Charlie Davies scored both goals in the New England Revolution’s 2-2 draw vs. New York to win the 2014 Eastern Conference MLS Championship on aggregate, 4-3 this Saturday.

Davies started the Conference semifinal series off for New England by scoring 2 goals against Columbus in his MLS playoff debut. He became the first player in New England’s history to score twice in a postseason game. With two more on Saturday, Davies moved into third place all-time on the New England’s playoff scoring list.

This weekend’s performance by Charlie Davies was remarkable for any professional soccer player. But as Davies said about his performance, “For me, personally, it’s unimaginable really,”

In 2009, Charlie Davies would have thought he was destined for this type of performance. That is until October 2009, when after helping the US National soccer team qualify for the World Cup, he was involved in a car accident that left him with severe injuries. According to reports at the time, Davies sustained injuries to his, “fibula, tibia and femur of his right leg (stabilizing the limb required insertion of two titanium rods); tore a ligament in his left knee; fractured his left elbow, eye socket and nose; suffered serious head trauma; and lacerated his bladder.”

Thoughts after the accident were more about if he would walk again. No one was thinking that he would play soccer again. No one that is except Charlie Davies himself.

Charlie Davies chose to persevere. He would do whatever it would take to play soccer at the professional level again. It was later as he was able to regain his strength and begin the long process of re-training, that he said:

“I appreciate how hard this game is now. You can rebuild your body, but you must also rediscover your form, rhythm, confidence and consistency.”

Persevering through a major setback like this isn’t easy. Davies discovered that he could train to rebuild his abilities, but what would take more time is rebuilding his confidence and consistent performance. To do this he needed to continue training until it all came back. He also discovered that he needed people other than himself to help – he needed a coach and a team of players who wanted to see him succeed.

Let’s see how Confidence, Consistent Performance, and Continued Training along with people who want to see you succeed can help you persevere though your setbacks:

What you have to do to persevere

First you have to decide that you want to comeback. Decide what your vision of success is. Decide that you have the passion to succeed. Decide that you have the drive to see it through. Then go.

Rebuild your Confidence – Coming back from a setback works best if you celebrate the small steps that show a glimmer of your former self. Your confidence will return one small success at a time.

“I can feel my old self come out more and more in trainings.” – Charlie Davies

Achieve Consistent Performance – Remember what it was like when you first started the climb to your former glory. You began to string together a few success, than more and more until it became normal for you to succeed every time. Consistent performance comes in steps. First you have to think and succeed, than you succeed without thinking.

“The old me was there, just not often.” – Charlie Davies

Continue Training until it all comes back – Once you decide to comeback from a setback, realize that you will have more setbacks on your road to the comeback. The advice on this one is pretty simple: Just Keep Going.

“Through it all I just continued to fight and stay with it and things have turned out for the best.” – Charlie Davies

What others have to do to help you persevere

Coming back from a setback is no more something you can do on your own than when you achieved success the first time. We all achieve success with other people, and through other people. This is no different.

Rebuild your Confidence – You need others around you to remind you of what you were and what you can become when you persevere.

“They’ve really seen the potential that I have and they want me to succeed and that goes a long way. That’s why I’m playing the way I am now.” – Charlie Davies

Achieve Consistent Performance – You need others around you to provide a consistent, stable environment for you to try and fail so you can try and succeed.

“We gave him a stable environment, but he was fighting for his position every day, from when his injury happened to the entire 2014.” – Jay Heaps, Head Coach New England Revolution

Continue Training until it all comes back – You need others around you to push you to Just Keep Going.

“I think what’s really important, the guys in this locker room have pushed me since I’ve been here.” – Charlie Davies