US forward Davies undergoes surgery after crash

Charlie Davies, a 23-year-old forward for the United States, underwent surgery Tuesday afternoon after being injured in a one-car crash early Tuesday morning, US Soccer Federation officials said.

Davies, who plays for the French club Sochaux, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and was in stable condition after being taken to a nearby hospital following the 3:15 a.m. wreck in Virginia near the team hotel.

It was not certain exactly what injuries Davies had suffered or whether or not they might jeopardize his career.

Police were investigating the circumstances around the crash, in which there was a fatality, US Soccer officials said.

Davies was not missed immediately because a morning team breakfast was optional but US coach Bob Bradley gathered the team in a small meeting room at their hotel to deliver the news early Tuesday afternoon.

“Obviously as a team we’re saddened to learn this news,” Bradley said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and Charlie’s family and the other person in the car and the others involved.

“The team has asked that any other thoughts we have, to keep them with the guys. As a team, we are relying on each other in a moment that has for sure hit us all hard.”

Davies started, assisted on the first US goal and played the opening 78 minutes in the American team’s 3-2 victory last Saturday at Costa Rica, one that secured the US squad a berth in next year’s World Cup at South Africa.

The US squad will face Costa Rica on Wednesday at RFK Stadium in the US capital in the final North American regional World Cup qualifying match, with Costa Rica seeking a victory to secure a World Cup berth.

Players were told in a team-only meeting but their reaction was the shock and sadness that might be expected, US Soccer spokesman Neil Buethe said.

“Obviously the players are very saddened by the situation and hope the surgery goes well for Charlie and he has a quick recovery,” he said.

Davies has scored four goals in 17 matches for the US squad. He was first called up to the team in June of 2007 for a friendly against China after a solid showing with the Swedish club Hammarby.

Davies also played on the 2008 US Olympic team.