SoccerAmerica - Angry Davies: 'I'm definitely ready to play' 05/13/2010

[USA] Charlie Davies blames Alexandre Lacombe, president of French club Sochaux, for not making the USA's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup and not having a chance to win a spot on the 23-player final roster at the camp that begins Monday in Princeton, N.J.

"Luis Attaque!" Podcast

"I'm very angry because I feel FC Sochaux has denied me a chance at playing in the World Cup," Davies said on the French radio station RMC's "Luis Attaque!", former French star and coach Luis Fernandez's program, on Wednesday night. "Of course, I'm not at 100 percent now, but I feel that by the time our World Cup camp starts next week I would be at a level where I can compete for one of the forward spot."

Davies had undergone extensive rehab in his bid to resume play after last October's car accident left him with multiple serious injuries, but Lacombe had said several weeks ago that Davies would not be playing for Sochaux again this season. (The French league concludes on Saturday.)

Sochaux did not issue a medical clearance to release him.

"It's frustrating because for the past months I've been training with the team," Davies said. "At the beginning, it was not so well but I've progressed a lot, I continue to progress, I still have to progress but I'm definitely ready to play."

Davies said he received all kinds of support from his Sochaux teammates but is bitter with Lacombe for speaking out without talking with him.

"A month left in the season, the president said to press that I wouldn't play for Sochaux this season," said Davies. "He did it without talking to me, without talking to the doctors, without talking to the coaches."

Davies added that he has never talked with Lacombce since the accident.

U.S. coach Bob Bradley's staff had been monitoring Davies' situation. U.S. fitness coach Pierre Barrieu, who is French, had been in regular contact with the Sochaux staff.

“Charlie has shown incredible heart and determination to reach this point in his recovery," Bradley said on Tuesday. "We have followed his progress extensively during the past several months through physical examinations and personal observation by our staff, and he remained in consideration for this training camp until yesterday. FC Sochaux notified us that at this point Charlie has not been given medical clearance, and that they would not grant his full release to join the camp. Given that status and our own evaluation of his progress, we feel it is Charlie’s best interest to continue his rehabilitation and focus on getting fully prepared to resume his professional and international career.”

Davies' injuries included two broken bones in his right leg, a broken and dislocated left elbow, a broken nose, forehead and eye socket, a ruptured bladder and bleeding on the brain.

His elbow injuries in particular were a concern.

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0 comments

Steven Briggs

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 8:19 a.m.

Davies should accept responsibility for the situation THAT HIS POOR CHOICES CREATED. He certainly didn't intend to be involved in a fatal one-car accident at 3:15 AM, but he chose to break team camp curfew. If he's man enough to make up his own rules, he should be man enough to abide the consequeneces rather than blaming a third party for legitimately assessing his condition.

Jeff Ginn

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 9:14 a.m.

It is about time someone acknowlegded that he brought this upon himself.Steven, you are dead on. When you break the rules there are consequences. I think if I was Bob Bradley I would have squandered the idea of CD9 playing at the 2010WC a long time ago. CD9, I think he is amazing and as a fan I personally want him on the roster.but the example being made here is far greater a lesson to more people than just CD9.I say all this... really wishing he had never been out past curfew because he was the hope for this summer. Now, I'm not sure we have the ability to score enough this summer to have a chance.

Jermaine Gause

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 10:11 a.m.

I totally agree with both of you. By doing this AFTER the decision has been made, paints him as immature and selfish. 1) Why in the hell would you publicly criticize the Team President, aka the man that pays you, if you have no intentions to leave the club? It wasn't Sochaux that told him to disobey team curfew rules, so there is no one to blame but himself. 2) he hasn't played a game since Sept/Oct. He can't possibly find playing form in a three weeks to be considered valuable to the MNT at the WORLD. CUP? He need to realize this, shut his mouth, follow the rules and work on getting his form back time for the Gold Cup next year.... Period!

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 10:29 a.m.

CD shows no respect...if you're not match fit, u don't play...this isn't the NBA, NFL or the NHL which substitute forever...get real CD, accept the situation, make a comeback and look forward to WC 2014...this was not meant to be bro.

Mr G

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 10:54 a.m.

Yeah but. I agree that he brought it on by his past mistake - point made. However, if Charlie's statements are correct (Lacombce acted on his own without team doctors, players, etc.) then perhaps he is more than bitter and ready to leave - and I agree - he sure better be. But if he is nearly fit and the president is just getting back at him or being vindictive, then you can understand why he is upset (and made another mistake in lashing out). I feel for him as it has tried hard to recover from the accident and it does seem like this guy is working against him....

Ted Westervelt

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 10:56 a.m.

If he is ready, and fit, it does cast some additional doubt on personnel choices. I think it was easier for him to vent on his club. Clearly Bradly was at the center of a lobbying effort from his connected bosses at MLS. I think he learned some lessons from the Gold Cup final (if you can't respect your regional cup competition by fielding the best squad, why would you expect anyone else to?) but the jury is still out. We're already a major soccer nation in so many ways. We'll know we've gotten there when there is real scrutiny over this process, and not just another protected bubble in which assurances of a paternal attitude stand in, and our press quietly acquiesces. It's not always about player attitude. Davies has a lot of passion for the game. Something we're not known for. As much as respect for the hierarchy is important - It's great to see his drive, determination, and emotional investment.

Alex g. Sicre

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 12:08 p.m.

CD had extensive injuries, including bleeding of the brain. That to me cries out for complete rehab. To go into a world cup with any doubt of complete fitness with the real possibility of a concussion or worse, would be irresponsible. Bradley did the right thing.

Montele Graves

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 1:05 p.m.

Of course Davies made a mistake and broke curfew but no professional sports organization dismisses a player from the team for one instance. That being the reason is pure speculation and if that is the reason Bradley should call a spade a spade and say so, however I doubt it is. Let's not forget that Gooch has not played a single Serie A game all year and has started every US game he's played in throughout qualifying, nor can he be considered match-fit. Gooch, deserves the chance to be called into camp to prove himself, as does Davies. Not to mention Beasley's injuries & infrequency at Rangers. I would feel differently if the US had multiple world class options. The Sochaux president never spoke to Davies and made comments for the best interest of his club, not that of the player, therefore Davies has the right to speak his mind and doesn't need to silence himself because of who is paying his salary. This is true of any professional sports organization and the same in the Corporate World.

Christopher Holden

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 2:17 p.m.

Well said Montele. The facts are unclear. The team president spoke out without respecting CD. Last time I checked respect is a two way street. I think CD knows how he feels more than anyone else. We are talking about the 30 man preliminary squad -- not the final World Cup team. Bring the man to you face to face for a test (with the entire US team) and then tell him he won't make the final 23 man squad. Dropping CD from the US team before the final cut is just silly. Imagine what CD would mean to the team at the final training camp? Best wishes to CD! GO TEAM USA!

Tom Dugan

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 3:22 p.m.

Stupid Moaner, looks like the accident affected his brain more than he thought. Now, after this stupid whining, he will not only not play on the USMNT, but you can bet your butt he will be cut from the French team too. Not very bright.

Bret Newman

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 4:31 p.m.

I'm going to have to disagree with most of you. It sounds like your saying CD deserves punishment for his past actions. Right now, The USA needs to be successful at the WC at almost all cost. If I were the coach, I would bring CD in camp myself and examine him myself with my trainers and coaches. Were still a month away from the WC, which is still along time. CD could be a lot healthier by then. Were weak at that position, and he could be the difference between us winning or losing. He's that good! And by the way, breaking curfew is a minor thing.

Paul Bryant

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 9:10 p.m.

Charlies Davies has nobody to blame but himself. The sooner he realizes this the sooner he will get over his hurt feelings. I'm glad Bob Bradley did not choose him for the USMNT.

Paul Bryant

commented on: May 14, 2010 at 9:11 p.m.

Bret, this is not a punishment, it's just a fact of life. He not ready to play so he is not going to SA.

Reuben Valles

commented on: May 15, 2010 at 8:56 p.m.

I find it hard to believe that Bob Bradley and the US Mens national team made their choice/selection not to bring CD9 to the World Cup Training Camp based solely on the comments of the Souchaux owner. US Soccer has alot and i mean alot of money. They have had people from US Soccer in France and have viewed video of every practice CD9 has participated in. It is my belief that Bob Bradley and the staff at US Soccer decided CD9 was not ready. I just think they didnt want to come out and say that at this time. Trust me when i say they were not sitting at home, reading the internet, and waiting for Souchaux's owner to give his critque/analysis. US Soccer made their own decision based soley on their own observations. I, too, was saddened by what happened to CD9. I was sorry for CD9, but more for all the fans of US Soccer. We dont quite have enough talent at that level to be without a player of CD9 talent level. It actually pisses me off that he broke curfew was out drinking so late at night b/c it kinda killed are chances of making a great run in South Africa.

Kenneth Barr

commented on: May 15, 2010 at 11:44 p.m.

CD is a frustrated player so I take his lashing out with a grain of salt. Since it says in the article that Sochaux did not give medical clearance for Davies to be selected, it is probably wise that Bradley didn't make an issue out of it and insist on selecting him. If our chances rely solely on Davies, then we really don''t deserve to be there. He have one of the deepest player pool in our history. We have Donovan, Dempsey, Johnson, and others to score for us. CD will keep another four years.

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