29 Facts About Edson Buddle

Edson Michael Buddle was born on May 21,1981 and is an American former professional soccer player who is currently the head coach of USL League Two side Westchester Flames.

Edson Buddle is one of only 13 players to have scored 100 goals in Major League Soccer history.

Edson Buddle then spent 2001 to 2010 in Major League Soccer, playing for the Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, and LA Galaxy.

Edson Buddle has played for the United States national team, including two appearances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Edson Buddle began his professional career in 2000, when he signed with Long Island Rough Riders of the A-League.

Edson Buddle helped the team win the Northeast Division, scoring eleven goals and four assists, and was a finalist for the A-League Rookie of the Year Award.

Edson Buddle played only 556 minutes in his first year, but scored three goals and two assists.

The pattern repeated itself in 2004, as Edson Buddle missed significant time to injury, but still scored eleven goals and two assists in twenty starts.

Edson Buddle had a disappointing year in his tenure with the team only scoring six goals because he was battling a foot injury.

On November 22,2006, Edson Buddle was traded to Toronto FC for Tim Regan.

Edson Buddle failed to score in 10 appearances for the Reds but assisted on the club's first ever goal, setting up Danny Dichio to score against Chicago Fire in front of the south stand at BMO Field.

On June 13,2007, Edson Buddle was traded to LA Galaxy for Tyrone Marshall.

Edson Buddle scored his first goal for the Galaxy against Real Salt Lake.

Edson Buddle was not expected to be a starting striker as the 2008 MLS season began, as the Galaxy already had three attacking forwards in Carlos Ruiz, Landon Donovan and Alan Gordon.

In spite of this, Edson Buddle became a prominent striker on the LA offense in 2008, filling in for the injured Guatemalan striker Ruiz or when Donovan and Ruiz were absent while on international duty.

Edson Buddle scored two hat tricks during his first season in Los Angeles: one in Week 8 against FC Dallas and one in Week 12 against San Jose Earthquakes, winning the MLS Player of the Week in both weeks.

ESPN's Andrea Canales noted that Edson Buddle had once suffered from a reputation of being "maddeningly lazy at times, giving up on passes that didn't fall in his striking-sweet zone," but that he had improved due to guidance from Beckham and an improved self-confidence as he scored more goals.

Edson Buddle continued his strong form after returning from the World Cup, continuing to lead the league in scoring when the 2010 MLS All-Star Game rosters were announced despite having missed several matches on international duty.

On October 24,2010, Los Angeles Galaxy won the Western Conference and the Supporter's Shield, with Edson Buddle winning the Galaxy's MVP, golden boot, and Humanitarian of the Year.

Edson Buddle scored his first goal for the Bavarian side in the 78th minute of that game.

Edson Buddle was released by FC Ingolstadt 04 on January 31,2012, making him a free agent.

Edson Buddle started only 10 league games in 2012 and scored only 3 goals, his lowest season tally in MLS since his rookie year of 2001.

Edson Buddle returned to a third spell at the Galaxy on March 6,2015.

Edson Buddle became a free agent on December 7,2015, when the Galaxy declined his option.

Edson Buddle figured for the under-20 and under-23 teams, playing in the 2001 World Youth Championship with the former.

Edson Buddle earned his first senior team cap on March 29,2003, in a friendly against Venezuela but would not see the field for the United States again for seven years.

Buddle is named after Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pele.

Edson Buddle's father, Winston Buddle, a former professional soccer player born in Jamaica, chose the name.

Edson Buddle attended Port Chester High School in Westchester County, New York.