Not only has Charlie Davies returned to France to continue his rehab with Sochaux, he's set a timetable for his return to the training pitch.


Those of you intimately tuned into soccer news to the detriment of your personal relationships as I am have probably already seen the Davies interview with the club's website. You probably keenly listened as he related his struggles over the past four months, discussed how coming so close to death has changed him, and cringed as he rattled off the list of injuries he sustained in October's crash. Every bit of it is riveting, and only makes you want to root harder for Charlie.


The most interesting part for US National Team fans, however, is that aforementioned timetable. One month, Charlie says. One month until he's back on the field with his club, working his way towards match fitness with a ball at his feet and visions of goals in his head.


Like the rest of us, I'm sure Bob Bradley has a calendar posted somewhere in his office now with a day, roughly a month in the future, circled prominently. The sooner Charlie gets back to training, the sooner he gets back to matches for Sochaux, the sooner he'd be available for Bradley's twenty-three man roster that needs to be pretty close to solidified by the time May rolls around. This next month, and the actual day that Davies is able to resume training (meaning he's fully healthy short of match fitness), will ultimately decide if Charlie's name will be there.


Charlie also has a targeted return match in mind, but demurred from revealing it to the interviewer. I like that. He doesn't need the added pressure of the world (i.e. Sochaux and US fans) bearing down, with people asking him constantly if he's going to make the target. Charlie's challenge is extremely personal, and it's understandable that his goal itself is as well.


Again, it has to be said. Don't bet against Charlie.