Fans show support for injured US player Davies

WASHINGTON — Fans of the U.S. national team planned to show their support Wednesday night for forward Charlie Davies, following an automobile accident that has jeopardized his soccer career.

The Baltimore Brigade supporters group encouraged fans to hold up a white card with a black No. 9 — Davies’ jersey number — during the ninth minute of the U.S. team’s World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.

U.S. teammate Jozy Altidore used his Twitter account to urge fans to send e-mails to Davies: “Ok guys u can send ALL your well wishes 2 Charlie, email charliedavies9 at yahoo.com, they r printing all notes and bringing them 2 him! THX”

Davies remained in serious but stable condition Wednesday at Washington Hospital Center Medstar. He will be hospitalized for at least a week and is expected to take six to 12 months to recover, all but ruling him out for the World Cup, which begins in South Africa on June 11.

Davies broke two bones in his right leg and one in his left elbow, and he sustained a lacerated bladder and facial fractures in the accident early Tuesday, which claimed the life of a 22-year-old Maryland woman. Davies had several hours of surgery, and additional operations will be required to stabilize the elbow and possibly the facial fractures.

U.S. Park Police Sgt. David Schlosser said reconstructing the one-vehicle accident will be complicated and the investigation will take several days at least. Davies and the driver, whom authorities have not publicly identified, survived the crash, which took place in the Virginia suburbs around 3:15 a.m.

The 23-year-old Davies was a strong candidate to start for the U.S. team at the World Cup. He played in 13 games, with nine starts, for the Americans this year, scoring three goals with three assists. He started in the 3-2 victory over Honduras on Saturday that clinched the U.S. team’s World Cup berth.

His absence leaves Jozy Altidore, Brian Ching and Conor Casey as the Americans’ top forwards. There will also be another roster spot open, with forwards such as Freddy Adu and Kenny Cooper possibly working into the mix.

Davies was also a member of last year’s American Olympic team and currently plays for the French club Sochaux. Sochaux president Alexandre Lacombe told French Football’s Web site that Davies was in intensive care and will be confined to a bed for about a month and a half.

“We are in shock,” Lacombe said. “In life you have to know how to put things in perspective. Charlie was close to death and a young woman aged 22 lost her life. His season is over, but what’s most important is for him to be out of danger.”

AP Sports Writers Stephen Wilson and Rob Harris in London contributed to this report.