time player coming into the World Cup."
The former Boston College player is in his third season with the Allsvenskan club where he has become one of the most feared forwards in Scandinavia after totaling 21 goals in just over two seasons.
Despite a desire to switch clubs, Davies acknowledges that he owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Swedish club for helping him become a more complete player.
"Coming to Hammarby was the best decision of my life. You've got to really go to a club where you'll play and develop," he noted.
"The most important thing was to test myself in Europe and go to a club where the coach has faith in me, sees the talent and Potential I have and wants to develop that, and I think that was the most important thing for me. I'm definitely grateful for making that decision."
But before Davies flies back across the Atlantic to resume his club career, there is still the task of winning the Gold Cup for the US which includes a visit to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA to take on Haiti.
The excitement of playing near his old backyard is palpable on the face of the Granite State resident who played his high school soccer at Brooks School in North Andover, MA before moving down the road to play three seasons of college ball for the Eagles.
"It's definitely meaningful to be here for the Gold Cup, especially being able to play in Boston in Gillette Stadium, which I've always dreamed of since I was a little kid. It means a lot and I'm grateful that Bob gave me the chance to play in the Gold Cup," the New Englander grinned.
Davies was instrumental in Wednesday's defeat of Honduras by coming off the bench in the second half to assist on Santino Quaranta's goal in the 75th minute which broke the scoreless deadlock and stamped a ticket to the quarterfinals for the Red, White and Blue.
The momentum that head coach Bob Bradley's squad has gained after outscoring their previous two opponents by 6-0 certainly makes the US a favorite advance to the final where the striker and his compatriots could face a Gold Cup final rematch with Mexico should Javier Aguirre's squad qualify for the final.
The rivalry between the two countries has been one-sided as of late in favor of the Yanks, but that does not make a possible encounter against ‘El Tri' any less special for the former ACC standout.
"For me, it would mean a lot. I've always dreamed of playing against Mexico with the national team since I know it's the best game played in the CONCACAF region. It's a great atmosphere so I think it would be a great match and I'd be looking forward to that," Davies continued.
"Soccer is funny. Anybody can win. If somebody has a bad day and Mexico has a good day, then of course Mexico can take the Gold Cup."
The knockout round for the Gold Cup gets underway on July 18th in Philadelphia where the likely Group B winners will square off against the third place team from either Group A or Group C. |
Thursday July 9, 2009
5:41 pm |
Starting with his play against Costa Rica that lead to Donovan's PK, to his work that lead to his scoring against Egypt and his assist on Donovan's goal against Brazil, Charlie Davies has gone out and got the job done this year. He has shown better than any of our other attackers how to work hard and score... he should be with the squad come August 12th at the Azteca.
If he moves on to another team in Europe, then I hope it's one that will continue to give him the opportunity for plenty of playing time.
— Robert Kiernan
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