Dynamo 2 - 2 D.C. United
Final
  for this game

Davies, D.C. have 'something special' for Houston

Jun 24, 2011 - 9:05 PM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - Charlie Davies will celebrate his 25th birthday Saturday at RFK Stadium and D.C. United's leading scorer has promised "something special" if he scores his eighth goal of the season.

Davies is third in Major League Soccer with seven goals, and he said "I think I have to have a pretty good performance" on my birthday.

If Davies scores against the Houston Dynamo, he's planned a celebration with teammate Andy Najar that's "going to be fantastic."

Of course, Davies wouldn't disclose any more information, but there's a pretty good chance he'll unwrap the celebration this weekend - especially if he comes off the bench for United (4-5-5).

Davies has scored five of his seven goals as a substitute as he continues to regain top form following a near-fatal car accident nearly two years ago. With four of those goals coming in a win or draw, coach Ben Olsen has a tough call.

Davies has made six starts and six appearances off the bench and he has been a bigger factor off the bench, as just two of his goals came in starts. He added his latest goal last week in the 85th minute of a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake - as a substitute.

He scored the tying goal from the penalty spot after a disputed call, one Real defender Chris Wingert said, "Really wasn't even close." But the point on the road was important for D.C., which is just five points off last year's total.

United has lost just two of its seven home games but it also has just two wins at home this season, something Davies, who said this week "I finally feel fit again," hopes United can improve on in the first of two straight home games.

Houston (4-6-6) leads United in the Eastern Conference by just one point, and the Dynamo have played two more matches. Houston lost 2-0 to the Columbus Crew in its last match, and it has just one win in its last nine matches.

Now the Dynamo will need to end their road woes, as they are winless in seven on the road - although four of those matches have resulted in draws - to avoid another poor result.

"We've got to take this week and look at what we did wrong and get past it," Houston's Danny Cruz said, "because we've got another big game this weekend.

"We have to correct things by next week, because we don't have to time to keep giving up points."






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