he's listening to me, he listens to Landon, he listens to the coach and as long as he carries on listening and working hard he's going to go far because at the moment he's proving what a great player he can be."
There's also confidence and scoring goals breeds that. After finding the back of the net just five times last year, Buddle started the 2008 season behind Carlos Ruiz and Alan Gordon on the Galaxy depth chart. He didn't come off the bench in the first two games of the year and he was sidelined again because of injury. But Buddle scorched FC Dallas for three goals in a 5-1 victory on May 18 and he's been rolling ever since.
"Scoring a hat trick the first game (back form injury) probably helps," Buddle said. "Once I got going it was good to get into that groove. There's no pressure on myself. Still, I want to be able to score because I am a forward and that's what they expect me to do. I want to keep my job so eventually I had to keep it going."
Buddle would like to play on the national team after earning his lone cap in a friendly against Venezuela in 2003. It would be a chance for him to reunite with Bob Bradley, who was his regional coach when Buddle was younger and someone he speaks to often at The Home Depot Center.
"I haven't been called up or been in those camps, but I'm curious to see if I get into those camps and I'm able to play with those guys and see what it takes to size myself up, see how far I can take it," Buddle said.
Added Donovan: "It's obviously Bob's decision but any player that's scoring in our league has to get a look."
Although the season is only at the halfway point, Buddle is probably the comeback story of the year in MLS. Currently second in the league in scoring, he was named to his first MLS All-Star Game as one of Commissioner Don Garber's two selections.
"It's exciting. With the quality of players here you can sit back and take it all in," Buddle said. "Seeing the professionalism with these guys it's great for me."
Buddle's career has come full circle, with talk of him once again playing on the national team. No longer is the conversation around the league about wasted potential. Now it's about a bright future for a striker who has battled adversity, both on and off the field.
"I think we're seeing glimpses of what's to come," Hejduk said. "If he can continue to do what he's doing, he already is a great player but he's going to be a very, very talented player and I'm sure he's going to get looks from the national team and from there the sky is the limit."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
