WASHINGTON – There’s little question that every road game for Charlie Davies will have a special feel to it. The fact that he’s playing soccer at this level once again after what he’s been through is a story that’s resonated with fans all across the league.
But this weekend’s trip to New England also brings Davies back to his roots, as he returns home New England to face the Revolution. The 24-year-old grew up near Manchester, N.H., an hour’s drive from Gillette Stadium, where he’ll play Saturday evening.
“I’m really excited,” Davies said after an indoor training session on Thursday. “Our goal is to win, and it’d be pretty good after two games [to have] six points.”
While his parents won’t be in attendance Saturday – they’ve since moved across the country to San Diego – Davies said he had around 50 requests for tickets, to go with 20 more for his fiancée, Nina, whose family will also be in attendance.
Furthering Davies' ties to the area was his three-year stint playing at Boston College, where he was a standout his junior year. When he steps on the field to face the Revolution, he’ll be entering familiar territory, having played against New England in a spring game in college.
“[I’ve played there] just one time, but it feels like I’ve played there a thousand times – just playing around there, going to a lot of Revolution games," Davies said. "I played the Revolution when I was with Boston College, [so] it’ll definitely be something I’m accustomed to.”
WATCH: Davies scores No. 2 vs. Columbus
Whatever his role is Saturday evening, Davies made one thing clear: he wants to do what he can to help D.C. United come away with a second straight win.
“For me, personally, it’s just to contribute, whether that be with a goal, an assist, holding the ball up, whatever the team may need,” he said. “Taking steps forward with progress and my confidence, and then the three points which we’re expecting to achieve.”
Of course there will be the emotional impact of playing in front of a home crowd, but Davies realizes that it’s going to be like that for each and every game he plays, whether it’s at RFK Stadium or anywhere else on the road.
“Every game’s going to be a great experience for me, just because I’ve waited a year-and-a-half just to play in one,” he said. “Every game from here on out is going to be special to me.
“Playing in Boston, my hometown basically, and being around the people I grew up with, that’ll be another special time of course.”
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