Edson Buddle didn't score a goal for the first time this season, in Saturday’s match at Kansas City.
Without Buddle’s firepower, the Galaxy weren't able to score at all and settled for a scoreless draw.
But is it that simple? If Buddle goes, so does the Galaxy’s offense?
“Not really, I don’t think so,” Buddle said. “It hasn’t been like that in the past. I don’t think it’s going to be like that this year. We’re back home and I’m pretty sure someone’s going to score sooner or later.”
Buddle has scored all seven of the Galaxy’s goals this season and before Saturday those goals were good enough to help the Galaxy claim victories.
But without Buddle firing balls into the back of the net, none of his teammates was able to pick up the slack. Relying on one player for all the goals, though, is not a concern; nor is it something that will cause the team to stress over, insisted Buddle.
“It’s still early,” Buddle said. “We’re glad we’ve gotten off to the start we’ve gotten to and just want to continue to win games, especially at home. I don’t think it’s something that we’re pressing this early in the season. Maybe if it was late, close to the playoffs, you might be pressing a little bit to make sure things are right, right before the playoffs but right now we’re in a good state of mind.”
The Galaxy will host the expansion Philadelphia Union on Saturday. The Philadelphia defense has yielded nine goals in four games, and they might be without injured star Sébastian Le Toux.
But more than the opponent’s form, Buddle said what matters more is the Galaxy’s desire to win the game because of the location.
“Bruce [Arena] has stressed all year that he wants to win at home and wants to have a better home record than last year,” Buddle said. “This is a home game coming up so we want to capitalize, taking care of our home field.”
One thing that might be in Buddle’s favor is his knowledge of Philly ‘keeper Chris Seitz. In the offseason, Buddle spent time playing games locally with other MLS players, Seitz among them. Seitz has struggled and come under heavy criticism in the early going of the season.
“I haven’t seen him since the offseason,” Buddle said. “He’s done a lot of good things. When goals are being scored that seems to be highlighted a little bit more.”
Think about it another way, and Buddle could have been talking about himself.
