Edson Buddle's European venture has come to a screeching halt.
Despite Buddle scoring six goals for FC Ingolstadt this season, the club released him from his contract Tuesday for unspecified reasons. Buddle had been sent away from the team prior to the 2. Bundesliga's winter break, the first indication that his time in Germany may have been coming to a premature close.
What's next for Buddle remains to be seen. He had trained with West Ham and was on trial with Everton, but neither of those stints amounted to transfers. He was also reportedly on trial with relegation-threatened Westerlo in Belgium, but nothing came of it. Because he is out of contract, he should be still be eligible to sign with clubs in Europe outside of the transfer window, so Tuesday's deadline is not a deal-breaker for any potential move abroad.
It should be noted that when Buddle left the Los Angeles Galaxy following the 2010 MLS season, it was on a free transfer, meaning that the Galaxy were not given a fee for him and that the club should retain his MLS rights, should he return to the league.
When Buddle left the Galaxy a little more than a year ago, he said in a team statement that "I am hopeful that one day I will be able to return to the Galaxy and help lead them to an MLS Cup championship."
It is possible that return may be coming sooner than he initially imagined.
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Do you hope to see Buddle return to MLS? Disappointed that he is done at Ingolstadt?
Share your thoughts below.
Greg Seltzer is reporting that he’s already on his way back to LA. Nothing final, but Seltzer says he has multiple sources saying it’s pretty much a done deal.
Vote Keane-Buddle 2012!
buddle and keane would be nasty togther. Hopefully he saved some of the money from that big contract.
He and Eddie Johnson should start a team together.
Another great American athlete with no skill
Eddie Johnson, Robbie Findley, Demarcus Beasley, Gale Agboussomde, Marvell Wynne, Johan Smith, Quavas Kirk, Jeff Cunningham
How long do we have to keep putting up with this? At some point US Soccer coaches and scouts are going to have to figure this out on their own
Keane and Buddle would be nasty! Hopefully they can trade Cristman for some workout equipment
Buddle is very technical so is Beasley. I can tell you know nothing about soccer
Psssh, good luck with that. Dumbells aren’t that cheap.
While I agree with your general complaint about placing too much emphasis on “explosiveness” vs. “knows how to play”.
Placing DMB and MLS’s leading goal scoring on that list is … absurd.
They may no get a Bowflex or treadmill, but I don’t think some metal plates and an exercise ball is out of question.
Exactly how many DPs does LA get to have?
Hope he’s right.
I’m thinking more like scrap metal and some boulders.
That’s what I thought. #freelandon
We have 12 this year.
That sux. At least he got to play for the first half of the season.
As a Soundser fan I do NOT want to see Buddle return to LA.
Edson, they have a Superleague in India now…See if you can get a payday!
Figure out what?
What’s your freaking point? That Eddie Johnson, who played at Fulham and Damarcus Beasley, who played at PSV are the same guys as Johann Smith and Quavas Kirk?
Or, is your point that you’re very good at naming black American soccer players and lumping them all together?
Does anybody know what Buddle did that essentially got him fired from his gig at Ingolstadt? Or was he just a “locker room cancer?”
I had the same gut reaction to that post…
I’m guessing salary, Buddle has never seemed like a hot head. That, or they have issues with goal scorers.
he got fat
Buddle has a very good technical skills, I’m sure is something else that is causing teams to take a pass on him, it may be his lack of work rate during practice, who knows.
The only thing obvious here is something I don’t want to accuse you of.
In any case Buddle may have a lethargic style of play, but you cannot say he has no skill.
Watch some of his goals. Heck… watch his last goal for the USMNT. That requires technique.
Beasley has had his shaky moments, but you don’t become a starter in the Mexican league without some skill.
Just ask JFT, Hercules Gomez, Bornstein, and all the rest.
Okay. He’s no Alan Gordon, but give the guy a break. If you want to blame anyone, blame Bruce for putting him out there.
And yes, I agree. He’s just not that talented.
I second that. #FreeLandon !!!
Snacking on Bundesliga 2 defenses. Wasn’t he their leading scorer?
Wasn’t there a training issue?
exactly
Come home Edson!
+1
I heard it was $$$ related. Ingolstadt is circling the drain of 2.Bundesliga.
Tied with Moritz Hartmann, with 6 apiece. Yes, it’s good, but ESPN is reporting that there “was a fitness issue”. I don’t know if it’s Ronaldo fat, maybe just Würstchen fat, but nothing like a locker room cancer.
The amount that the league allows. 2 Plus a 3rd DP slot which they had to pay for and that money gets distributed among teams without 3 DPs. Why do people feel the need to keep coming up with the DP of LA Conspiracy theories. Buddle wouldn’t come as a DP, and with a few players retiring and maybe cutting Adam Christman’s 40-50K they should be able to pay Buddle around 150-200K. Buddle would NOT be a DP. The 3 DPs are Donovan, Beckham and Keane, get over it
I think Vancouver should pick him up.
lol beas? u remember 2002? come on bruh.
Captain Obvious, in the future please give us your definition of skill before you make trollish statements like this or save us the carpal tunnel in responding to you by shutting your crackerhole (it’s a little like a pie hole but dummer).
Every soccer nation is littered with youth prospects that don’t pan out, but you’ve listed several players who are in the midst of quite successful careers, so I’m not sure what you’re even going on about.
“Exactly how many DPs does LA get to have?”
17 or however many Bruce needs to get the job done. kinda like injury time for Man U
Philly could use him now, but he’s LA’s to refuse if I understand the article.
Thought I would never see the day I would ever be agreeing with Chris, but captain obvious Beasley is a very skilled player. He broke his leg and it messed up his career and set it back a little. But now he is doing good in Mexico.
i also believe they had a coaching change and the new coach didnt rate Buddle even though he was tied for lead in goals with team! go figure
Yeah you’re right bud, everyone’s just a racist on this site i guess
Doubt it is $$$ related. Ingolstadt are bankrolled by Audi.
Wow, good catch–I didn’t even notice that.
We get all of them. Galaxy ’till I die! (Or we get a team in San Diego)
Hmmm….I’d think he’d have to go into a league-wide lottery (for USNT players). If so, that might explain why only Portland showed interest in Renken.
Great news….LA desperately needs a 2nd Striker for Champions League.
If Keane goes down or has international dates, who would they start? Cristman and Barrett? Landon is needed on the wing where he is most dangerous.
OK, maybe Alan Gordan 2.0. He’s OK as a guy to bring in to bang and close out a game with a lead, but he’s not starting material in MLS.
His tear in 2010 was one of the hottest streaks I have ever seen…amazing goals.
Welcome home, Edson!
Yeah… the only thing these guys have in common is that they’re black. So the only point you’ve successfully made is that you’re racist. Congrats!
Sick tandem with Landon and Becks behind them
Heck ya…exciting player that should have never left. Hopefully Klinsmann gives this guy more of a chance than Bob did.
I wonder if they let Edson keep his custom Audi?
wonder if this guys is racist? wonder what he thinks of eto, drogba, seedorf, kanu? SOme of guys he might have a pint, but beas, and cunningham have great touches.
I will gladly welcome Buddle back in LA with open arms.
I wish to watch another heart breaking game.
Frozen out by a new coach. Glad he got out — hope he can find another European squad, because he was doing well.
Can someone at Ingolstadt please say, “You ahhhh tuh-min-ated,” in their best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice? Please wear sunglasses to do so.
I think he’s overrated, LA will make you look good.
poor Buddle. why did he join that team in the firstplace?
Wow, you must be really stupid.
+1,000,000
Well then lucky for him that he’s going back there…
He tried to go to England before joining Ingolstadt but couldn’t qualify for a work permit (not sure how that’s possible when Ream, Rogers, and Bedoya did).
Poor Buddle? I’m sure he earned some good money over there. Now he gets to comfortably come home to a championship team that is better than when he left. They can also pay him more now.
A scorer is a scorer anywhere….