
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2009, file photo, United States soccer player Charlie Davies sings his national anthem prior to a 2010 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Davies was injured in a single-car accident in the Washington, D.C., area in which one person died early Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 . U.S. Soccer Federation Neil Buethe says Davies was in stable condition and that his injuries are not life-threatening, but required more than 5 hours of surgery. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File)
Promising USA forward Charlie Davies was in a car that crashed early Tuesday morning in Maryland. The United State's Mens National Team are in DC for Wednesday night's match against Costa Rica.
Davies has played in 13 matches for the US in 2009, starting 9 and tallying three goals and three assists. Davies played 78 minutes in the US 3:2 win over Honduras last weekend that saw them qualify for a 2010 World Cup spot.
NEW this Wednesday: USA fans to rally around Davies at tonight's match against Costa Rica, holding up "#9" cards in the 9th minute of the match, which will be televised live on ESPN2. at 5:00 PM Seattle time.
ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. national team forward Charlie Davies had several broken bones and a lacerated bladder after a one-vehicle accident Tuesday in which another person was killed.
Davies underwent several hours of surgery at Washington Hospital Center Medstar, where he was listed in serious but stable condition. The injuries make it unlikely Davis will play in next year’s World Cup.
The tibia and femur in Davies’ right leg were broken. He also sustained facial fractures and a fracture in his left elbow in the accident, which took place at about 3:15 a.m. in the suburbs of the nation’s capital.
Davies will be hospitalized for at least a week and additional operations will be required to stabilize his broken elbow and possibly the facial fractures.
"Injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation," said Dr. Dan Kalbac, a U.S. team doctor who collaborated with the doctors at the hospital. "Due to Charlie’s fitness level, his prognosis for recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved."
Steven Goff of the Soccer Insider writes: Charlie Davies, a starter for the U.S. national soccer team, underwent several hours of surgery for non-life threatening injuries suffered in a fatal auto accident early Tuesday on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the U.S. Soccer Federation said.
Details of the surgery were not made available, but a USSF spokesman said the injuries were "possibly" career-threatening.
The one-car accident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on the southbound lanes of the parkway near the Memorial Bridge. A park police spokesman told reporters that the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and struck a metal railing. A woman died at the scene. It is unclear whether Davies was the driver or one of two passengers.
The team learned of the accident late in the morning. Breakfast was optional for the players, so when Davies did not appear, there was no concern. There were no official team functions scheduled until lunch. Coach Bob Bradley addressed the players in a meeting room at the team hotel in Pentagon City.
Soccernet.com: US striker Davies injured in car accident
NBC Washington: includes photos of car
Better days: Davies having fun on youtube dance clip
Interview: A clip from just over a month ago
Goal fun: Davies scores for Hammerby as announcers go for the humor
We will update this post as news happens.
