Morning Ticker: Donovan talks Europe move, Buddle a transfer target and the forward Toronto missed out on

                                                             By ISIphotos.com

Good morning folks. It was a very interesting day here at the All-Star festivities. While several players had yet to arrive, there was still enough interviews to do and enough information to uncover.

With that in mind, here is an MLS-heavy Morning Ticker, complete with some transfer rumors and one unhappy coach.

Donovan addresses rumors of Europe move

With growing rumors swirling that Landon Donovan is set for a move to Europe, Los Angeles Galaxy star and U.S. national team captain confirmed that he is more interested in a move than ever, but was careful to quell suggestions that a move was imminent.

"Competitively I have that itch to go test it," Donovan said of moving to Europe. "And now, as opposed to when I was younger, I feel like I'm ready. Physically I'm ready, mentally, psychologically I'm ready. I know I could handle it, so now I'm having that itch to go try it again.

"When i was younger, I admittedly wasn't ready."

Donovan, whose experiences with European soccer consist of two failed stints with German club Bayer Leverkusen, stated that a move isn't imminent and that he's been stating his new philosophy on a move to Europe since late last season.

"That could still be a long way away," said Donovan. "That's a hope, that at some point it happens.

"That doesn't mean it's going to happen," Donovan said. "If it doesn't happen the I'll be fine. It's not like I have some pressing need, but it would fun at some point."

Carver blasts Cunningham, Wynne

Toronto FC head coach John Carver had to believe his club had found a miracle when a loose ball sat near the goal-line just waiting to be kicked in. Forward Jeff Cunningham was right near the ball but couldn't put it in, which forced TFC to settle for a 1-1 tie against Montreal on Tuesday night. The tie cost Toronto a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

"I'm thinking How has he scored 99 goals?'," Carver said of Cunningham's failure to find the game-winning goal in that late scramble. "That's what I thought. How has he scored 99 goals in this league, because, if you're a poacher and you've got desire, no matter how you put the ball over the line you put the ball over the line."

Carver repeatedly stated TFC's desperate need for help at forward, saying the team needs two new forwards to get out of its current funk.

"When we're having to depend on a 16-year-old boy to be our lead striker I think that tells you everything," said Carver, referring to Abdus Ibrahim, who started as the lone striker in Toronto's 4-5-1.

Carver didn't just bash Cunningham. He saved some venom for U.S. Olympic team defender Marvell Wynne, who played his last game before joining U.S. Olympic training camp in California.

"I had to try and get my fullbacks involved in the game to try and create something," Carver said. "Unfortunately,  when the fullbacks did get into the final third the lack of quality, certainly down the right-hand side, was disappointing.

"This is a guy who's going away to play in the Olympics."

A Costly miss on the transfer market

Toronto FC's lengthy search for a striker has been well-documented but one of the lesser-known strikers the club targeted, and nearly signed, was Honduran national team striker Carlos Costly.

Toronto midfielder and Honduran national team player Amado Guevara confirmed on Tuesday that Costly was ready to sign with Toronto FC before his current club, Polish side GKS Belchatow, signed him to an improved contract.

"If we could have signed him, it would have been amazing," Guevara lamented. "We need forwards, that's clear for everyone to see."

Norwegian club makes bid for Buddle?

One of the more interesting developments I heard about on Tuesday was that an unidentified Norwegian club made a $1 million offer for Los Angeles striker Edson Buddle. The Galaxy doesn't look like it will be parting with Buddle, although forward Carlos Ruiz could still be on his way out, especially if growing rumors about Peruvian midfielder Carlos Ruiz Nolberto Solano signing with Los Angeles are true.

That's all for now. What do you about

Comments

[Maple Leaf Red]

You have a typo. Peruvian midfielder Nolberto Solano might sign in LA.

[AJ]

The Gals are going to replace Carlos Ruiz with Carlos Ruiz? Isn't one enough?

[Andrew]

Wait, there's two Carlos Ruizes?

[Mike]

Any word on where Landycakes is looking or who may be keeping tabs on him?

[mig22]

One is definitely more than enough. :)

Solano, yes. That would be awesome for the Galaxy.

[Eric]

LA would have to be completely stupid to seell Buddle for 1 million. If Donovan leaves next season, Buddle will be their only consistant scoring threat. Besides, he's worth more than that to LA right now.

[Eric]

I'll say it...

Wow, Carver's a dick.

[kpugs]

Carver is a fool. Never publicly throw your players under the bus. You do it constructively, in private. All this type of thing results in his players hating him, and they won't put out anything near their best effort for this guy if he is treating them like dirt.

I love how there are still people out there in the world that think Buddle is good. Sure he has 11 goals THIS season. But he scores all of his goals in one or two hat trick games per year. He is lazy, slow, can't pass, and one of the biggest busts this league has ever seen. I hope that Norwegian club is planning to sign Beckham too, so he can ricochet balls of Buddle into the net and let Buddle continue taking all the credit.

Which makes me wonder, Eric, have you ever seen Buddle play before this season? "Consistant scoring threat?" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Everyone gets lucky sometimes.

[Sean]

Maybe the Galaxy are signing this one, though I don't think he's Peruvian:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7757

Might be an improvement over Cronin at least. :)

[nate]

Nice work Carver! Maybe try starting TWO strikers in a MUST WIN game next time and you won't have to worry about bashing your players.

Wynne has looked excellent this year, IMO. His crossing still can use improvement, but he's clearly one of the top right backs in the league.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Carver is far from a fool.
Cunny has been on the outs for months at this point and finally deserves a kick in the ass. I have no doubt Cunny is on his way out and that his club hates him at this point.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Hard to start 2 strikers when youve really only got one of any quality. Our midfield was dominant last night and it was due to the fact that the strikers got sacreficed. We would have lost significantly if we hda played with 2 strikers. This I assure you.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

The only thing that i think should have been done was start smith and sub him off if he looks poor or at the half for Ibrahim.
Outside of that Carver did nothing wrong.

[William the Terror]

Was Toronto's failure to sign the Honduran striker due to the fact that it was Carlos "too Costly?"

[Fumar]

Carver desperately needs a striker and the Fire won't give him Barrett? This would be a win-win. The Fire get rid of the shank machine, and the Fire get a finisher in his place. I guess that's just two wins for the Fire. Come on. Make the deal!!!

[J]

Not a TFC fan, but I like how Carver pulls no punches. I could care less about Landycakes, but it would be a loss for MLS in that they need players in the league they can market or push. It can't be the Beckham show all day, all night.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

I do agree with Kpugs on Buddle tho.
Its all luck at this point for that fatbastard. Should rid of him while they can...

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also think carver was a bit harsh on Wynne, who was ok, needs to step up his defending a bit, offense is good, defending, not so much. Had way too much room on the right.

[Aljarov]

Cunningham needs to go...for whatever reason it's not worke dout in Toronto. If he doesn't get a new gig soon he'll never hit the ton mark. His confidence must be rock bottom, are tongue lashings like that will do nothing to help the situation.

This is all on Mo...he needs to get some deals for strikers DONE, like yesterday already.

Not going to stop us missing out on the CL, but if he can act now, it might save our once promising season...

[Dave Martinez]

Carvers words about both players are dead on.

As far as Marvell Wynne - was I the only one shocked to find out he beat out Hunter Freeman for the right side of that Olympics D?! Give me Hunters cross over Wynnes speed anyday.

[anotherbodymurdered]

Are we witnessing the public implosion of TFC?

[Sandro]

I heard the rumor that Solano may sign with LA Galaxy. I wonder if he would have been a better fit with the Red Bulls.

[Dave Martinez]

I am so with Carver on both players. But Wynne - how did he win the rb spot from Hunter Freeman? I am still scratching my head over that one.

[joe k]

totally agree with kpugs --
those of us who were here in the ny/nj area can remember buddle's terrible time with the red bulls.
if you can get *anything* for a player that was traded for tim regan, you should go for it.

LA would be stupid *not* to dump him while his stock is high.

and i forget -- was lalas in new york when we got buddle? what about when he was traded?

he's going to do well when he has two teammates who are constantly double-teamed. even alan gordon looks okay sometimes out there.

[joe k]

heck -- put oscar etcheverry in buddle's spot on the galaxy for a few months, and you might be able to squeeze out a quarter-million transfer fee...

[brett]

kpugs- watch out... i said the same thing about JCO publicly calling out the redbulls and i get labeled public enemy #1... :-/

[Betinho]

Buddle has averaged a goal about every 180 minutes played throughout his career. That adds up to 64 goals. Come on guys...he doesn't suck.

[Ives]

No folks, there aren't two Carlos Ruiz's. Well, there are, but I wouldn't write about the Philadelphia Phillie's catcher. I blame it on the hazards of writing in a car.

[Betinho]

Where would Landon play in the EPL? He's got too big of an ego for the Fulhams and isn't going to get picked up by the big four, so which team would he fit with?

[seven]

Ossington, you are being very generous to Carver if you think his only mistake was not starting Smith. His decisions over the past few games have been mind-boggling.

Chicago: claims that he is going with a more attacking starting line-up. To achieve this he tries to turn 2 full-backs into wingbacks & adds a 3 centre-back. Despite the added defender they still give up their customary early road goal. Trying desperately to hang on to a 1-1 tie Carver doesn't use his 3rd sub even though it is obvious the defense is exhaused. Result: an injury-time winner on a defensive blunder.

San Jose: Toronto dominates possession, but barely creates any scoring chances. Carver's only move is to remove Ibrahim for Cunningham. San Jose's defenders are exhausted & a fresh Smith could have caused problems. Carver does not even change the formation to push more players into the attack.

Montreal: Despite needing a win Carver again replaces Ibrahim with Cunningham. The only other move is to put on a defender as a striker so they have a target for long balls. Granted this almost works, but surely a fresh Smith would have caused tired Montreal defenders problems especially since alost all of them had been booked.

Good coaches use all of the resources they have even if the options aren't great.

[Dave Martinez]

kpugs - I put up a post not too long ago with a t-shirt that says "Hat Trick Buddle" - old metro fans would have been slapping their heads in shock.

BUT

I did get to see him first hand at the Galaxy game, and the kid is night and day what he was with the Bulls. He has a much improved first touch, he is actually helping set up other forwards with light touch passes, or controlling the ball into open areas, which he NEVER did with us.

i was skeptical about his performance this year, and am still rather with you - sell while the iron is hot. But Buddle is enjoying more than just a hot streak - his game has matured greatly (as much as it hurts me to say).

[Dave Martinez]

kpugs - I put up a post not too long ago with a t-shirt that says "Hat Trick Buddle" - old metro fans would have been slapping their heads in shock.

BUT

I did get to see him first hand at the Galaxy game, and the kid is night and day what he was with the Bulls. He has a much improved first touch, he is actually helping set up other forwards with light touch passes, or controlling the ball into open areas, which he NEVER did with us.

i was skeptical about his performance this year, and am still rather with you - sell while the iron is hot. But Buddle is enjoying more than just a hot streak - his game has matured greatly (as much as it hurts me to say).

[Betinho]

Oss - thought you were going to stay away from forums today?

[Kaiser]

The Galaxy can't put Alan "first touch of a chainsaw" Gordon out there! (thanks NHJ)

Buddle is riding a wave of good form, I say ride it out. A lot of his goals are hustle goals where he simply outworks other guys. The Galaxy need more hustle, not less.

I think Donovan should leave at the end of the year. He needs the challange of Europe.

[Tony in Quakeland]

On Carver: He's right. And if Cunningham can't respond by raising his game, it's time to move on.

On Buddle: Yes...but...I have followed his career since the beginning and he showed flashes, especially early, of being a terrific player. Later, he became more and more lazy. But this year he is doing stuff i have not seen him did before and is much more consistent and positive. In the Quakes game, he worked hard the whole game and buried the three chances he got. In another recent game (Red Bulls) he took on a defender and set up a nice assist. This isn't stuff he did before. He may have finally matured. That said, he'd be a fool to leave LA.

[DL]

Betinho - I think the most likely scenario is Donovan joining a mid-table team (think, Spurs/Newcastle/Portsmouth). If he doesn't have too big of an ego for Galaxy, he certainly wouldn't for those teams.

[Reid]

On the Donovan topic - him going to Spurs wouldnt surprise me especially if Keane goes. I've always found them to be similar players.
As for Carver, harsh words but true, i see the extreme potential in wynne and it disappoints to no end his last few touches when he gets upfield.

[2mas]

Rosenborg and Vålerenga have been watching forwards in the MLS this summer.

Any chance you can find out whether any of these two are the unknown Norwegian club bidding on Bubble?

[Victor]

Selling Buddle wouldn't make sense. Does AEG really need the money? I can't hardly think so with the Beckham cash machine around. If LA's committed to being the biggest team in North America then selling one of your top scorers for a bit of cash doesn't make sense, unless Ruud has someone on the bench that can do better.

[Cosmos Forever]

Selling Buddle wouldn't make sense. Does AEG really need the money? I can't hardly think so with the Beckham cash machine around. If LA's committed to being the biggest team in North America then selling one of your top scorers for a bit of cash doesn't make sense, unless Ruud has someone on the bench that can do better.

[Joe B.]

With the TFC coach spouting off the way he did I would love to see Wynne come back to New York. Seriously...

[Eugene]

If Toronto is looking to offload Marvell Wynne, I think NY would love to have him back!

Look, its easy for Carver to blame the loss and the current problems on his forwards or perceived lack of forwards, but the reality is that his tactics have also been generally poor this season. Playing a 2 forward system would have allowed both guys to get more opportunities rather than relying on his fullbacks and wingers to create opportunities in a 4-5-1. Honestly, Carver has no one to blame more than himself for the recent failures to score. At least he's not blaming Ibrahim... yet...

This team has an unused DP slot and have Chicago over a barrel with the McBride negotiations. If they need a quality forward, they really have no excuse for why they haven't gotten a DP. Has anyone called Crespo's agent? They also need to work the Chicago negotiations out to their benefit quickly, whether the trade involves 2 teams or more.

[Dannyc58]

West Ham boards have said Hammers are going to look at Donovan as a potential signing, they said this 2 weeks ago, before any signings came out...

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Betinho-
This is a blog isnt it;)

Seven-
I agree its been a mistake to put Cunny in in all fo those games and obviously Carver is to blame but on the same hand Cunny does have a record (in the past, long before TFC) in which he scored goals (one of which was a game winner this year). As a result i dont think its entirely ridiculous that he subs/starts him in a game. Granted we all lost faith in Cunny a long time ago and know that hes useless. If Cunny isnt sent away, i highly doubt we will see him play at all for the rest of the season. I do hold Carver responsible for putting him in but then again it is up to Cunny to do his job (one he did relatively well previously).
The rest of the team is measuring up to expectations, its not fargone to expect him to do the same (by that manner of thought).

[jpc]

All the Buddle hate is ridiculous...Before this season, I think it was very fair to rip Buddles career up to this point considering the hype, but you cannot call 11 goals to this point Luck (especially seeing as how he didn't see the field till the ____ game of the season)... The Kids been outstanding even when not scoring goals. his hold up play and passing have been very good, and he has very nice skills for such a big kid... his goals have been clinical and skillful, not simply poachers goals, and most of his goal scoring came when Donovan wasn't even playing, so any thoughts that he scored b/c nobody was paying attention are simply uninformed... Finally, nobody has been higher on Buddle's advancement as a player then Gullit and Beckham, not really two guys who need to blow smoke for a relatively unknown player like Buddle.

As far as Donovan goes, I want him to stay, but I think he would be more successful in Europe then any of us could imagine. See how much better he is now that he has a player of his caliber to play with in Beckham, him playing on a team where everyone is at his level I believe would push him to heights never reached by a US player, and more importantly give more credibility to other US players heading overseas (and more transfer dollars)

[Rob C]

Great stuff on the ticker this morning!

I would love to see Donovan go to Europe. Admittedly, after watching Donovan live at the USA/Argentina game and then last weekend at the LA/NY match, I'm a convert. I think he's a fantastic player and is in the early part of his prime, and he's HUGE for the USMNT going forward. He would benefit from a move to Europe, and I think Spain or England would suit him best because of his speed and direct style of play.

As for TFC, Carver is being honest about his players, but doing it in the media isn't the best move. But maybe the players will respond. We'll see.

[DeLarge]

Buddle is RELIABLE. I have seen him put in an honest effort EVERY night the Gals play. More than you could say about Carlos The-Ball-Wasn't-Played-To-Me-Perfectly-So-Screw-This-Chance Ruiz.

Buddle is a better striker than 75% of those in MLS right now, and has always rocked on grass. He doesn't shank the ball, he just sometimes hangs on to it for too long.

[Juke Box Hero]

That 3 way trade (some form of McBride to Chicago, Conde to LA and Ruiz to Toronto) should have happened several weeks ago. All 3 clubs are paying for not doing it, imo.

I always seem to disagree with what kpugs posts (as well as the needless insults that ususally accompany such posts), and here is no different. If you can't see that Buddle has finally put all of his considerable talents together this year, and that he is not the same player he was in NY, then I think you haven't been watching close enough. He always had skill, strength and finishing, but this year he's added hustle, heart, and consistency.

I'd 'power rank' him at #4 right now in the USMNT's available strikers, behind Donovan, Dempsey & Cooper.

[BJR]

Kpugs: "I love how there are still people out there in the world that think Buddle is good. Sure he has 11 goals THIS season. But he scores all of his goals in one or two hat trick games per year. He is lazy, slow, can't pass, and one of the biggest busts this league has ever seen. I hope that Norwegian club is planning to sign Beckham too, so he can ricochet balls of Buddle into the net and let Buddle continue taking all the credit."

Maybe you should try watching him *this season* before you stick your foot further down your bitter throat.

[DL]

Juke Box - You would put Buddle over Altidore?

[KingSnake]

It would be too sweet for Landycakes to simultaneously get a taste of English tackling *and* English reffing ...

[Nicole]

Interesting stuff from Landon, Ives. Thanks for asking him about it directly.

[Nicole]

And by the way, the "Landycakes" stuff is way past getting old. You pseudo macho types need to grow up. Landon has; follow suit, will ya?

[seven]

Ossington, my problem isn't with Carver putting Cunningham in as a sub, but that shouldn't be your only move. There are a lot of other moves he could be making when the team needs a goal. Go to 3 at the back, use 2 strikers, bring on fresh young legs that can run at tired defenders. You are allowed 3 subs. . .use them.

[Nicole]

I meant to add to my post: he's the best player on the US Men's National Team. Deal with it.

[John]

If I were a striker in MLS, I'd want to play for Chicago or LAG just for the service I'd get. I don't doubt that Buddle has run his tail off this year (as has Barrett always). But you could put a cardboard cutout of Gerd Muller on the field with Beckham/Donovan or Blanco and that cutout would get at least 2-3 goals during the season. Great passers with vision make stiffs look credible (see: Steve Rammel).

I think the deal with Buddle is this: he's a great athlete who, ever since he started getting minutes in MLS, has shown he can score goals. But not consistently. And not even inconsistently enough to justify keeping him. He's played for a variety of coaches and teams and they keep dropping him. Unless someone can argue that Buddle has changed his game in some way and moved to a new level, I don't rate the 11 goals as proving he's a strong player. LAG should sell him.

As for Carver, the point isn't whether those comments are deserved or not. This isn't England where you can easily reload or get a loan of some talent and everyone is on a short leash. He might very well be stuck with those forwards he's publicly blasting. Their salaries are guaranteed at this point, he's got a cap to deal with and exactly who is going to want to trade for Cunningham?

Just as an aside, TFC and MoJo are so busy trying to fleece other teams (the McBride thing is only one example) that they stick to themselves. Here's a team that needs a forward badly. They should focus on getting a good forward and they could easily deal McBride for an allocation or cap room that would facilitate that. Instead they focus on getting Mapp and while he's got ability as a player, again, what they they need is a finisher.

[joe k]

agreed with nicole -- donovan has come a long way, and he definitely is the best player on the US MNT. landycakes is just annoying.

and to that fool who says buddle is #4 forward for US: you're an idiot who probably plays too much MLS fantasy.

[Kaiser]

Juke Box Hero,

I agree on the 3 way trade. Each player is exactly what each team needs. Carver admits that TFC need a forward, Chicago wants McBride and McBride wants Chicago, and the CB combo of Conde and Franklin makes LA's defense look a whole lot better.

Lalas, Johnston, and whoever the guy in Chicago is...make this happen!

[Erik Abarca]

KPugs,i hear what u saying about Buddle, but I dont think its the case this year. I follow Buddle from day 1, and I'll be the first to tell u I was pissed, cuz i knew he had what it takes, but like u said, he lazy, scrore 2 hat tricks, etc.... but that is not the case, i got Direct kick, i watch all the games and i can tell u thats not the case this year. Donovan even said it last week, everything has changed w buddle, he is the 1st to practice and last to leave, that he is working way harder and puts in extra time in the gym, etc...

[kco]

Landy to Europe? I can see the future headlines now.

Donavon to Europe... Again
"Now that I'm a grown ass man, I thought I'd try again."

Beckham Frustrated, Demands Transfer
"Without Landon, this club sucks."

[Erik Abarca]

Buddle aint that bad, and i think he is good this year, and whats wrong with getting good service, isnt that what a foward suppose to do is score when given good service? I wouldnt hate on him, I'll be happy a fellow american goes abroad. i wish him the best, a move abroad can only make him and our national team better

[Tony in Quakeland]

dannyc58

Forgive me if I chuckle about Donovan winding up a Hammer, knowing your long standing (and in my mind wrong headed) dislike of him.

[andrew]

EDSON BUDDLE IS GOING TO THE EPL IN THE FUTURE. NORWAY ? FAT CHANCE

[Coach]

Rangers could use somebody like Donovan right about now. With Barry Ferguson out for a few months, they need a a central/right sided midfielder with pace and creativity. Actually, we can use pace and creativity just about anywhere.

If Donovan goes, I think he goes somewhere where he knows he'll get significant p/t. I've always liked Donovan, but I don't think it's a gimme that he'd get p/t with even a mid-table Prem club. He is the best outfield US player IMO, but I think we tend to overrate our players a bit.

[Erik Abarca]

yeah, theres no doubt Donovan is a little over rated, been waiting for a while now, for him to go back to Europe, lets see what he is really about. I really hope he performs out there.

[firecop]

If anyone knows---- " Where in the world is Brian Mc Bride" ?

[Juke Box Hero]

DL - I "power ranked" Buddle ahead of Altidore b/c he's been consistently terrific this year, while Altidore has had an up and down year and hasn't scored much (including a down olympic qalifying tourney). In fact, the complaints documented on this website involved Jozy lacking effort in practice and the games before transferring. Clearly, Jozy's got the better future, but in my subjective right this minute rankings, Buddle is just ahead of him. Also, you could flip Jozy ahead of Buddle, but take out one of LD & Dempsey as usually one but not both of them plays forward for the Nats.

To the guy who called me a fool and an idiot for the openly subjective opinion that Buddle is fourth in MY US forward power rankings right now, you embarass yourself dude.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Seven-
Definitely a good argument and quite suspect tactics, regardless im still giving Carver the benefit of the doubt as we still look leaps and bounds over last year and i do think that a quality striker (or two) would illeviate the current problem. Glad we can discuss this sanely and reasonably.

[Dannyc58]

Tony,

Check out BBI, I have done a 180 on him! Though I wasn't as outspoken against him as most. But I deserve that, haha.

[RK]

Nicole, I agree WRT Landycakes. It's old and, well, dumb.

[DL]

Interesting. And you're entitled to your own opinion, so I'm not gonna rag on you. I just was interested in your reasoning.

[KingSnake]

I simply despise Landycakes. Nothing to do with maturity; everything to do with him being a prima donna.

Oh, and to the person who suggested the Princess actually go to Scotland ... BWA-HA-HA-HA!!! Right. If English tackling is "hard", Scottish tackling is criminal.

[Kartik]

Boy to have missed on Carlos Costly who'd instantly be the best forward in this league, that's costly no pun intended!

[joe k]

saying that buddle could play on the national team is ludicrous. he's not nearly as good as twellman, and is even more of a pansy.

and about buddle's 'great' game against the red bulls -- he had one decent play, where he took advantage of jeff parke, who fell down on his own accord and chipped it to carlos ruiz, who was completely unmarked. it was a good play, but only happened because parke has forgotten how to defend in the past 3 weeks.

you're entitled to your opinion, but if you call warren g. harding a good president, be prepared to be openly mocked. as a fool.

[seven]

I'm starting to doubt whether a decent stiker, DP or not, is coming this year. Although Dichio is a limited player, Toronto really struggles to score without him in the line-up.

[joe k]

the conde->LA, mcbride->fire, ruiz->toronto suggestion is decent, except toronto is the big loser there, especially considering that toronto holds the strongest hand. (and mcbride is certainly better than ruiz)

[brian]

Buddle had two or three very good MLS seasons, then had a lot of nagging injuries--the kind that don't stop desk jockies like us from typing, but the kind that slow a striker down that extra step or two to get goals. now he's back to health and with a good organization. I say good luck to him and hope he gets another chance with the US Nats.

[DL]

I don't think it's "ludicrous" to say that Buddle could play with the USMNT - certainly not when you've got Bob Bradley behind the wheel. I mean, Buddle's gotta be better than Josh Wolff, right?
IMO, as long as he's not Kenny Cooper, he's got a chance of getting a call-up.

[Eugene]

I think seven hit the nail on the head. In a must win game, if you're not scoring you need to put on additional forwards rather than stick to a 4-5-1. Put on a 2nd forward. If that doesn't work, put on a 3rd forward and take off a defender. If you lose, its irrelevant how much you lost by -- the point is you have to go for the win.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Carver has had this team playing a 4-5-1 and long ball most of the season...

[Joamiq]

Wow. What a dumb move by Carver. Alienating your players is not how to motivate them. Especially a young player like Wynne, who has made strides this year.

Also, I will regain some respect for Donovan if he goes abroad and sticks it out for a while.

[Erik Abarca]

joe k, the difference is that TT has yet to produce anything on international stage, Buddle has'nt had his chance yet, so we don't know how he would do yet> Buddle deserves at least a look, along with Cooper of course, we aint got nothing else.

[Coach]

@ KingSnake, yeah I know Scottish tackling is criminal, probably the fiercest I've seen, but MLS tackling leans more toward criminal than not...

[brett]

Erik Abarca - i agree with you that buddle hasnt gotten a chance intl'ly yet... but honestly tightshirt and even the likes of EJ have accomplished what buddle's accomplished, even without the distribution of the likes of beckham... does buddle deserve a chance?? i guess, but i dont see it happening too soon.... quite simply with Adu, Altidore, and Cooper i dont see too much of a chance for him to break out (unless its a meaningless friendly that doesnt deem pulling up bigger names)....

buddle may be having a break out season, but like may have said, loads of forwards would be having break out seasons with Beckham distributing balls... altho i can give all of buddles accomplishments to beckham's distribution... buddle has accomplished quite a bit, what with already outscoring his best year before half way through the season.... i just dont see his chance coming too soon

[brett]

oh and landycakes is not going to scotland... outside of Celtic and Rangers, the rest of the league somewhat lacks consistancy and quality....

a mid to low table EPL team will probably be calling...

[Juke Box Hero]

Joe K - who has played so well at striker so as to make my opinion of Buddle as the current 4th best option foolish and idiotic and the equivalent of suggesting Harding was a good president? You suggest Twellman - as others have said he's done very little with many chances, and has been injured all year. Ching? Wolf? EJ? Rolfe? Barrett? Buddle has significantly outplayed all of them this year.

I don't know man, but I think you need to relax and make sure you're position is unassailable before you call people idiots and fools for thier positions.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Seven-
My biggest concern is that if we do sign someone(or several someones)whether itll be too late (as morgan campbell suggests.
I gotta say that Mo has been pretty good with the signings this year, all though there were a few tense weeks leading up ot them...

[Steve]

If Barrett ends up in Toronto it should be someone's job to put a camera on Carver for every second of every TFC game. It won't take long before his head explodes.

[brett]

Juke Box Hero-

forwards ahead of Buddle:

Altidore
Adu
Dempsey (even tho he's not a forward per say)
Landycakes
Cooper

now dempsey, landycakes and Adu can switch from a playmaker, to a forward, to a winger... but as far as true forwards would go, id still say he's behind Cooper and Altidore

[Jon E]

Yeah, all the Buddle-bashing seems outdated or just wrong. I'm a Galaxy fan. I watched him all last season and was confused why they kept him on the roster (other than, you know, they had to play Alan Gordon so clearly they were desperate). But this season he's CONSISTENTLY been working hard, making (or at least trying to make) smart passes, getting in good positions, and successfully taking on defenders. Oh, and scoring goals. Not sure what else anybody would want a striker to do.

[Jon E]

Oh, and different people have different opinions about calling players out publicly for their screw-ups, but I'm against it in almost all cases. Especially when it sounds like ass-covering by the coach to me. And especially when, by the same logic, it looks like a lot of TFC players could call out Carver for his own screw-ups. And then everybody's pointing fingers and nobody's playing soccer.

I haven't been watching TFC much this season, so I could well be wrong. But in situations like this, it seems like these are the possible explanations: 1) the players aren't good enough, 2) the players aren't being used properly, 3) the players aren't trying hard enough, or 4) some mix of the above.

If it's #1, there's no point in calling them out. If it's #2, it's dishonest to call them out. If it's #3, then fine, call them out. But as a coach you have to call yourself out too--if few or none of your key players are performing well, is that just a fluke or have you lost the locker room? And losing the locker room, for whatever reason, is a coaching problem.

[Juke Box Hero]

Brett - a reasonable list, which would leave Buddle sixth. You could list Adu as a striker, but I think of Adu as an attacking mid and therefore not on this list (I think he'll be in midfield behind Jozy and McBride in China). Also, Dempsey and Donovan have primarily split time between right wing and striker when both on the field, so you could count them as 1 striker. You count all these guys and I agree Buddle is 5th or sixth. But he's still relatively young and moving up the list.

[Paul Lorinczi]

kpugs.....

Did you ever see Buddle play before he went to the Red Bulls?

He was one of my favorites. Great touch in tight spaces. It was a shame he got into trouble in Columbus.

I think we are seeing him come back. Of the games I have seen him play, he has been consistent.

BTW, did you guys see the comments by Xavier regarding Gullit. Interesting, those were the same complaints players had of him at Newcastle too.

[sobetb]

paul - didn't se the comments. What did he have to say?

[brett]

Juke Box Hero - i understand your reasoning, i was simply putting the list of players id have play forward over Buddle... there are stipulations obviously... where is adu, dempsey and LD playing?? so i guess our lists arent that much different

[CD]

Donovan addresses rumors of Europe move:

Yah, thanks for clearing that up...

"That doesn't mean it's going to happen," Donovan said. "If it doesn't happen the I'll be fine. It's not like I have some pressing need, but it would fun at some point."

[Kristian Lewis]

Wow, the Edson Buddle bashers on this form have a lot of sour grapes. I assume since this is an East Coast column that primarily the Red Bull and Toronto fans reading it have this negative image of Buddle because he didn't find the net for your teams. The guy has 63 career goals in 7 seasons. Not sure they exact place, but I am pretty sure that puts him the top 20 all time goal scorers in the MLS and he is only 27 years old. I am not saying he is world class, but he is by far one of the classiest strikers in the MLS. And his work rate and production on and off the ball this season easily makes him one of the best players in the league. Hate all you want, be he is better than all but a few strikers in this league and in the top five of all US strikers. Give the guy his due.

[Justice]

I think Carver is out of line for ripping his players in public. Those types of comments aren't, in my mind, for public consumption. If anything you say it behind closed doors or during a training session. That being said, I think cunningham is pretty much done at TFC. Wynne on the other hand has so much raw athleticism and talent to be considered a lost cause. His game has come a long way. Regarding LD, I think am move would be terrific for him at this point. His game is the strongest it's been in a while, and the gaudy numbers he'll put up this season would be perfect springboard for a move to Europe. I'd love to see Landon in the EPL but I honestly believe La Liga is where he needs to be. If a move to England is what ends up happening, then I totally agree with LDs agent when he said that what ever team he went to would have to play attractive wide open soccer. Dump and chase doesn't suit LDs skill set. I'd love to see him at a Tottenham or Villa. He needs to go at the end of the season.

[brett]

Kristian Lewis - 63 goals in 7 seasons?? that places in in the average forward list... the average forward will score anywhere between 8-12 goals a season... of course this isnt always a guarentee, but its an approximation....

unlike other leagues, alot of the goals come from other positions then just forward... and with the league not having a drastic difference from top to bottom, you wont see a team consistantly beat teams 3-0+....

[Paul]

2mas: Do you follow Norwegian football? I thought I was the only one in this group!

[betinho]

Brett - look at Buddles goals per minutes played and it is pretty good - 1/180min. that a goal every other game. Not shabby and ahead of Kenny Cooper's pace - 1/200+ minuntes.