I keep hearing the name Buddle appear in more article in regards to getting called-up by Bob Bradley. He has looked solid in the past two Galaxy games, has three goals and this Donovan/Buddle duo seems to be working for the Galaxy, could it work for the USMNT? Thoughts??
At this point... why not? Buddle just reminds one of a not as quick, but stronger, more technical EJ. Both have suffered from complete doubts about their mentality in playing the game... while their tools are above average. As you say LD and Arena can both provide Bob whatever scoop he wants. Who would have thought Gomez and Buddle would be the (early) form strikers coming in to WC 2010? In our history we don't have a very good history of taking in form attacking players to the WC, but I think that's mostly due to the perceived (rightly or wrongly) weaknesses of short term MLS performance. Count me in on the "willing to see Buddle play in a friendly" group- but we're almost out of time.
shame that we couldnt have had Buddle and Gomez given run outs 6 months earlier, i think they missed their shot.
Six months ago Buddle was at the end of an MLS season where he didn't score that much. He has had plenty of injuries throughout his career, including last season, and is streaky as hell even when healthy.
I am not sure why Buddle has not had a chance with the MNT, although I do think he has been capped. I know some of you will remember this and either confirm or correct me. I have been saying, literally, for years, that he should have a chance. Now, and even last year, he seems to be in good form. Since the injuries (and last night's Ching injury), we are woefully low on strikers. Rather than bring in some of the known, not particularly good, strikers that we may end up being saddled with, why not be bold and bring in someone like Buddle. I would like to see Bradley take a chance. As has been noted, Buddle and Donovan play together and that is good. This was the argument used for Ching...that he and Donovan had played together at San Jose. I don't see it as a big stretch to take a chance on Buddle in the next two friendlies. You can always have Findley, Cunningham, Casey, hopefully Ching, etc., waiting in the wings if Buddle does not perform well for the national team.
The chances of Bob Bradley watching that game last night and NOT going "hmmmmmmmmmmmm" have to be slim to none. You compare him to Robbie Findley, and I don't see how anyone takes Findley over him.
Agreed. Findley has a bit more speed. But Buddle has so much more to his game. It ain't even close. The question with Buddle is whether he has matured to the point where he can give his all for the team.
Nothing to add on Buddle's ability, but I would like to say, he earned points in my book for getting in Sacha's face after Sacha body checked him last night.
Yeah, that was weird. Edson was smiling, so I didn't know if he was jokin' w/ Sasha or not. Maybe Edson a bit mental.
I think he deserves a look considering Ching is injured again. He's in form right now and scoring goals.
It looked to me like one of those Denzel Washington smiles in Training Day, where he's smiling because you just made your last mistake.
B Bradley should have had another mls/mex USMNT camp or at least game. Like Mexico did so he could call up Gomez Buddle Castillo Torres etc..... Oh well I just think its a little to late for Buddle. Not his fault. I think they would call Gomez over him at this point.
Buddle is from my hometown, so I have always watched his career closely. To my eyes, he looks the fittest I have ever seen him. (There were years he looked positively puffy.) I liked his swagger early in his career, and I think he was very close to really breaking through with the Nats in the past until injuries and personal problems derailed him. Watching him these last two games, I feel like he has finally reached the level he is capable of. If Ching is hurt and unavailable, then I think Buddle should be a slam dunk for the role of a strong, hold up forward. He is far more athletic than COnor Casey, smarter than EJ, what's not to like?
The rule w/ strikers is that if one gets iron hot in the months leading up to the Cup, ya gotta call him in. Nothing is more valuable than a striker is just f'ing scoring some god**** f****ing goals. Pardon my French. Speaking of which: Ribbery went on a tear in France in '06, got his first cap a few months b4 the Cup and never looked back.
I was flabbergasted Buddle didn't get some chances a couple years ago. We've seen what everyone else can do. Buddle and Gomez have to be at the top of the list when looking at who will get called in if Ching is injured still.
he was drinking a lot and he was hurt a lot. Alcohol rehab kind of interfered with his chances for a USMNT career.
The alcohol problem was before his time at LA though wasn't it? I think arkjayback was referring to Buddle's 2008 season with LA where he scored 15 goals but didn't get a cap with the national team. I don't recall whether there was an injury that prevented him from attending the January camp in '09. edit: ah yes, it appears he got injured right before that January camp. Really unfortunate there.
He should be firmly on Bob's radar. Bob's "good person" standard has probably hurt him, but the US striker situation is such that Buddle must be in the conversation. Many of us have been saying this for 18 months.
Agree, who else has been left off the team that otherwise deserved to be on due to a 'good person' clause? Beasley has had similar problems and Bob hasn't hesitated to use him when in form.
Bob was watching from the stands boys and as my eleven year-old son said last night," I wanted to to see Robob's face the instant Buddle scored the first goal." I was within twenty feet of the man last night and I can tell you that he seemed quite intent to see the beginning of the match last night.