Edson Buddle or Conor Casey: Whose going to be better?

[Giggs06]

I say Buddle

[The Wanderer]

No idea. A lot of things can happen between now and when they both 'realize' their potential, whenever that may be.

Buddle is slightly more athletic and Casey is more physical.

[Karl K]

Buddle will be -- indeed is -- more versatile.

I predict that if he is healthy, he will play for U23s in Athens, and that European scouts will be hyperventilating once they see him.

[BenReilly]

Buddle will be on the cover of SI in 2006...TWICE!

[anderson]

Haven't seen Casey in a long time - I guess most of us haven't - but, IIRC, he's more of the classic big target man type. That's very useful, of course.

But Buddle is just a different and much rarer sort of player - not just big and strong, but also fast and excellent technique. Really quality technique - not just for a big guy, but really nice touch and ball control, period. I've been impressed by how well he protects and controls the ball in tight space with two or three thugs whacking him remorselessly. That combination of size and technique is unusual.

And everything I've ever seen written on Buddle - mostly in admittedly adoring Dispatch articles from the daily MLS news thread - indicates that he's got the right attitude and mental toughness. He clearly understands and accepts that he's going to suffer hard fouls and cheap shots for the rest of his career.

I'd place a wager on Buddle becoming as important as LD or Mathis for the US.

[The Wanderer]

Given the propensity for our players to get injured, I think they both will be very important to our qualification. Whether or not they both make the 2006 WC squad depends on Arena. Bruce only carried one target forward to Japorea(BMB).

[rymannryan]

Buddle is one of my favorite players in all of MLS. Incredible strength and superb skills. He's a player that I really wanted to see against El Salvador but he was injured, preventing him the chance of being called up. I've never seen Casey play before.

[United20]

Buddle is on the field more often that Conor, who
has a glass jaw. Both have excellent size, but Buddle's finishing is sharper, while Conor is a fine passer-good finisher. I give the nod, to Buddle - the kid has a real shot at WC qualifications 2006 for the USMNT. We need size, speed, and a real striker - this kid has it all.

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by United20
Buddle is on the field more often that Conor, who
has a glass jaw.

Didn't Buddle miss the Canada and will miss the Argentina friendlies because of an injury?

Originally posted by United20
Both have excellent size, but Buddle's finishing is sharper, while Conor is a fine passer-good finisher. I give the nod, to Buddle - the kid has a real shot at WC qualifications 2006 for the USMNT. We need size, speed, and a real striker - this kid has it all.

They're very close in skill--I think Buddle has the edge athetically(speed), so he's a better shot at this point.

[Scotty]

Which player has better technique with the ball at his feet?

I would say Casey, but I really haven't seen enough of Buddle to judge.

Any input on this one?

[Nutmeg]

As Buddle and Casey improve and join the National Team, it will not be an either/or solution. Their games are somewhat different, and it doesn't take much of an imagination to see them both in the lineup.

For those who rate Casey based on an Olympic performance most of you didn't even see, you are missing the reasons why quite a few scouts regarded him quite highly in that tournament, and since. For a guy with his size, he is remarkably athletic. He has used his time in Germany wisely, and has become a real pro in terms of work ethic and a mature soccer mentality. His injury with Hannover has been disappointing, but I hope he recovers and regains the form he had at the end of last season.

I've seen a few taped games, and his work at the end of Hannover's promotion run was every bit as impressive as any streak of performances Buddle has put together with the Crew.

Having said that, I really like Buddle. As I've said elsewhere, I believe he'll force his way into the roster sooner rather than later, and when he gets there, he'll stick. As others have said, he has a rare combination of size, speed, quickness, and touch that will be a great asset for the National Team. As he grows mentally, he will simply be a force.

[Sachin]

If Jaqua, Quaranta, Johnson, Buddle and Casey all turn into Full National Teamers, we should have the most formidible attack in CONCACAF, especially when you factor in Donovan, Beasley and possibly Convey.

All five of them are big, tall, strong and have decent to great foot skills. Hell, if all five of them turn out, it may be "Clint who?" by the time 2006 rolls around.

Sachin

[diablodelsol]

Originally posted by Scotty
Which player has better technique with the ball at his feet?

I would say Casey, but I really haven't seen enough of Buddle to judge.

Any input on this one?

I wonder how it is that you've seen enough of Casey to judge...

[Scotty]

Originally posted by diablodelsol
I wonder how it is that you've seen enough of Casey to judge...

There is a German website in which you could download and watch his goal clips from the Hannover games.

When he was in his hotstreak last year I saw quite a few of his goals and assists.

[peledre]

Originally posted by Sachin
If Jaqua, Quaranta, Johnson, Buddle and Casey all turn into Full National Teamers
I'm willing to bet that 2 out of that group won't develop into Full Nats, that's just the way it is. What's the old adage? Don't count your chickens before your eggs hatch.

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by Sachin
All five of them are big, tall, strong and have decent to great foot skills. Hell, if all five of them turn out, it may be "Clint who?" by the time 2006 rolls around.

Sachin

I think all five of them have the potential to turn out, but unfortunately forward has gone from weakness in '98 to deepest position in the U.S. All I know is that someone young or old is going to be left off, and they will be of international caliber.

[Sachin]

Originally posted by The Wanderer
I think all five of them have the potential to turn out, but unfortunately forward has gone from weakness in '98 to deepest position in the U.S. All I know is that someone young or old is going to be left off, and they will be of international caliber.

How is that unfortunate?

Given the number of matches we play, I'd rather have more options than fewer.

Sachin

[stopper4]

If we go through 1/2 as many injuries in qualifying for 2006 as we did in qualifying for 2002 than they will all get their chance. Depth is a very good thing.

[Martin Fischer]

Both are big ?s at this point. Buddle less so because he is playing regularly, but even for him he has to deal with fitting in with McBride, when or if, McBride returns to the Crew. Casey is not moving forward as this season is a lost one for him. Of course, both are young and still have time to step it up the extra level the international game demands.

Lot's of other guys have an equal or better chance to grab forward time at the next world cup -- Mathis, Donovan, Wolff, Cunningham and Quarenta.

[eagleterp]

if all of those guys make it, what's adu going to play?