U.S. Striker Charlie Davies seriously injured in car crash.

US Soccer rising star, Charlie Davies was involved in a fatal car accident last night
that has landed him in the hospital. Charlie underwent more than five hours of surgery
at Washington Hospital Center after being airlifted there by helicopter. He was listed
in "serious but stable" condition Tuesday after treatment for a lacerated bladder,
fractures to the tibia and femur bones in his right leg, facial fractures and a left
elbow fracture. The accident could impact U.S. hopes of achieving anything significant
at soccer's 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"American forward Charlie Davies, among the team's most promising players in the
last year, was severely injured in the 3:15 a.m. crash on the George Washington
Memorial Parkway near Washington.

Another passenger, Ashley J. Roberta, 22, of Phoenix, Md., was killed in the crash.

Police said neither Roberta nor Davies was driving. The unidentified female driver
apparently lost control of the vehicle, which hit a guardrail and split in half."

Dan Kalbac, a U.S. Soccer team doctor, said "injuries of this nature usually require
a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation," meaning Davies
is unlikely to take part in the 2010 World Cup, which starts June 11.

A statement released by U.S. Soccer said Davies "will be hospitalized for at least a
week and additional surgeries will be required to stabilize his left elbow fracture
and possibly the facial fractures."

Davies, who plays for FC Sochaux in the French league, made his national team debut
in June 2007 and has played in 17 games for the U.S., scoring four goals.

Davies became a regular starter for the national team in the last year. His partnership
up front with Jozy Altidore has been developing well and Davies' speed, matching that
of Landon Donovan, has given the U.S. encouragement that it could do well in South Africa."

Here's to wishing Charlie a full and speedy recovery. His talents on the pitch will be
missed. The US National team was in the DC area to take on Costa Rica in a World Cup
qualifier on Wednesday. The Americans can secure first place in the regional qualifying
group by defeating Costa Rica at RFK Stadium Wednesday night. The match will be televised
on ESPN2 at 5pm 7:30pm.

For updates on Charlie, check SI's Grant Wahl or the Washington Post's Steven Goff on Twitter.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]