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The Tackle: Charlie Davies At A Crossroads
The forward has griped about his club team publicly.
May 18, 2010 3:24:00 PM
By Noah Davis
On Monday, United States Men's National Team coach Bob Bradley spoke about the advice he gave Charlie Davies as the striker attempted to recover from life-threatening injuries and make the World Cup roster.
"If you can find a way to work and put everything into it and maybe not have so much to say, I think it would work for you," the manager said he told the player.
It was good advice the American hasn't heeded.
Davies, of course, did not make the 30-man U.S. roster. He was ruled out after the U.S. staff observed his progress and also received a note from FC Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe stating the former Boston College Eagle wasn't physically ready and, therefore, the club wouldn't release Davies. The Americans could have protested the decision, but they believed the emerging star wouldn't return in time. The striker, who will turn 24 during the World Cup, was angry about the decision but reserved most of his venom for Lacombe.
"Since the accident I have not spoken with the president of FC Sochaux," Davies said. "He has not spoken with me. He has not given me any explanation. He hasn't given me a reason why he has not said I can play. He has not given me a reason why he sent the U.S. national team a letter saying he didn't understand why they put me on the provisional roster and he didn't understand why they would call me and that I can't play and that they would not release me."
While his disappointment is understandable, Davies needs to be careful. Although he showed signs of greatness, he's far from an established star. Instead, the New Hampshire native is a young American attempting to return from a horrific injury that's at least partially the result of his immaturity. Davies can't afford to burn his bridges at Sochaux; who knows where he'd get another chance.
To his credit, the striker didn't say he wanted to leave the Ligue 1 side, vowing to return to his goal-scoring ways. (Davies netted two tallies in six appearances before his October accident after finding his way past the goalkeeper 21 times in 56 matches at Hammarby.)
"I still feel I owe my teammates and I owe the fans of Sochaux to do well and contribute in the way that I can, which is to score many goals and create many opportunities for the team to win," he said.
Still, Davies' comments directed at Lacombe are concerning. He's entitled to his opinion -- and, if he's speaking the truth, perhaps in the right to be a bit miffed at the president for going over his head -- but he needs to learn the difference between what should be said in public and what should be dealt with behind closed doors. While the communication lines between the player and the Sochaux head were flawed, venting frustrations through the media won't help achieve any of Davies' goals.
It's possible the forward needed to clear his mind, say his piece, and move on. Since speaking out last week, he's has said little publicly. He's been quiet on Twitter, only Tweeting once since May 11. During his rehab, the forward used the site frequently to send inspirational messages, update his progress, and communicate with fellow teammates (notably Stuart Holden). The feedback he received from his more than 40,000 followers must have helped him keep going.
Now, however, he needs to stay in the background, focus on recovering, and let the U.S. team hog the spotlight. Davies won't be under the watchful eye of Bradley in the American camp, but the coach is still his manager. The striker would do well to listen.
Noah Davis (@noahedavis) covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com and will be reporting from the World Cup in South Africa.
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page
"If you can find a way to work and put everything into it and maybe not have so much to say, I think it would work for you," the manager said he told the player.
It was good advice the American hasn't heeded.
Davies, of course, did not make the 30-man U.S. roster. He was ruled out after the U.S. staff observed his progress and also received a note from FC Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe stating the former Boston College Eagle wasn't physically ready and, therefore, the club wouldn't release Davies. The Americans could have protested the decision, but they believed the emerging star wouldn't return in time. The striker, who will turn 24 during the World Cup, was angry about the decision but reserved most of his venom for Lacombe.
"Since the accident I have not spoken with the president of FC Sochaux," Davies said. "He has not spoken with me. He has not given me any explanation. He hasn't given me a reason why he has not said I can play. He has not given me a reason why he sent the U.S. national team a letter saying he didn't understand why they put me on the provisional roster and he didn't understand why they would call me and that I can't play and that they would not release me."
While his disappointment is understandable, Davies needs to be careful. Although he showed signs of greatness, he's far from an established star. Instead, the New Hampshire native is a young American attempting to return from a horrific injury that's at least partially the result of his immaturity. Davies can't afford to burn his bridges at Sochaux; who knows where he'd get another chance.
To his credit, the striker didn't say he wanted to leave the Ligue 1 side, vowing to return to his goal-scoring ways. (Davies netted two tallies in six appearances before his October accident after finding his way past the goalkeeper 21 times in 56 matches at Hammarby.)
"I still feel I owe my teammates and I owe the fans of Sochaux to do well and contribute in the way that I can, which is to score many goals and create many opportunities for the team to win," he said.
Still, Davies' comments directed at Lacombe are concerning. He's entitled to his opinion -- and, if he's speaking the truth, perhaps in the right to be a bit miffed at the president for going over his head -- but he needs to learn the difference between what should be said in public and what should be dealt with behind closed doors. While the communication lines between the player and the Sochaux head were flawed, venting frustrations through the media won't help achieve any of Davies' goals.
It's possible the forward needed to clear his mind, say his piece, and move on. Since speaking out last week, he's has said little publicly. He's been quiet on Twitter, only Tweeting once since May 11. During his rehab, the forward used the site frequently to send inspirational messages, update his progress, and communicate with fellow teammates (notably Stuart Holden). The feedback he received from his more than 40,000 followers must have helped him keep going.
Now, however, he needs to stay in the background, focus on recovering, and let the U.S. team hog the spotlight. Davies won't be under the watchful eye of Bradley in the American camp, but the coach is still his manager. The striker would do well to listen.
Noah Davis (@noahedavis) covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com and will be reporting from the World Cup in South Africa.
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page
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