Canales Daily: Sorry, Charlie - Sympathy For Striker Bonds USA

Sadness and joy are strong emotions that can bring people together, and with Charlie Davies' accident as the USA clinched a World Cup spot and first place in their group, American soccer fans had both.

Oct 15, 2009 2:25:41 PM

More On : Sochaux, USA

By Andrea Canales

USA forward Charlie Davies is lying in a hospital bed, not speaking, though responding to basic questions by blinking.

A haze of medication and the pain of multiple injuries, (including facial fractures that still need to be operated on) keep his interaction with the outside world at a minimum. His teammates have not yet been allowed in to see him, as he remains in serious condition after surgery.

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Even with more pain and suffering sure to follow in the days ahead, Davies is fortunate to have survived the violent single-car accident in which another passenger, Ashley Roberta, perished.

While more remains to be known about the cause of the accident, the reasons Davies was out at that hour, and the female driver of the vehicle, blame is secondary to the basic facts of the tragic fatality and the extent of the injuries to Davies.

Davies had a breakout performance at the Confederations Cup

Multiple fractures to Davies' right leg (femur and tibia), the one that knocked in the goal against Egypt that started the USA turn-around in the Confederations Cup, have almost certainly demolished his 2010 World Cup dream.

The stunning setback to one of their most promising young players galvanized the U.S. Soccer community. Over Twitter, which Davies himself had enthusiastically made frequent use of to update his fans, the news spread quickly with plans of action to honor the stricken striker.

The fans took to their feet, despite the rain at RFK stadium as the USA played Costa Rica, waving posters of Davies and his #9 aloft in the 9th minute of play.

It didn't happen only in Washington D.C., though. In Utah, for the Major League Soccer game scheduled there, fans also had signs of support and Davies' number held high in the 9th minute of that game. It mattered not that Davies has never played in MLS. As a USA player, he represented the country, and the soccer fans in the Beehive State wanted to express their encouragement.

With a long healing process ahead of him, Davies will likely appreciate the outpouring of condolences and concern.

They have certainly touched his family, who rushed to his bedside on Tuesday. Through U.S. soccer, they released a statement which read in part:

"The Davies family would like to extend their sincere thanks to everyone for their thoughts, messages and prayers. The tremendous support the family has received is of great comfort and much appreciated at this difficult time. Our thoughts also go out to the families and friends of those involved in the accident."

The family also thanked the staff at Washington Hospital Center for the care given Davies, as well as U.S. Soccer for their assistance.

"Charlie is in a serious, but stable condition and is resting after extensive surgery. If you would like to send any messages of support to Charlie, we have set up an e-mail account at CharlieDavies9@yahoo.com."

Over in France, where Davies was just establishing himself as a dynamic attacking option for his new club, Sochaux, the team has set aside part of their main website for messages to Davies.

Charlie Davies was in his first season with FC Sochaux

The posts of "Bon courage, Charlie" go on for multiple pages and grow by the hour.

Terrible news can be a bond of sorts, as people gain new appreciation for the fragility of life and realize even the sporting heroes they admire are as vulnerable as anyone.

The jubilation of the U.S. players who overcame their nerves and emotion to pull level with Costa Rica, especially Jozy Altidore jumping on the sideline with his shirt pulled up to reveal the Davies jersey he was wearing underneath, combined in a heady mix with the fans jumping and cheering in the stands at the close of the match. The steady refrain of "USA!" was intermingled with "Charlie, Charlie!", just as the rain and tears of emotion mixed together.

If the fractures in Davies' bones can come together as tightly as the U.S. Soccer community has for him, the speedy forward will be well on his way to a healthy outcome.

Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America

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