Buddle Double
For a few minutes Saturday, the St. Louis Cure appeared to be in trouble. Superstar Javier Morales left the match early because of injury. Who would step up and provide the leadership and firepower? Enter Edson Buddle. Following Morales' brilliant performance in Week 1, it would be understandable if one had overlooked Buddle. No longer. Buddle took the game by the scruff of its neck, and put in a performance than was equal, if not better, than Morales' thrilling work two weeks earlier. And Buddle's second goal, a volley of tremendous skill, should be added to Morales' two goals in Week 1 as "Goal of the Year" candidates. Coach Lodes was gushing in his praise, "Edson is a man on a mission. He has always had the skill. Now he has the motivation. He is on fire. And dare I say, with the USA forward pool in such a precarious position, Bob Bradley needs to be watching." Exaggeration? Not so fast. It is commonly accepted that at least 1 MLS striker will be traveling to South Africa. Brian Ching's injury has put his spot in jeopardy. The other MLS forwards under consideration: Robbie Findley, Jeff Cunningham and Conor Casey; what do they have that Buddle doesn't? Buddle is certainly the player with the finest form of the five. Plus, he offers something the others don't. Ching and Casey are known for their size and strength, but quickness and technical skill they glaringly lack. Cunningham and Findley are speedsters, but can be easily knocked off the ball. Buddle, on the other hand, has world class speed, size and strength. Take a look at his goals on the posted video and tell me why he shouldn't be in the running. Buddle has only had brief nibbles at National Team work in the past, possibly because of a lack of the work ethic required. But no one can question his effort in recent weeks. Edson Buddle in South Africa? If there is any justice in the world, that notion will not seem so crazy after all.
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