2014 FIFA World Cup: Who is Brad Davis?
By Mario Hicks
USA’s first match of the FIFA World Cup is just days away, and Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis is on the squad. Many fans around the country were highly upset when they heard the news that Landon Donovan was cut and most of the anger was channeled towards Davis because people felt he didn’t deserve to be on the team.
Let’s take a look back and see who Brad Davis is and what makes him a vital part of this year’s 2014 USA World Cup team.
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Brad Davis attended St. Louis University (SLU) where he played for two seasons. In his first year of collegiate soccer, Davis won the Conference USA Freshman of the Year Award. He then went on to be named a second team All-American, before deciding to turn pro.
Davis was selected third overall in the 2002 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by the MetroStars. After short stints with the MetroStars and Dallas Burn, Davis was traded to the San Jose Earthquakes, which moved to Houston and renamed themselves the Houston Dynamo.
Davis moved to Houston and has yet to look back. He earned a reputation as one of the best “assist men” on the pitch. He had a (then) career high of 11 assists in 2006, which was good for second in the league. Davis was part of the 2006 and 2007 MLS Cup Championship teams.
In 2009 , he outdid himself and assisted on 12 goals, which was tied for most in the league. He was also named an All-Star, and the Dynamo’s Team MVP. The following year he did more of the same, assisting on 12 goals, was named an All-Star, was named Team MVP…all again.
But 2011 was his career year.
Davis finished second in the MLS league MVP voting. He smashed his old career highs in assists and set up 16 goals that year and won the Team MVP for the third consecutive year. Davis took his game to another level off the field as well, as he won the Dynamo Humanitarian of the Year. It was no surprise that he was named All-Star for yet another year in a row.
May 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; United States forward Aron Johannsson (9) high fives midfielder Brad Davis (14) after scoring a goal off Davis
To the fans that say, “That’s old news. What has he done for me lately?” In Davis’ eight games before being named to the national team, he had five assists.
What do we have to say about that?
Brad Davis is an elite passer. We have seen some beautiful soccer so far in the World Cup with the Netherlands putting on a show against Spain. It is no secret that passing is the key to a deep run at the Cup. With Davis on the team, look for him to set up elite scorers like Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey.
Davis has one of the best left feet in the MLS and we’ll look for him to showcase what Dynamo fans of been accustomed to seeing over the years.
The Houston Dynamo have a gifted player representing not only them, but the country as a whole, in Brad Davis.
Brad Davis and Team USA will take on Ghana in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup this Monday at 5 p.m. CDT.
USA will look for vengeance as Ghana ended their run at the 2010 World Cup.