Former LA Galaxy forward Edson Buddle scored in his debut for 2.Bundesliga side FC Ingolstadt 04 in a 1-1 draw on Friday night against promotion candidates MSV Duisburg.
The US World Cup striker was the first to react to a loose ball at the top of the six-yard box on a play that started from a corner kick. He fired home the close-range right-footed shot past fellow American David Yelldell, who was in goal for Duisburg.
The 76th-minute strike looked to be enough for die Schanzer to capture all three points in their first home game of the 2011 calendar year, but MSV Duisburg netted the equalizer with four minutes remaining. Buddle, who also saw a header go over the bar just before halftime, was substituted in the 88th minute.
Following the expiration of his contract with the Galaxy, Buddle trialed in England with Birmingham City before agreeing to a deal with Ingolstadt. The German club was also recently looking at the possibility of securing the transfer of American midfielder Freddy Adu, who plays for Portuguese side Benfica.
The point lifted Ingolstadt to 13 points in the 2.Bundesliga standings but the club is still mired in the relegation zone. Die Schanzer remain in 17th place, just four points behind Karlsruher. The team that finishes in 16th place in the 2.Bundesliga plays off for the right to remain in the league.
Ingolstadt have 15 matches remaining to improve upon their 3-12-4 record and climb out of the relegation zone of the German second division. Their next game comes Jan. 24 at Rot-Weiß Oberhausen, who sit five points above Ingolstadt in 15th place.
