At long last, the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew reached an agreement Tuesday to finalize an often-rumored trade during this offseason, sending striker Edson Buddle to the Big Apple in exchange for midfielder Eddie Gaven and the rights to defender Chris Leitch.
With the move, the Red Bulls have taken the first step to alleviate a trouble spot up front, finally adding an out-and-out striker to their roster. Meanwhile, Crew boss Sigi Schmid says goodbye to a proven MLS goal scorer, though he still has various options in attack, including former MetroStars forward John Wolyniec and 2005 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner Jason Garey, the third overall pick at the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
The Red Bulls were shutout in their last three preseason matches, all coming at the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S.C. In losses to D.C. United and the Charleston Battery, as well as a draw with Houston Dynamo, the Red Bulls used veteran Youri Djorkaeff up top, while trying Mike Magee and Gaven as the second striker. The experiment failed, though, as the Red Bulls struggled to create and finish chances.
In Columbus, the move is just the latest in a busy offseason overhaul. After missing the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2005, the Crew have undergone a dramatic facelift. The 24-year-old Buddle was one of the few remaining veterans on the team, having started his professional career at Crew Stadium in 2001. The New Rochelle, N.Y., native has scored 42 goals in 106 MLS appearances, including nine last season. The season also included a suspension for an extended period after violating the league's substance abuse and behavioral health policy.
Gaven, meanwhile, moves to Columbus after three seasons with his beloved hometown club. The Hamilton, N.J., native began his professional career at the tender age of 16 in 2003, when he made 12 appearances, mostly as a substitute. The U.S. U-20 and U-23 mainstay had a breakout season in 2004, notching seven goals and seven assists as he started all but one game in the regular season. He had a good start to the season in 2005 but cooled down the stretch as the MetroStars were bounced out of the MLS Cup Playoffs by the New England Revolution in the first round.
A veteran of four MLS seasons, Leitch originally joined New York on March 13, 2003, in a trade with Columbus. He appeared in 72 regular season games for New York and notched three assists from the back line. He also garnered the 2005 MetroStars Defender of the Year award. Leitch was waived by the New York on March 1, 2006, but when he was not selected in the waiver draft on March 3, his rights reverted back to the Red Bulls.
The Crew will kick off their 2006 season on Saturday when they visit the Kansas City Wizards at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Red Bulls will be in action against D.C. United a day later (5 p.m. ET) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
