Davies was once viewed as one of the top prospects in U.S. soccer, but now he struggles to find playing time in Major League Soccer

It was the summer of 2009, a year before the World Cup, and the sky was the limit for one young American striker. Many pundits already anointed him a true No. 9, the type of player that had eluded U.S. coaching staffs year after year. Could he fill the role that had been vacated ever since Brian McBride lost his remarkable goal-scoring touch?That forward was Charlie Davies and in August of that summer the Boston College alum was racing toward Mexico’s goal in Azteca Stadium. Davies maintained a deft touch on the ball while ratcheting up his pace to beat goalie Guillermo Ochoa, the ultimate villain of this heated rivalry, which shockingly put the U.S. up 1-0 in a World Cup Qualifying match.Although it was simply one goal, with that strike he became only the fourth American player to ever score on Mexico’s hollowed grounds. This monumental finish came roughly two months after Davies’ famous hustle goal against Egypt that helped spur one of the most improbable runs in U.S. soccer history at the Confederations Cup tournament. There, the Yanks defeated current World Cup champion Spain. As a result of his superb play, Davies was on the tip of every soccer fan’s tongue with a guaranteed ticket to the World Cup in South Africa less than 12 months away.Unfortunately Davies’ stock has settled down since then and the “chosen forward” is currently lost in the abyss of world football, failing to regain form after his much-publicized near death accident over two years ago. In what was supposed to be Davies’ re-emergence into the soccer spotlight, his 2011 campaign with D.C. United came and went with just an average “off-Broadway” performance to put on his resume.Davies spent this past year in the States on loan with the MLS club, experiencing a rollercoaster season. Although he did finish with 11 goals, that tally is deceiving, as three came from the penalty spot and many of these other finishes were open net opportunities. Also of note, United manager Ben Olsen chose not to play Davies during the team’s playoff push, starting Davies in only two of the club’s final seven regular-season matches.Because of this inconsistent play and the expensive contract he signed with Sochaux in 2009, both experts and Davies alike are unsure of where his next stop will be. Will he return to the MLS? Will he ever play at D.C. United again after Olsen put him in his proverbial doghouse? There is also always the chance he returns to Sochaux, the French side which still owns Davies’ contract. Realistically the next chapter in the Charlie Davies saga will involve another loan, but to a mid-tier European club instead of an MLS team.As it stands now, D.C. United has declined to exercise an option to purchase Davies’ contract from Sochaux for $1.2 million. However, D.C. United’s front office is still in talks with Davies.“Negotiations about his [Davies] future are still ongoing,” said a D.C. United representative.On the other hand, Davies’ agent, Lyle Yorks, has hinted a move to Europe is imminent. Unfounded rumors of interest from Everton have been swirling about, but following the new addition of Landon Donovan it is extremely unlikely Davies will play for the Toffees anytime soon.

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In an ideal world, Davies returns to Sochaux and works his way back into the first team, but this is not a story you will be reading anytime soon. Davies’ current form is not up to the quality of play that is expected in Ligue 1, France’s top division. His first touch is a bit off and his pace is lacking, two things that need to improve drastically before he can progress forward in his career. That is why Sochaux will look to move the striker during the upcoming European January transfer window.The move that makes the most sense and the one that is the most probable would be a loan agreement with a mid-tier European club. This scenario would help Davies acquire much-needed playing time and hopefully regain some of the flare that once made him the U.S. team’s No. 1 forward option.Meanwhile, it is clear that D.C. United does not want to bring him back at the high price tag Sochaux has placed on him, as the French side is looking to recoup some of its investment. The complexity around a move to a different MLS club is another roadblock to Davies staying in the United States. Sochaux or United would have to find a team that was not only willing to take on the Charlie Davies project, but also a team that would be willing to pay him in excess of what his current skill set should require. As a result, a European club with deeper pockets, a team more equipped to take on this risk seems to be Davies’ ultimate destination.With the imagery of his “stanky leg” goal celebration on that historic day in Mexico City feeling like an aberration rather than a regular occurrence, Davies’ career is up in the air. Now, it’s up to him to begin to redefine it.Matthew Spitz is the editor of USFutblog.com