Forward draws fouls, converts them to goals
Charlie Davies will turn 25 years old Saturday. Well known for his preplanned goal celebrations — there’s still regret around RFK Stadium that the Volkswagen on display behind one goal was locked when he tried to get in after his penalty kick against Los Angeles on April 9 — he is certain to have something special and authentic in store should he score against the visiting Houston Dynamo (4-6-6) on his birthday Saturday.
But Davies’ reputation for embellishment in the box is becoming as well known as the “Stanky Leg” celebration. He went down without contact to help secure a 1-1 draw last weekend at Real Salt Lake, the second time this season he has drawn a questionable penalty. Davies similarly made the most of contact with Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez — also in a match that ended in a 1-1 tie — before his failed car celebration.
| UP NEXT |
| Dynamo at D.C. United |
| When » Saturday, 6 p.m. |
| Where » RFK Stadium |
| TV » CSN |
United (4-5-5) declined to make him available for comment Thursday, but D.C. assistant coach Chad Ashton backed his forward and became the latest to raise questions about the level of officiating in Major League Soccer this season.
“That’s a forward’s job,” Ashton said. “It’s what he’s supposed to do. To me, it should affect the league taking a look at ‘Hey, we need to do a better job with regards to the decisions we’re making on the field.’ It’s what forwards get paid to do, and their job is to try and find a goal no matter how they do it.”
Davies is second in MLS with seven goals, four of which have come from the spot. D.C. United leads MLS with six penalty kick goals.
“He’s going to continue to play,” Ashton said. “He’s going to continue to do his thing, and if he happens to dive, the ref needs to recognize it and give him a card. That’s their job. But we’ll take a goal any way we can get it. Those go both ways over the course of the year, and all those calls even out. We’ll take our share.”
