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David Beckham's loan move to AC Milan earlier this year meant he retained his place in the England national team, but it has kept him out of another, albeit hypothetical, lineup.

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Diego Maradona's decision to use his "Hand of God" in a rather undignified manner could rule him out of coaching at the World Cup.

The Argentina boss grabbed his genitals with both hands during a foul-mouthed rant following his side's qualification for the World Cup on Wednesday and now faces a disciplinary hearing.

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It took just a glance around the lower bowl of RFK Stadium, turned temporarily into a sea of white placards bearing the number "9," to see how much U.S. Soccer misses Charlie Davies.

Davies, the national team striker who was severely injured in a car crash early Tuesday morning, received a series of touching get-well messages from teammates and the Washington, D.C., crowd Wednesday night.

Captain Carlos Bocanegra dedicated the team's dramatic last-ditch 2-2 draw against Costa Rica to Davies, who is almost certain to miss the World Cup after being ruled out for between six to 12 months.

But as thoughts turn to South Africa next summer following an intriguing and tumultuous qualifying campaign, how much will Davies' presence be missed on the field?

While it is hard to read too much into what was effectively a meaningless game for the U.S. on Wednesday, with qualification having already been wrapped up four days earlier, the performance gave some kind of a glimpse into life without the young Sochaux front-man.

Davies is the only player in the squad who possesses a genuinely electrifying pace and that is a major reason why he has become such an important cog in coach Bob Bradley's machine.

Without him, the tempo of the U.S. attack becomes more languid - and more aerial - with the taller and slower Jozy Altidore stepping in against Costa Rica.

Davies brought an extra option and the kind of blistering speed capable of troubling any defense.

With his effervescent personality, Davies swiftly became a favorite of both fans and teammates alike. He is sorely missed already, but he could be missed even more in South Africa next summer.

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Associated Press

The United States hasn't even qualified for next year's World Cup, but it is good enough to win the tournament.

OK, once you've recovered from an understandable fit of uncontrollable laughter – and before you send a swathe of derisive feedback questioning my sanity – understand that the above statement is the opinion of U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati.

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Bob Bradley is one of those international head coaches whose decisions always seem to be second-guessed no matter what he does.

So it will surely be the case again on Saturday when Bradley makes the final lineup choice for the United States' critical penultimate World Cup qualifier at Honduras.

Bradley will be most under the microscope regarding his selection on the right side of midfield, after Clint Dempsey was ruled out with a sprained shoulder that he sustained while playing for Fulham.

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