CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy are poised to open the season without their biggest weapon from 2010’s Supporters’ Shield-winning squad. And while the initial sting from bidding farewell to Edson Buddle has worn off, Galaxy players still feel the absence of their former teammate.
“There’s no question we miss Edson, not only here on the field but in the locker room,” Galaxy star Landon Donovan said. “I miss seeing his face every day, his smile. We’re all happy for him and hope he continues to play and do well.”
Buddle led the Galaxy with 17 goals in 2010 and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Entering the preseason, one of the biggest questions was whether the team could replace Buddle’s output.
LA used a three-for-one tactic to try and replace Buddle, and so far the preseason has provided a bit of a smooth transition for the team.
[inline_node:326228]“In Edson, you have a player with a massive physical presence and a great goalscoring ability,” Galaxy defender Gregg Berhalter said. “Now you bring in Adam Cristman, you bring in Chad Barrett and Juan Pablo [Ángel] and you look at those three players for one, and we have all of those attributes. So to me it looks pretty good.”
As far as Buddle’s career path, Berhalter said the choice was there for his former teammate to take: test the waters or come back to try and take care of some unfinished business.
“He had that dream so to speak to go over there,” Berhalter said. “From that side, I understand it. But I also think when you’re at the Galaxy and you’re the leading goal-scorer, you had a great year, everyone was banking on you to come back, I felt he also had a great option here.”
Berhalter – who played in Germany for a good portion of his career – said that if Buddle did have to leave the Galaxy, he made a wise decision when choosing his club.
“When you look at where he went in Germany, you look at the team,” Berhalter explained. "Ingoldstadt has Audi behind them and they want to make a push to stay in the league and build from there, they’re investing money in that."
Berhalter played for Energie Cottbus before moving to 1860 Munich, plying his trade in Germany’s second division for seven years.
“It’s probably the best second division in the world,” Berhalter said. “I can’t think of one that’s better. Stadiums are big; you have some massive clubs in there. The attendance is probably the highest of any second division so it’s good. There are competitive games and the whole setup is very, very professional. Germany is a great league for Americans to excel in.”
While Buddle won’t be around to help the team get back to MLS Cup, the player expected to score the goals Buddle would have has done well to find his place in the team.
“Juan Pablo has fit in seamlessly and I think having spoken to Bruce a long time about him, that’s what Bruce said would happen and he’s come into this team very easily,” Berhalter said. “You can tell he’s comfortable here.”
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