Edson Buddle Has to Be in Bob Bradley’s 30 Man Preliminary Squad, But Will He Make the World Cup 23?

April 19th, 2010 | by: Daryl |

edson_buddle_ap Three things you need to know about Edson Buddle:

1. He’s scored seven goals in four games for LA Galaxy this season.
2. That mean he’s scored ALL the Galaxy’s goals. All of ‘em.
3. His first name is Edson because his father named him after Pele. Fact.

Take a look at his four most recent goals. Here’s the two he scored vs Houston Dynamo last week:

#1: I didn’t see any room inside that near post. Pat Onstad didn’t see any either. But Edson Buddle did.

#2: Bang.

Buddle also scored two this past weekend as LA got some revenge for that MLS Cup 2009 defeat by beating Real Salt Lake 2-1.

#1 Far post header.

#2 One touch and, again, bang.

Buddle was apparently a promising young striker, but is now 28 years old and so far has just one cap for the United States, earned way back in 2003. But a hot streak is a hot streak, and based on the above stats and video, Buddle has to rank head and shoulders above more recent MLS based striker callups like Jeff Cunningham and Robbie Findley.

I think it goes without saying that based on the above videos, Buddle definitely deserves a place in Bob Bradley’s 30 man preliminary squad. There’s no way to ignore a man in that sort of form. In fact, if Buddle doesn’t make the 30 man squad, then they should just fold Major League Soccer. Because if an American striker plays like that in MLS and doesn’t get selected, then clearly it’s all a waste of time.

Here’s the bigger question… Does a hot streak in MLS mean that Buddle makes the actual 23 squad that competes in South Africa?

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Coconut

No, because league play (especially MLS) is way different from international play. Example, us MEX fans have two players that do well in the Mexican League, Aldo De Nigris and Miguel Sabah, however they just dont fit in, in the Mexican National Team. Sure Sabah was the dagger in USA’s heart in the epic game at Estadio Azteca, but unfortunately that’s all he’s going to be remembered by when it comes to the national team.
GS

You absolutely cannot ignore stats. Unless Edson has gotten some super luck in the first 4 games he is in the best form of his life. If he doesn’t get called into camp Bob Bradley has officially lost his mind. Same can be said for Hercules Gomez. That sort of scoring has to be scouted and considering our other options at forward it would be a travesty if these two men didn’t AT LEAST get called into camp. To address the SA roster I would have to wait to hear how they did at camp to voice my opinion. Neither Edson nor Hercules is even remotely proven so they would have to dazzle in camp to make the final roster.
Taylor

good point about the fact that MLS would be insulted if he wasn’t at least on the 30 man squad. that would just be a slap in the face if the most in form American striker in MLS doesn’t even get the chance to prove himself. but really though, I want him to not just make the preliminary squad, he should definitely be going to SA if you ask me. all of his goals have been fine finishes, and he has shown great touch and confidence in front of goal. another point that cannot be denied by anybody is the fact that he and LD have developed a very good chemistry already this MLS season, and that could definitely create some magic if it carried over into the World Cup
aftersevenn

Davies is probably out. Additionally the US is pretty good about letting “Hot” unknown players start in the world cup….2002 Donovan & Mastroeni, 2006 Dempsey….buddle’s exactly the kind of guy who could get 30 – 60 minutes in the first 3 matches.