Charlie Davies looking to lead Revolution to MLS Cup title
LOS ANGELES – Back in 2009, Charlie Davies' career path had taken him to the brink of becoming a national hero, with fame, fortune, the World Cup and big-time success all firmly on his mind.
Now, on the eve of the MLS Cup final against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the New England Revolution forward is the 16th highest-paid player on his squad, far removed from United States national team contention and with many of his dreams of stardom having been forcibly shelved.
Yet the tale of Davies' recent years is actually a success story, with the 28-year-old having rebuilt his life and career following a devastating car accident in October 2009 that killed a female passenger and threatened his ability to walk.
"One second you are thinking about the World Cup," Davies said. "Suddenly you are in a situation where people are talking about things like if you are going to walk again."
Prior to the accident Davies was one of the shining lights of the national team, his pace, tenacity and trickery a key weapon alongside Jozy Altidore in a young and vibrant front line.
He had already moved from Hammarby in Sweden to Sochaux in the French first division, with bigger teams across Europe starting to take note of his consistently impressive performances for club and country. Yet the injuries Davies suffered erased such hopes, with his leg broken in several places, his bladder lacerated, his face fractured and bleeding on the brain.
When he returned to soccer, he was unable to make an impact with Sochaux and spent part of 2011 on loan in MLS with DC United. A return to Europe with Danish side Randers did not work out either, so when Davies signed with the Revolution for the start of the current season it is fair to say he was running out of options and time.
However, in a New England squad that had spent the previous two seasons in fully-fledged rebuilding mode under coach Jay Heaps, Davies found a happy home – energized by both the opportunity and the belief shown in his by the organization. After shrugging off an early season hamstring injury, Davies forced his way into the team, and stayed there.
"I credit Charlie on all of it," Heaps said. "He's been the inspirational guy."
Davies makes just $75,000 per year, a fraction of what he might have expected to rake in had his career followed the track it was on before the events of 2009.
Such a salary is one typically given to an average squad in MLS, but Davies has been outstanding during the latter part of the campaign, as the Revolution burst through the playoffs to set up Sunday's showdown at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif.
Davies has scored four times during the playoffs and though he doesn't have the blistering pace of his youth he still moves at a snappy rate and has greater smarts than even at the time when former U.S. coach Bob Bradley had him as a central part of his plans.
"I think I'm the strongest I've ever been mentally, and I'm always trying to pass it along to my teammates," Davies said. "I've always tried to help guys in the locker room with being positive, because in this career things can change. I want the guys to see how special this occasion is and how lucky we are."
Sunday's final is an intriguing matchup, with the Galaxy favorites primarily on the basis of hosting the contest but with New England flush with the confidence of their late season surge.
L.A. is led by its big names – league MVP Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan, the U.S. legend playing his final game before retirement. The Revolution, however, has firepower of its own, with U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones having provided a major boost since signing mid-season, while midfielder Lee Nguyen has hit the best form of his career at age 28.
And then there is Davies, who may never stop wondering what might have been but is sincerely grateful for the second chance he is determined to grasp.
"I'm ready for this," Davies said. "I have been through a lot, but I have a lot left to give. I am ready to shock some people."