FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Charlie Davies does lots of “little things” to help the New England Revolution win games. His speed stretches defenses. His movement creates space for his teammates. And his holdup play allows numbers to get into the attack.
But what Davies really likes to do is score goals.
“You can do all the little things right and help the team, but when it comes down to it, as a striker, you’ve got to score goals and put the ball in the back of the net,” Davies said.
That’s why the six-game scoring drought Davies endured from late June through early August felt like an eternity to the 29-year-old forward, and why he felt an enormous sense of relief when he finally broke through with a pair of goals in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Toronto FC.
“I’d be lying to you if (I said) it wasn’t frustrating,” Davies admitted. “It’s always going to be in the back of your mind as a striker when you usually get hot and cold. Throughout the process I’ve been able to stay confident and I think that’s important as a striker, to keep your confidence.
“[Against TFC], the guys really helped me. We played phenomenal tonight. We had most of the possession and they made my job easy.”
Davies’ double brought his goal tally up to nine on the season, tying him for sixth in the league and easily putting him atop New England’s scoring chart. He’s now just two goals shy of his best single-season mark in MLS, the 11 goals he scored with D.C. United in 2011.
The six-game scoreless drought prior to Saturday’s breakthrough was the longest Davies had endured since the end of the 2014 campaign, so it’s no surprise he was a driven man against TFC.
“Charlie was itching for one,” said head coach Jay Heaps, noting the goal Davies had ruled out for offside the previous weekend against Chicago. “I think [on Saturday] from the opening minute he was going to be aggressive and it showed.”
Both of Davies’ goals were first-time efforts inside the six-yard box as he fought his way onto the end of a pair of set pieces. They won’t win any Goal of the Week awards, but Davies couldn’t care less.
“As a striker, you’ve got to score any way you can,” Davies said. “[On Saturday] there were two pretty scrappy goals. We would like to call those striker’s goals. Any way I can help this team win, I’m happy to do it. [On Saturday] it was two scrappy goals and we’ll take it.”
