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Player Profile: Charlie Davies
The USA can count on a host of young, exciting attackers, and some of the bigger names have crowded out Charlie Davies. Goal.com's Noah Davis has the scoop on one of America's paciest attackers.
Jan 18, 2009 7:13:36 PM
By Noah Davis
It took some time for Charlie Davies to see the pitch for the United States Men's National Team, but once he did, the 22-year-old didn't make any mistakes. Given the opportunity to start against Trinidad and Tobago in October, the New Hampshire product scored the Americans' lone goal in the 2-1 loss. That success, coupled with the promise he's shown on the field and his blazing speed, required U.S. manager Bob Bradley to call the youngster into his yearly January camp.
After a successful college career at Boston College, Major League Soccer came calling but the former Eagle had other ideas. A training stint with Ajax led to a contract offer from Sweden's Hammarby IF where he's been since 2007. "I believed starting my career in Europe would help me adjust to the atmosphere and cultural aspects of European Football sooner, and I thought it would be better for me in the long run," Davies says.
He had a rough first year in Scandinavia, but repaid manager Tony Gustavsson's faith in him with a hat trick in the team's final match of the season. Davies hasn't stopped scoring since, netting 14 goals in the 2008 campaign.
Still, playing for the United States National Team has always been a goal and he's enjoying the high level of competition in California. "When you train with your country I feel like there is more pressure and very high expectations on each player for every training session, but trainings in both places are very intense and competitive," Davies says.
The Allsvenskan is not in season but Davies has been staying in shape with small-sided games and runs during the week. "In the offseason it is really important to get your rest," he says. "When it has been a long season, it is real good sometimes to let your body heal and get away from soccer for a little while, but you have to stay fit and keep eating healthy. I was able to really rest this break and let my hamstring heal up, but I knew camp started January 4th and I wanted to be ready mentally and physically for the long camp."
Camp culminates with a match against Sweden on January 24 and although Davies is familiar with many of the country's players, the American coaches haven't tapped his knowledge for the upcoming friendly. "The U.S. played Sweden last January, so I think the coaches have a good sense of just how Sweden likes to play," he says. "The coaches know what to expect for the most part, so they really haven't had to use my knowledge of the Swedish players."
Soon Davies could find himself transferring to a bigger club and although he remains mum on where he'd like to play, he's obviously thought about the possibility. "I think it is very important that when I take the next step, it is to a club where I will be able to play consistently and be challenged day in and day out," he offers. "I would like to go somewhere that I can continue my development as a player and play against top competition."
He knows, however, that his work isn't done. "I think I have to be a little more physical on the defensive side of the ball," Davies admits. "Coach Bradley has stressed that I position myself better and be able to do the dirty work when the team needs that of the forwards. I think I have done a good job so far of adjusting, but I have to work hard at it and improve each day."
Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.
It took some time for Charlie Davies to see the pitch for the United States Men's National Team, but once he did, the 22-year-old didn't make any mistakes. Given the opportunity to start against Trinidad and Tobago in October, the New Hampshire product scored the Americans' lone goal in the 2-1 loss. That success, coupled with the promise he's shown on the field and his blazing speed, required U.S. manager Bob Bradley to call the youngster into his yearly January camp.
After a successful college career at Boston College, Major League Soccer came calling but the former Eagle had other ideas. A training stint with Ajax led to a contract offer from Sweden's Hammarby IF where he's been since 2007. "I believed starting my career in Europe would help me adjust to the atmosphere and cultural aspects of European Football sooner, and I thought it would be better for me in the long run," Davies says.
He had a rough first year in Scandinavia, but repaid manager Tony Gustavsson's faith in him with a hat trick in the team's final match of the season. Davies hasn't stopped scoring since, netting 14 goals in the 2008 campaign.
Still, playing for the United States National Team has always been a goal and he's enjoying the high level of competition in California. "When you train with your country I feel like there is more pressure and very high expectations on each player for every training session, but trainings in both places are very intense and competitive," Davies says.
The Allsvenskan is not in season but Davies has been staying in shape with small-sided games and runs during the week. "In the offseason it is really important to get your rest," he says. "When it has been a long season, it is real good sometimes to let your body heal and get away from soccer for a little while, but you have to stay fit and keep eating healthy. I was able to really rest this break and let my hamstring heal up, but I knew camp started January 4th and I wanted to be ready mentally and physically for the long camp."
Camp culminates with a match against Sweden on January 24 and although Davies is familiar with many of the country's players, the American coaches haven't tapped his knowledge for the upcoming friendly. "The U.S. played Sweden last January, so I think the coaches have a good sense of just how Sweden likes to play," he says. "The coaches know what to expect for the most part, so they really haven't had to use my knowledge of the Swedish players."
Soon Davies could find himself transferring to a bigger club and although he remains mum on where he'd like to play, he's obviously thought about the possibility. "I think it is very important that when I take the next step, it is to a club where I will be able to play consistently and be challenged day in and day out," he offers. "I would like to go somewhere that I can continue my development as a player and play against top competition."
He knows, however, that his work isn't done. "I think I have to be a little more physical on the defensive side of the ball," Davies admits. "Coach Bradley has stressed that I position myself better and be able to do the dirty work when the team needs that of the forwards. I think I have done a good job so far of adjusting, but I have to work hard at it and improve each day."
Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.
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