Edson Buddle gives it the ol' English try


LA Galaxy forward Edson Buddle was on trial with Blues of Premier League side Birmingham City. However, Los Angeles Galaxy manager Bruce Arena fancied the chances of signing Buddle to a new deal.

"We expect to sign Edson to a new contract,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com’s ExtraTime Radio on Thursday.

And it's been there, trialed that for the American Pelé. The 29-year-old New York City-area native had serious interest from Norwegian side Frerikstad FK in 2006 while with Toronto FC. Buddle is expected to return to the States on Dec. 22.

With the Galaxy landing Juan Pablo Ángel's rights, the possibility of Ángel and Buddle lining up as forwards could be a strong possibility, Arena notes.

“We would anticipate Edson signing a new deal and I would have no problem playing those two players (Buddle and Ángel) together,” he told the show’s hosts. “I don’t see them being the same player. They are two potential target forwards, but I suspect those two will do quite well together.”



Welcome back, Jovan


Midfielder Jovan Kirovski agreed to a one-year contract on Thursday that will see the former US international return to The Home Depot Center and head coach Bruce Arena for a third consecutive season donning the strip of the Galaxy.

“I love being part of the club,” Kirovski said. “We have a great group of players. It’s a very good team that’s always competing for a title. And with Bruce around, it makes for a great environment.”

The 34-year-old Kirovski scored four goals in 2010 – good for third on the team – in 932 minutes of play. When the 2011 preseason starts, the Escondido, Calif., native will battle for playing time in what should be a very deep front line.

With the acquisition of the rights to Ángel and Frankie Hejduk, Kirovski fancied that club's chances of doing pretty big things down the road next year.

“Those are two fantastic players,” Kirovski said. “If we can sign them, they’ll be very good to our squad. With Ángel, the quality speaks for itself. The goals he’s scored, that’s something we lacked and it’s important for our team. Frankie’s a veteran player. I’ve known him a long time and he’ll fit in perfectly.”

2011, the veteran said, will be about redemption, redemption, redemption.

“[Losing the Western Conference Championship to FC Dallas] was a big disappointment, especially for us,” Kirovski added. “When we go in, we want to win a championship. Anything else is a disappointment. The year before, we were very close. Last year we had a very good team. That’s all part of it.

"That’s what motivates me and most of the guys – we want to win.”



Victoria Street hosts the CONCACAF Gold Cup


Back for another run at hosting matches in the CONCACAF Gold Cup is the Home Depot Center, which will host games on Jun. 6, 2010.

New Meadowlands Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.), Ford Field (Detroit), Raymond James Stadium (Tampa) and Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte) will welcome the Gold Cup for the first time. And the Rose Bowl will host the final.

This is the schedule for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup matches.

First Round
June 5 – Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
June 6 – The Home Depot Center (Carson, Calif.)
June 7 – Ford Field (Detroit)
June 9 – Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte)
June 10 – FIU Stadium (Miami)
June 11 – Raymond James Stadium (Tampa)
June 12 – Soldier Field (Chicago)
June 13 – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, N.J.)
June 14 – KC Soccer Stadium (Kansas City, Kan.)

Quarterfinals
June 18 – New Meadowlands Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.)
June 19 – Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (Washington)

Semifinals
June 22 – Reliant Stadium (Houston)

Final
June 25 – Rose Bowl (Pasadena, Calif.)

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