It's nearly one AM as I start to write this, and about an hour ago, I woke up from a bubonic plague-induced sleep in time to see Edson Buddle score his league-leading seventh goal of the season, and his league-leading fourth game winner against League Champions Real Salt Lake. And there's just one thought in my head. This guy should be at the World Cup.
Looking at the US roster, I can't see any reason why Buddle shouldn't be in the squad. Jozy Altidore is a lock, Charlie Davies should be there if he's fit, and beyond that...? Brian Ching and Conor Casey? I've never been a fan of our country's fascination with trying to find a new Brian McBride. It feels like we'd rather force square pegs into big shoes than try to get the best out of the tools we have. And I don't see any of the other American strikers in MLS anywhere close to replicating Buddle's form. Brian Ching is injured, but can rehabbing an injury be nearly as effective a World Cup preparation as leading the league in goals?
When it comes to who to take this summer, my opinion boils down to this: the World Cup isn't a marathon, it's a sprint followed by a series of heavyweight boxing matches. One or two composed finishes can mean the difference between going home early and making it to the knockout rounds, and at the moment, no American striker looks as composed as Edson Buddle. It can't hurt, either, to have a striker with an excellent understanding of our best playmaker.
It should also be mentioned how well Buddle would complement Jozy Altidore up top. Jozy's not the traditional, "get up there and we'll try to bounce it off your head" big man. He's at his best when he can use his strength and athleticism to disrupt the opposition and create openings for other players while remaining a physical threat in the box, one of the reasons a quick, technical player like Charlie Davies works so well with him, and one of the reasons I think he's wasted when used with a big, immobile target man. For me, at least, Buddle has the quickness, the composure, and the positional sense to get more out of Jozy than many of the other strikers in the US pool.
There are plenty of variables in play here, though. Can Buddle sustain his form for two more months? It's a tall order, but if come June, he's scoring half as often as he is now, he deserves a spot. Will Charlie Davies be ready? I hope so, and to be honest, I think he will. But even if he is, right now Buddle is more deserving of the third striker slot than many USMNT regulars. Will Bob Bradley take a gamble on a player who has never played under him? It's up to Buddle to make it impossible for Bradley to ignore him.
And you know what? It's not just me who's spouting this opinion. Landon Donovan wants him there, too.
