I will never never EVER understand why he saw so little playing time until now. The top scorer on the team (face it, Alidore is not a great scorer) sitting on a bench. And Gomez playing even less. Do the names Schillaci, Inzaghi, and P. Rossi tell you anything? I guess Bradley was too busy coaching college soccer. Bradley needs to go back coaching college soccer. Only in that environment somebody would start Findley for two games i a row over those two.
I don't know about Buddle, but it seems surreal to me that we have the Mexican league's leading goalscorer and so far he's barely played in the WC.
Do we have to talk again about the fact that Bob Bradley is looking for role playing forward that will pair with a goal scoring forward? People in these boards never learn I swear.
He might get his chance. Sky Sports reported that Buddle would start vs. Algeria. Then again, can we really trust anything from the English rags???
If I was the full shirt tatooing kind I would consider getting that headline tatooed on my arm so all the Angles I play footie with on Sunday could read it every time I clothesline them
I understand Altidore strictly from the last half of the Slovenia match. And I understand the thought process behing Findley's speed. It's a gamble. But i would replace Findley with Buddle for the Algeria match. If we're favored, stretching the defense loses priority.
Jozy has been a goal scorer in MLS and internationally. That he didnt score much in the EPL and La Liga [yet] at age 18-20, in my mind, does not indicate that he is not a goal scorer as compared to Buddle, but says something about the level of the league. I am not concerned about Jozy's goal scoring instincts. He came off the bench in El Salvador and in China and scored within minutes. He scored versus Brazil at the U20s and Spain at the CC. He led our team in scoring during qualificiation. Yes, Buddle has been very good in MLS. Jozy showed scoring instincts in MLS at age 16.
He has 82 MLS goals. He is healthy.. IF you know one thing about Edson Buddle is that he is a very dangerous striker.
Buddle puts his head on the ball better than any forward we have. I'd like to see him start with gomez coming in when he or altidore inevitably get tired.
jeff cunningham was golden boot winner and hot as anyone at the end of MLS last season. he is pretty bad at the international level. i've got no problem starting buddle this final group match, but dont think its a sure thing that he makes us any more dangerous or will be successful any more than, say, a robbie findley or a herc gomez. i'm sure hoping he does have a great impact if he does get to play. so close to gametime...
He got blackballed for much of his career. The thinking with Findley was that his speed would open up the defense. The truth at this Mundial though is that most teams are setting their lines rather deep making Findley's inclusion superfluous.
The problem with this analysis is that Cunningham was used in a system that set him up for failure. The reality of it is that he is wasted if he has to come back and collect the ball from mid field. He is the kind of striker you want to play up high and give him service. in the correct system I think he would have been pretty effective at the international level as he has good top end speed and is strong on the ball.
I agree Buddle should have been given more of a chance but bashing Bradley just makes you look like a fool. Bradley has finished first in CONCACAF, runner up on Confed Cup and he has us on the verge of winning our group (would be winning now if not for a horrible ref call) I think he's proven himself. As for Gomez, call me when they actually start defending in the Mexican League.
When has Buddle done anything at the International level? Are we supposed to experiment now when all the chips are on the table? Buddle has been great in MLS but so has a lot washed up rejects from other leagues. I don't trust numbers from MLS. I wish Bob would've used him in friendlies to see what he's all about. I seriously have no idea if he would be effective against Algeria. Are we that desperate that we need to find out tomorrow?
Yep. Thankfully, unless we have a significant lead by the 60th-75th minute I expect to see Gomez today. If we do have a significant lead I expect to see Bornstein around the 80th.
He has done very well with the minutes Bob has given him so far in friendlies. Did you expect more? Heck, the guy scored 2 goals in very limited minutes.
I think Buddle has an excellent chance to start so no need to get worked up over it. Definitely no need to bash Jozy either -- he had a pretty nice scoring record as a teenager in MLS remember -- Jozy just needs to get a goal to get his confidence up and the goals will come I think.
Dewey Beats Truman? This would normally be a goodgame to go big up front w/ both Altidore and Buddle, but w/ Altidore supposed stomach issue I wonder if he can go the distance.
I don't think bashing Bradley in this regard is productive. It's unlikely and would be odd to sit a (healthy) Altidore. Buddle may take Findley's spot. I could agrue for that. But I could argue for Holden or Feilhaber or (because he looks good out there) Gomez. Who we use of this group comes down to tactics and where we choose to play Dempsey. As much as anything else it should be based the specific talents and weaknesses of Algeria's defensive players. I for one will admit not having studied thier players that closely, but I'm sure Bradley has. It may not be an easy choice and he's not an idiot for not not choosing our favorite. Edu/Clark is the other key decision. Also some chance Gooch sits for Goodson but I don't think so.
Usually I don't like Bob Bradley's decisions but I think he's doing a good job so far. His personnel picks have been nearly perfect and he has the team playing well. Although, I still think he waits too long to make a decision on substitutions. With that being said I think he will start Buddle w/ Jozy against Algeria and use Gomez off the bench. And to answer the original question I think Buddle's taken so long to have impact on the MNT due to untimely injuries I'm not sure though. As a sidebar can someone please tell Tim Howard to roll or pass the ball to the defense sometimes. I'm tired of seeing him boom it down the field only to let the other to get ball.