Charlie Davies and the infamous car accident 17 months ago on The George Washington Memorial Parkway that left him seriously injured and derailed his career have converged one more (last?) time before D.C. United’s season opener against Columbus on Saturday.
While Davies and his United teammates went through their final training session before starting the 2011 season at RFK Stadium on Friday morning, Maria Espinoza, the driver in the fatal accident in October 2009, was sentenced in federal court to two years in prison.
“I just really don’t want to speak about it,” said Davies after practice. “I mean, tomorrow is my first game in one year and five months. That’s the only thing that I’m focusing on, and I don’t want any distractions at this point.”
A written statement from Davies was read at the hearing, but he declined to talk about the details of what it included.
“It’s case closed for me, and now it’s a new chapter for me,” said Davies. “I’ve worked so, so hard, extremely hard, to get to where I am now. I’m finally here, and I think that’s what’s consuming my mind right now. I don’t what my thoughts will be tomorrow, as far as the game. I’m kind of just – I’m in a weird mood right now just because it’s finally here, the day I’ve been waiting for.”
Although D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen wouldn’t reveal his lineup against the Crew, Davies scored in an exhibition match last week in Charleston, S.C., and would seem a likely candidate to start. During Thursday’s training session, he worked with what appeared to be a first-choice group of six attacking players including Clyde Simms, Dax McCarty, Chris Pontius, Andy Najar and Joseph Ngwenya.
“He’s looked good,” said Pontius. “You can tell the confidence is coming back, and that’s a huge thing for a player. Confidence is the main thing for a player. If you’re playing with confidence, you feel like you’re unstoppable at times, and so his confidence is coming back, and that’s good to see. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night, as is he, and I know it’s been even longer for him. I can’t even imagine how he’s feeling right now.”
“I think he’s very ready,” said Olsen. “I think Charlie is a guy that when it’s game time, he steps up. I think he likes playing the big games, the real games. That was kind of always his M.O., and I expect him to – whatever role he has on this team, he’ll do great, and he’s going to be a big part of this group.”
Asked if he would have any special words for Davies, Olsen said, “He’s a big boy. He’s been through quite a bit, and he’s dealt with a lot more in his life than I have in mine in a lot of ways. He’s ready to go. He’s chomping at the big. You can see it. Whatever that role is, I know he’s going to be here for this group and help us in a big way.”
