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Confederations Cup: Is Charlie Davies The US's Secret Weapon?
He scored the first goal against Egypt with his hard work and now US striker Charlie Davies is ready to show Spain who he is.
Jun 24, 2009 7:33:38 AM
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa—United States striker Charlie Davies will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Thursday, a day after the US faces Spain in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. There’s really only one birthday present he’d like: a win.
In the first two games of the tournament, the Hammarby marksman saw only sporadic time as a substitute. Neither appearance was particularly remarkable in any way.
But in the third game, against Egypt, the New Hampshire native ground out the first goal, inspiring the team on to a 3-0 win. That result, coupled with Italy’s 3-0 loss to Brazil, miraculously sent the US into the next round. The Yanks now face the number-one team in the world, Spain.
Beating Spain is no easy task. Even tying them is near impossible. They are riding a 15-game winning streak. However, there is a chance that the US will look to pressure the Spaniards, something that few teams have tried. If so, the speedy Davies, who notched 14 goals in the Swedish Allsvenskan league in 2008 and already has six in nine appearances in 2009, will be the key.
In his prematch press conference, Spain manager Vincente del Bosque singled out Davies as a threat. “The other day this player we did not know, Davies, played a very good match,” he said. “They can be dangerous.”
Bob Bradley has been reluctant to use Davies in a starting role, preferring to bring him on in the second half to provide a spark with his pace and his determination. But against Egypt, with the US chasing a miracle, Davies was in the starting XI.
“Charlie brings energy to the game,” Bradley said after the win over Egypt. “We felt that was a good way to go about things.”
“The coach has told me to go in and use my speed and create havoc for the defenders,” Davies told Goal.com a few days ago. He’s been working with the US defenders, particularly Carlos Bocanegra, on learning what runs are most effective. “Everybody says defenders are frightened of my speed. Speed is the thing you can’t teach. But everyone also knows I can score goals.”
Well, not everyone. But they’re discovering it more every day.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
For more on the U.S. National Team visit Goal.com's U.S. National Team page.
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