As Buddle-for-USA Momentum Crests, the Numbers Game Remains Unchanged

After two goals this weekend in Major League Soccer against Real Salt Lake, Los Angeles Galaxy striker Edson Buddle has seen the case to get him on the United States' plane to South Africa reach a fever pitch.  The Associated Press does a good job of describing that landscape, one part of which deserves further reflection - a part that ties into the news earlier today affirming that Charlie Davies will be hard pressed to make an impact at this year's World Cup.

Before we go there, some information on Buddle.  Profiles as a number nine and is now in his tenth season in Major League Soccer.  Had a good run to start his career and then spent a few seasons bouncing around, tending to some off-the-pitch problems, before landing in L.A two years ago.  Although he struggled last season, the resumé accumulated with the Galaxy shows a forward scoring once every two matches - pretty impressive.

Buddle's 32 goals in 66 matches since adorning the Galaxy kit parallels the numbers accumulated by Conor Casey since his return from Germany.  It's a better rate than Brian Ching has accumulated at Houston (39 goals in 87 matches) and bests Kenny Cooper's performance at FC Dallas (40 in 90).

The one major difference between Buddle and that trio:  those players have been involved in Bob Bradley's set-up for some time.  Buddle has not been capped since 2003.  Eddie Johnson has also been more involved in the team, as has Robbie Findley.  And Jeff Cunningham lurks.

But part of the reason Buddle's name is being mentioned:  some feel he's an improvement on those options.  A contrarian looks at the forward options and notes:

• Jozy Altidore has struggled with Hull,
• Conor Casey has only two international goals in 19 international matches, both somewhat flukey,
• Brian Ching is currently hurt and still weeks away from a return,
• Kenny Cooper never seems to be a significant part of Bob Bradley's plans,
• Jeff Cunningham is 33, has 14 caps and one goal,
• Eddie Johnson is at a lesser level than Altidore, yet has similar playing time and scoring rate issues,
• Robbie Findley has looked out of his element in his handful of appearances.

Consider that a devil's advocate bullet-point list, one almost any avid United States supporter can rattle-off, but also one that may be a little off-base.

Buddle should not be seen as competing with this entire group for four or five forward spots.  He is competing with the other number nines for two or three spots.  There is only so much of one type of player Bradley's likely to take.

Amongst the number nines, it seems unlikely Buddle will be chosen over Altidore or Casey, and the only reason Ching is not in that group is because of his health.  If Ching is healthy by the time the 23-man squad is named at the end of May, how does Bob leave him out?  Particularly for somebody who is unproven in the national team set-up?

And while Buddle's current form justifies this discussion, there have been points where we've seen Cooper, Johnson, and Cunningham have similar success in Major League Soccer.  Buddle has seven goals in four matches?  Cunningham had five goals in one match, relatively recently.  So there's only so much we can look at Buddle's numbers without acknowledging other players in this discussion can and have put those numbers up, too.

For my money, Buddle should not go to South Africa, which is not to say he would not be good (or I don't want him to go), but when you look at the entire striker pool, it's difficult to foresee a scenario where he should be one of the 2-3 strikers selected.

Maybe I'm wrong.  You tell me, but also vote.  This poll will say open until May 30.

More on this:

Steven Goff's 30-man squad and thoughts on the forward pool (Washington Post)

Nick Green looking at Buddle, Herculez Gomez (Los Angeles Daily News)

FanHouse says Buddle's in the picture