500x_custom_1255462471838_suvSochaux and USA striker Charlie Davies is in surgery for undisclosed injuries suffered in a fatal car accident early this morning on the George Washington Parkway.

The S.U.V. with three passengers hit a metal railing at around 3:15 A.M. severing the car in half.  Davies was not driving.  Ashley Roberta, 22, of Phoenix, Md. died at the scene.  Davies and the other passenger were rushed to the hospital.  Authorities are still investigating the crash.

U.S. Soccer said Davies’ injuries were not life-threatening, but “possibly” could be career-threatening.  It’s “unclear” at present.

Davies, 23, is one of the brightest stars of U.S. soccer.  He has 17 caps and four goals for the national team.  He assisted Conor Casey’s first goal on Saturday.

Should Davies be unavailable for South Africa, it would be a terrible blow for the U.S. team.  Davies’ pace is crucial.  Landon Donovan could replicate it, but moving him from the midfield position where he has flourished would be undesirable.

If the U.S. stays in a 4-4-2, it would be a more staid version, perhaps with Casey or Dempsey partnering Altidore.  Bradley could also play a 4-2-3-1 with Torres, Donovan and Dempsey attacking in the whole behind the striker.