CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s Edson Buddle admitted he couldn’t help but think back when he stepped on the field late in Saturday’s match against the Houston Dynamo at StubHub Center.
Buddle, who came on in relief of Dan Gargan in the 86th minute, was making his first official appearance for the defending MLS Cup champions since signing with the club on March 6. The last time he had worn a Galaxy jersey was Dec. 1, 2012 -- in the MLS Cup final at StubHub Center and against the same Dynamo, no less.
“A lot of good memories,” he said following Saturday’s 1-1 draw in front of 19,087.
Buddle, who earned a spot on the Galaxy following a successful preseason trial following his release from the Colorado Rapids last November, called his brief appearance “like the first day of school,” although it still proved valuable in helping him gauge his fitness and overall form.
The 33-year-old striker had been battling a left quad injury and was anxious to show the kind of talent that made him one of eight players in MLS history to score at least 100 regular-season goals.
He might get that chance now, considering Robbie Keane will be leaving the Galaxy to join Ireland’s provisional 35-man national team that is preparing for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland on March 29 in Dublin.
No matter what happens Buddle said he plans to prepare as much as he can.
“I can’t wait to get back in training and working hard for the next game,” he said.
Buddle is in his third stint with the Galaxy. He played in Southern California from 2007-2010 (with 42 goals in 87 appearances), followed by a stint with German side Ingolstadt 04, another spell in Los Angeles in 2012 and a two-year run in Colorado (after a trade for allocation money) from 2013-2014. He had seven goals in 42 appearances in Colorado before the Rapids let him go.
But now he’s back where he feels comfortable. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said he really couldn’t gauge Buddle’s impact Saturday, given that his appearance was so brief, but he did leave a somewhat positive impression nonetheless.
“It’s always hard bringing in a player,” Arena said. “He came in in the 86th minute, right? He battled in there. We didn’t get any service to him. He’ll get more playing time.”
That’s fine as far as Buddle is concerned, but the native of New Rochelle, N.Y., said he prefers to look at the big picture.
“This is the place I call home,” he said. “I fell in love with the club when I arrived here in 2007. It’s very comforting to be back, but it’s not about that.
“It’s about working hard, getting back in form and scoring goals.”
