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From the pitch to the booth, soccer is embedded in Charlie Davies‘ DNA and legacy.
The former professional soccer player has been all over the world from Sweden’s Hammarby to France’s Sochaux and even Danish club Randers. In addition to his club appearances abroad, Davies also played for MLS’ D.C. United, New England Revolution, and the Philadelphia Union.
Not only was his decade-plus career noteworthy on the club level but also for the Stars & Stripes as a member of the USMNT. Though only scoring four goals, Davies’ international presence is engraved in history as he became the fourth American to ever score against Mexico in the famed Estadio Azteca after scoring the opening goal in their match in August of 2009.
After hanging up his boots, Davies has picked up his sneakers as an analyst for MLS and the USMNT.
We caught up with Davies to talk about the intersection of soccer and sneaker culture, his favorite soccer boots of all time, and his continued relationship with the Swoosh.
Read more below.
Nice Kicks: Sneakers, streetwear, and soccer are closer than they’ve ever been. What was it like for you as a player and now as an analyst?
Charlie Davies: It’s always been there. Now seeing sneakers with suits is starting to change. I feel like I’m one of the guys at the forefront.
I was always moved and motivated by the people I was influenced by; the guys who were bringing in fashion and culture to the sport. I take it back to the original Air Yeezys. That’s what really got me into the sneaker culture and learning about the shoes, how they can shape what you’re wearing, it’s incredible to be honest.
NK: Is it friendly competition in the booth with you and Maurice Edu?
CD: [Maurice] and I we’ve always been into sneakers. We’ve been collecting since we both turned pro the same year. It’s part of who we are.
We’ve embraced it. We enjoy it. We like bringing heat to the set. We pump each other up. We don’t look left or right, we just think to ourselves “let’s just run this. Let’s be the guys who are trying to start something.”
NK: You’ve mentioned your influences within the sport. Was there a specific player you mirrored yourself after — whether on or off the pitch?
CD: Ronaldo and [Thierry] Henry were Nike athletes, so as a kid I always wanted to be a Nike athlete. I wanted to be like them. Then you throw in Michael Jordan, Ken Griffey Jr., etc.
NK: Ronaldo, R9 as some call him, will forever be remembered for his game but also one of the most iconic boots of all-time: the Nike Mercurial R9. What was it like seeing that boot for the first time?
CD: It was life changing. It’s like Cinderella’s glass slipper. It’s the most iconic boot for the most iconic player.
When you think of Brazil, you think of world class, World Cups, and Ronaldo. You have Pele and Ronaldinho, but Ronaldo was the guy. I wanted to be him. I tried to patent my game from him. That stepover that I used — that was from him. I remember thinking I have to have these [cleats].
NK: Did you ever end up getting a pair?
CD: When they remade them [in 2013], Devin Barclay sent me them. I got emotional. It was towards the endo of my career. It was full circle.
I was this young kid looking up to him and now I’m rocking them and training in them. It was very special. I’m grateful I could’ve played the sport. I’m that much more grateful to represent Nike and feel appreciated by such an important brand and to go out there and do it.
NK: What’s the current rotation looking like for you these days?
CD: My favorite shoe is the sacai Vaporwaffle. They can go with anything from shorts to suit to business casual to jeans, walking the dog.
When I’m trying to flex a little bit, typically any OFF-WHITE — either one of the Dunks or the [white] Jordan 2s. I love the “Desert Ore” OFF-WHITE Air Max 90. Those are my go-to’s.
NK: Are there any shops you go to now for sneakers or any that you recall from your playing days?
CD: I feel like Boston is a lowkey sneaker hub. Bodega was the place to go in Boston. If I was ever going to get an exclusive pair, I would go to Bodega. Concepts goes hard too.
NK: What’s it like to still have a great relationship with Nike even after your retirement?
CD: I always tell all the [Nike] executives, especially Barclay, that I feel like I want to pay Nike to be represented by them. I’ve always felt that way; the fact that they still want me to represent the brand is awesome.
NK: We’ve seen it come a long way already, but where do you see sneakers and soccer in the future?
CD: It continues to come together when it comes to sneaker culture and the sport. Paris Saint-Germain has done that with Mbappé and Jordan Brand. It’s only going to get bigger especially after the 2026 World Cup. You see OFF-WHITE working with AC Milan.
There’s just a lot that goes hand in hand. It’s a world sport; it makes sense, it’s what brings people together.
If you can mix street fashion with the sport, because a lot of players identify with that & come from the streets, it’s beautiful.
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