D.C. United might acquire Charlie Davies on loan

By Steve Goff

D.C. United has been in serious discussions about acquiring French-based forward Charlie Davies, the once-promising American star whose career was derailed by injuries suffered in a car accident in Arlington, Va., in 2009, multiple sources told the Insider.

If a deal is reached, Davies, 24, would join the MLS team on a 12-month loan from Sochaux and report to training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as early as this week. One source believes a decision is likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Per club policy, United officials declined to discuss player pursuits. Lyle Yorks, Davies' agent, said that "we're in discussions for a loan possibility" but declined to identify a club or country. Sochaux has also stated publicly that it was trying to loan out Davies. Citing the sensitivity of the negotiations, several sources requested anonymity.

Although the international transfer window closed Monday in most of Europe, it does not prevent clubs from loaning or transferring players to leagues that have open windows. MLS's acquisition period does not close until April 15. Some Scandinavian countries are also able to acquire players. Before moving to Sochaux, Davies played for Hammarby in Sweden.

For much more.....

Davies was a U.S. national team regular before the one-car accident in October 2009. While on national team duty ahead of a World Cup qualifier at Washington's RFK Stadium, he was a passenger in a car that crashed on the George Washington Memorial Parkway outside of Washington. Another passenger died; the driver pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and awaits sentencing.

Davies suffered a broken right femur and tibia, a broken left elbow, a torn knee ligament, facial fractures and a lacerated bladder. He underwent months of rehabilitation and returned to training with Sochaux in the spring of 2010 but didn't make enough progress to warrant selection to the U.S. World Cup squad last summer.

Since then, he has played for Sochaux's reserve squad and has not made a first-team appearance. In order to get him regular playing time, Sochaux has been actively seeking to loan him.

United is apparently atop the MLS player allocation order, which applies when national team members seek to play in the league. However, because of the severity of Davies' injuries and the long layoff from high-level competition, it is unclear whether he would still be considered a national team player. In that case, he would be free to negotiate with any club.

Sources also told the Insider that United, in need of frontline help after setting the MLS record for fewest goals last season, had been interested in American forward Eddie Johnson, who on Monday was loaned by English Premier League club Fulham to second-tier Preston North End.

During the offseason, United signed free agent forwards Josh Wolff, a two-time U.S. World Cup member, and Joseph Ngwenya. However, the club has been actively pursuing additional attacking help. Last week, team officials said they would consider acquiring a forward on loan for the start of the season and then reassess the frontline situation when the summer transfer window opens.

Asked last week if United had made any progress in acquiring a foreign striker, Coach Ben Olsen replied: "Does it have to be a foreigner?" Reminded that few quality American forwards were on the market, he said: "Maybe."

In news from training camp in Florida, Abe Thompson, a veteran MLS forward from W.T. Woodson High School and the University of Maryland, was released and Colombian forward Yessy Mena, 21, began a tryout.

