NINTH-MINUTE OVATION

U.S. fans to salute Davies in WCQ tonight

American soccer fans plan to honor injured U.S. interntional forward Charlie Davies with a minute-long standing ovation in the ninth minute of the United States' World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Wednesday night.

Fans also are planning to hold up the No. 9, which is Davies' number on the National Team.

The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET.

The 23-year-old Davies was injured in a one-car crash that killed the driver in northern Virginia early Tuesday.

The former Westchester Flames player was listed in serious, but stable condition after he underwent several hours of surgery at the Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. yesterday. His injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to a U.S. Soccer spokesman.

Davies' injuries included a lacerated bladder, fractures to the tibia and femur bones in his right leg, facial fractures and a left-elbow fracture.

If fans want to send cards their best wishes to Davies, they can mail them to:

Washington Hospital Center

110 Irving St. NW

Washington DC 20010

10/14/09