Charlie Davies red-hot start to his tenure in MLS has hit a snag, with a hamstring injury suffered in Saturday's match against Colorado expected to keep him sidelined for a couple of weeks.
D.C. United is off this week, which means Davies shouldn't miss too many matches, but the timing of the injury is unfortunate for his chances of earning a call up to the U.S. national team camp for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
U.S. head coach Bob Bradley attended the match to scout Bradley, and is expected to name his Gold Cup squad later this week. With just three weeks to go before the start of the tournament, Davies may wind up having to wait a bit longer to make his first U.S. national team appearance in 20 months.
Think Davies can make it back in time to be a part of the Gold Cup team? Which forwards would you like to see Bradley bring to the Gold Cup?
Share your thoughts below.
Many folks seem to have forgotten that Taylor played and played well while at TuS Koblenz. When Koblenz was relegated to 3.BL, they sold Taylor to FSV Frankfurt who had just been promoted to 2.BL. He played well when called upon. Speaking from experience (albiet the 5th Div. Bierliga), it’s tough to crack a German squad when you’re a Yank (I was 40). Buddle was good at LA b/c the players servicing him. So, just imagine what Taylor could do with the Nats. Despite injuries at FC Ingolstadt, Buddle has played well when called upon. Taylor is approaching 30, so the Gold Cup would likely be his last chance regardless of his performance next season. My point has been all along that the guy is on fire and should be given a shot at the camp–that’s all–prove himself in camp and see how he matches up to the others. Instead, I get racked over the coals by Ives and others for even comparing him to the others. Did he fare well in MLS, no, and neither did Gomez. I like his game after seeing him play several times at Koblenz and FSV Frankfurt.
Strikers should be
Jozy, Gomez, Buddle and Agudelo or Bunbury. You only need 1 of the latter 2. Most likely we’ll play 4-5-1 anyway so no need for 5 strikers, maybe even 4. Gomez is good as a super-sub. Buddle, well he gives you strong hold-up play and most likely is his last chance with the NT. Jozy maybe not as good as 2 years ago, is still our best striker.
KENNY COOPER!
I’m not arguing with you. You could be right, I don’t know. I don’t claim to know to much about the 3rd Bundesliga and how it stacks up against the Mexican league, MLS, etc. I do know that I have never been impressed with Buddle or Gomez. And I also know that Taylor will be playing in the 2nd Bundesliga next season and will get a chance to outperform Buddle against the same competition.
I like Dempsey playing up top off a target striker. In my opinion, it is his natural position. To be honest, he ends up doing anyway when he plays wide. Which is fine, except that it leaves the left back isolated. People complain that we need a left back who can get forward. But in my opinion, if we put Dempsey wide left, we need a left back who can defend because getting forward will only lead to massive counter attacking opportunities for the opponent.
I would take that first international match with a grain of salt. He was asked to play a role he was unfamiliar and seemingly incapable of playing. Not saying he is good enough, just wouldn’t base it off that one performance.
Agreed. Dempsey certainly goes missing as a USMT wing. I still think his best spot for USMNT is up top as a recessed or target type.
I didn’t think Davies was quite ready.. so maybe this is a blessing and gives his psyche a reason for not making the roster.
Hey, I’ll take a 2-week layoff from a hamstring tweak over an 18-month layoff from a busted leg, elbow, kidney, and head any day of the week.
Only when I know I’m right, and would bet my paycheck against BB’s on it.
Jozy, Agudelo, Wondolowski, Findley.
We must not have been watching the same matches this season ha.. He didn’t seem to be international class in his previous (albeit his 1st) cap either.
Wondo. Best pure finisher in the USA
Why is the US still hurting for forwards. There are guys who hurt my eyes to watch (IE Findley) and now we got a solid player in Davies who is hurt.
Well that sucks. He can kiss the Gold Cup goodbye then
Again, not really Dempsey. I love the guy but one of his biggest weaknesses is tracking back on defense…at least for Fulham. Generally because he is always cutting inside, which is cool it is his style. To be honest, the best comparison I can think for him is a more intense Arshavin.
I was about to say Bunbury has done nothing in the last month and would be selected on name at this point
No, it won’t. He has a hammy injury and even any fool knows trying to run with it too soon has a good chance of making it worse.
Fleet of foot? Not especially, and I never accused him of it. But his work rate IS rather high, he’s coming off of a season that kept his work rate high. Furthermore, he can lash shots from distance. Perhaps Rooney-esque is the wrong descriptor; I simply mean a deep lying forward that tracks back to defend and collect the ball deep, then gets forward.
Yeah but Bunbury looked VERY Poor against the galaxy the other night. Would rather see Buddle.
Just Kidding ; )
Agudelo, Altidore, Boon-boon-re, Gomez
Sorry Charlie, I want you back, but these things take time.
Ching, Casey, Findley, Buddle
non-flaming? i guess saying that “scount” is a combo of scout and mount used in some circles in San Fran would violate (no pun intended) your non-flaming enjoyment Pete
Does Bradley really have to scout him to know what he can do? He was a starter before his injury and there’s plenty of tape on his games this year in MLS. The only reason to scout him is if he’s looking for a reason not to invite him
If he’s able to play, the Gold cup should be an automatic for him. We need him back in the Nat pool a whole lot more than others that will get called that can’t either even make the bench for their club teams or play limited minutes.
For once I hope Bradley does the right thing
And here we go again…
Darn….I was really looking forward to having him back.
I don’t, sorry. Looks like I need to get a more creative tag, though 🙁
Dead on my friend. Work rate and being fleet of foot are not Dempsey’s strong suits.
Dempsey’s work rate? Are you kidding? He is a good player but he has never been a high-energy type. Nothing like Rooney.
uh oh….is this gonna bring out the “72% healthy Davies is better than a 100% (insert forward name here)”
Hey Duck, do you post over on Cottage Corner?
Davies isn’t in NT form right now, IMO. Needs some more time, and an ideal return would be in fall friendlies. Dempsey up top with either Bunbury or Agudelo would be enough, with Jozy on the bench with the one that isn’t starting. I would really like Dempsey to play a Rooney-esque deep-lying forward role to take advantage of his shot taking ability and work rate, and an in-form Davies in front to stretch out the defense for him (but he’s not in-form, such is life).
Looks like we are going to have to develop a ‘Taylor Time’, sponsored by Kaiser
This may sound odd…but happy that Davies is getting a hammy injury… typically that happens when guys try to run full out… if he feels he can run full out with no fear that means his car wreck injuries are truly a thing of the past… get well CD9 WC2014 is closer than you think!!
You are a persistent fella.
I’m happy for Davies and his return to form and rise in the MLS, but keep in mind this is the MLS. Maybe it’s time BB give Matthew Taylor a call. I hear he is fit and scoring plenty of goals in Germany. Yanks Abroad suggested Gomez get a call…bahaahaahaahaaa!
Excellent.
THIS is the non-flaming good humor I love to see on blogs.
Very nice, PG.
hahahaha
Dear Bob Bradley, Diskeruud, not Kljestan… PLEASE!
What? Welcome to Twitter nation I suppose.
Bummed about CD9. I had come around to the notion that he could help the USMNT in the gold cup, but the timing of his injury should keep him off the squad. “Two weeks minimum” was the quote from his coach. Oh well, I’m now convinced we’ll see him back in a USA jersey soon enough.
omg how long have you been watching football (soccer)? Scount is when you scout for the national team, hence the NT at the end. Duh.
scount?
I awlays hate the snarks who can’t wait to “correct” you. BUT…
First line, third parapgraph should be “…to scount Davies”