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Canales Daily: Golden Booted to Europe
The Golden Boot contenders in Major League Soccer didn't always attract much attention elsewhere, but that could be changing.
Nov 29, 2008 12:16:45 PM
By Andrea Canales
European teams have shown interest in Landon Donovan since he was a precocious teenager. However, it is likely no coincidence that the season in which Donovan won the scoring title in Major League Soccer, winning the race for the Golden Boot, that he drew more attention as a prospect.
What's intriguing for some teams abroad in an age of fiscal difficulty is that the American league, which typically transfers players at a far cheaper rate than more proven organizations, has some young players scoring goals that are solid possibilities.
If one doesn't work out, another might. Norway's Rosenborg club, the most successful squad in that country, has reportedly looked at both Edson Buddle and Kenny Cooper as options. The pair finished close behind Landon Donovan in goals scored this season, with Cooper edging out Buddle.
Unlike many previous seasons, which were often dominated by veteran strikers such as Jason Kries or Jeff Cunningham, this past season saw the top three players with the highest frequency of goals top out in age at Buddle's 27. Despite his many national team caps, Donovan is only 26, while Cooper is the freshest face on the scene at 24.
Another characteristic that jumps out is that a foreign player didn't dominate the MLS scoring chart in 2008. Cooper, Donovan and Buddle are all American. With the possible exception of Cooper's tenure with the Manchester United reserves and Donovan's intermittent stints with Bayer Leverkusen, the trio have developed through the U.S. system. All have played the vast majority of their professional soccer in MLS, with Buddle playing exclusively for the league.
While a loan deal with Bayern Munich for Donovan has not yet been finalized, it seems imminent. All signs point in that direction, including the fact that Donovan is not participating in the Galaxy's current tour to New Zealand while the loan (or possible transfer) terms are being worked out.
Lost in the hubbub over Donovan's possible move to Germany is Buddle, however.
Donovan's Galaxy teammate impressed observers this past year with his best year ever in the league. While not as tall as Cooper, he is an athletic 6 foot 1 who is mobile and has a deceptively effective finishing touch.
The quantity and quality of Buddle's goals improved as the Galaxy were able to count on him for more steady production. His 15 goals, though at times aided by sterling service from David Beckham, were also the result of better work ethic and savvy up front than he had previously shown in an eight-year career notable for inconsistency.
Given the reports that teams from Germany are also exploring the possibility of signing Buddle, it seems far too coincidental that the Galaxy forward is not participating in the New Zealand tour. Officially, the break is to rest a heel condition that he played through all season.
Galaxy exhibition matches are a chance for players to earn a significant amount of money, and Buddle does not have the large salaries of Beckham or even Donovan. It's unlikely he would pass up a touring opportunity unless there are details to be worked out on the possibility of a bigger payday.
Even the recent trade the Galaxy executed in bringing in forward Jovan Kirovski could be a move by the team covering not merely for the possible loss of Donovan, but of Buddle.
It may simply be a sign of the economic times that overseas clubs are taking a look at the top of the MLS scoring chart. It might be a blip that the highest three on leaderboard are all twenty-somethings. Still, for a league whose stated goal is to develop young American talent, it can't be a bad thing that the trio scoring the most goals in the league fits that bill perfectly.
Whether or not they stay in MLS is another matter. The MLS Golden Boot could end up being a kick in the pants to Europe.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
European teams have shown interest in Landon Donovan since he was a precocious teenager. However, it is likely no coincidence that the season in which Donovan won the scoring title in Major League Soccer, winning the race for the Golden Boot, that he drew more attention as a prospect.
What's intriguing for some teams abroad in an age of fiscal difficulty is that the American league, which typically transfers players at a far cheaper rate than more proven organizations, has some young players scoring goals that are solid possibilities.
If one doesn't work out, another might. Norway's Rosenborg club, the most successful squad in that country, has reportedly looked at both Edson Buddle and Kenny Cooper as options. The pair finished close behind Landon Donovan in goals scored this season, with Cooper edging out Buddle.
Unlike many previous seasons, which were often dominated by veteran strikers such as Jason Kries or Jeff Cunningham, this past season saw the top three players with the highest frequency of goals top out in age at Buddle's 27. Despite his many national team caps, Donovan is only 26, while Cooper is the freshest face on the scene at 24.
Another characteristic that jumps out is that a foreign player didn't dominate the MLS scoring chart in 2008. Cooper, Donovan and Buddle are all American. With the possible exception of Cooper's tenure with the Manchester United reserves and Donovan's intermittent stints with Bayer Leverkusen, the trio have developed through the U.S. system. All have played the vast majority of their professional soccer in MLS, with Buddle playing exclusively for the league.
While a loan deal with Bayern Munich for Donovan has not yet been finalized, it seems imminent. All signs point in that direction, including the fact that Donovan is not participating in the Galaxy's current tour to New Zealand while the loan (or possible transfer) terms are being worked out.
Lost in the hubbub over Donovan's possible move to Germany is Buddle, however.
Donovan's Galaxy teammate impressed observers this past year with his best year ever in the league. While not as tall as Cooper, he is an athletic 6 foot 1 who is mobile and has a deceptively effective finishing touch.
The quantity and quality of Buddle's goals improved as the Galaxy were able to count on him for more steady production. His 15 goals, though at times aided by sterling service from David Beckham, were also the result of better work ethic and savvy up front than he had previously shown in an eight-year career notable for inconsistency.
Given the reports that teams from Germany are also exploring the possibility of signing Buddle, it seems far too coincidental that the Galaxy forward is not participating in the New Zealand tour. Officially, the break is to rest a heel condition that he played through all season.
Galaxy exhibition matches are a chance for players to earn a significant amount of money, and Buddle does not have the large salaries of Beckham or even Donovan. It's unlikely he would pass up a touring opportunity unless there are details to be worked out on the possibility of a bigger payday.
Even the recent trade the Galaxy executed in bringing in forward Jovan Kirovski could be a move by the team covering not merely for the possible loss of Donovan, but of Buddle.
It may simply be a sign of the economic times that overseas clubs are taking a look at the top of the MLS scoring chart. It might be a blip that the highest three on leaderboard are all twenty-somethings. Still, for a league whose stated goal is to develop young American talent, it can't be a bad thing that the trio scoring the most goals in the league fits that bill perfectly.
Whether or not they stay in MLS is another matter. The MLS Golden Boot could end up being a kick in the pants to Europe.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
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