I've always rated Buddle highly since I saw him for the first time in that LA Galaxy v Sydney FC exhibition match (He scored a goal that match, if I remember correctly? Brosque scored 2, both through some classy through balls from Juninho, I recall that).

I watched a few of Galaxy's games, last season, after that exhibition match actually, mainly due to being curious about the Beckham factor/revolution that was still very fresh/new at the time. And Becks and Donovan aside, he was the next most technically adept player in that side by far. BEcks, Donovan and Buddle were (Maybe still are? I haven't caught Galaxy in recent times) a lethal triumvirate in a team where elsewhere on the park they were decidedly ordinary. Buddle and Donovan were leading the MLS in goals at one point, so effective that triumvirate was.

I was suprised at the time though, to discover his age (later 20s) along with the fact that he had hardly featured for the US NT! This guy, as Aussie fans can now attest after that recent friendly, is QUITE the talent! He's a good athlete, but a technically proficient player with a decent touch. And his finishing aint half bad either! Infact if he was qualified for Australia then surely he'd have tthirty caps or more for this country, especially most of those in the last two years or so, since Dukes' retirement.

The USA have undervalued his talent for far too long and good on him that he's finally cracked into the squad and more than that, has a chance to secure one of the striking spots - a bit overdue IMHO.




What do you think about the FourFourTwo article Buddle Bidding for USA Starting Role?
USA striker Edson Buddle believes he has given coach Bob Bradley a selection headache for Saturday's World Cup clash with England in Rustenburg.

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