New England Soccer Today

Davies Strikes Again

(Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com)

(Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com)

“We have to start playing like Charlie [Davies] has, with a chip on his shoulder all around the pitch.” – Darrius Barnes

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Charlie Davies continued his hot streak for the New England Revolution on Saturday night scoring his second goal in as many games. Unfortunately for New England, the goal wasn’t enough to get the full three points as for the second time in a row they blew a halftime lead, settling for a 1-1 draw with the Portland Timbers after falling 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls two weeks ago.

“I think Charlie’s done an excellent job,” said head coach Jay Heaps. “I thought tonight again he was spritely, he was moving well off the ball, holding it up and scored a great goal.”

For Davies, it was his first home goal and gave the striker two goals and an assist in the last three games after registering no points in his first eight games for the Revolution, albeit mostly as a late substitute.

“It’s always great to score, Diego [Fagundez] played a great ball and I just have to try to make the most of my opportunities as a striker and obviously you take so much joy and pride in scoring goals,” said Davies. “It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get the result we were hoping for.”

After a poor pass from Portland ‘keeper Donovan Ricketts under pressure from Teal Bunbury, the ball fell to Kelyn Rowe who ran forward and played Fagundez. Fagundez then played a ball into the box for Davies, who timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap, run into the six yard box and then one-time a left footed shot off the far post and in to give the Revolution the lead in the 27th minute.

It was Davies’ only shot of the game, but he made the most of it and his teammates took notice.

“[Davies is] playing really well right now,” said Rowe. “He’s holding the ball up, he’s winning the balls, he’s working really hard and it’s all paying off because of those two goals. He’s in the right spot at the right times and he’s putting them away.”

Rowe wasn’t the only player who noted Davies’ important contributions to the team. Defender Darrius Barnes also recognized what Davies has added.

“I think he’s just brought that edge,” said Barnes. “He has a chip on his shoulder. He’s been itching to get his chance and he’s finally gotten it and he’s done well with it. He’s come in, got two goals in two games and we’ve just got to do a little bit better as a team to get the result as he’s putting them in the net.”

But after the Revolution conceded the equalizer in the 65th minute, Davies didn’t get much of a chance to score again. The Revolution striker was subbed out by Heaps in the 75th minute for rookie Patrick Mullins. It was Davies’ longest appearance thus far for New England.

“I think Jay has been extremely smart,” said Davies. “You don’t want to just throw me in there and play 90 minutes after 90 minutes and end up getting injured, so I think it’s been great. I definitely feel like I’ve built up my match fitness and I feel I can go 90, so it’s obviously a work in progress with me, but I think I’ve definitely gotten over the hump of feeling like ‘oh, I might be on the verge of another little tweak or little injury’, so I’m starting to feel fit and hopefully I can continue with this goal scoring form, but like I said you just need to win and hopefully we can take that next step against Chivas [USA].”

Though Heaps wants to be careful with Davies, he also wanted a different look for late in the game.

“Davies is still coming along,” said Heaps. “That was the longest he went. We had him at probably 55 [minutes] and then 65 in New York and then 75 tonight. But I also think that [it was] the combination of [that and wanting what Mullins brings]. I like to get Mullins in there, he’s a little bit different dynamic to defend and I actually think Mullins went in there and had some chances. I think he did a good job battling and created a little bit from turnovers there. We’ve got to be better.”

And to be better, the team might look to Davies for some inspiration.

“We just have to pick up that sense of urgency,” said Barnes. “It’s coming down here to the last stretch. We have to know that losses and ties are not going to be good enough. We’ve got to start getting three points. We have to start playing like Charlie has, with a chip on his shoulder all around the pitch. Just get better all across. Take a look in the mirror, come in to training sessions and get better day-by-day.”

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