This is Part Two in a series of articles on the players that make up the 2010 Los Angeles Galaxy.

He is a man with a golden touch. A player who plied his trade in the middle of Ohio, the fieldturf of BMO, and now the confines of the Home Depot Center.

He is a footballer whose scoring renaissance brings hope that a certain president would be proud of.

He is Edson Buddle.

And with his torrid scoring pace, the countdown to a possible call-up to the USA Men's National Team's training camp may be winding down with every strike, every shot and every celebration.

Edson Michael Buddle was born on May 21, 1981 in New Rochelle, New York. His father, Winston Buddle, played soccer in his native Jamaica before immigrating to the States.

New Rochelle is located in Westchester County, located north of New York City, east of the Hudson River and west of Connecticut. The city is known for the Leland Museum and the Thomas Paine Cottage.

With New York Cosmos fever still running its course across the Big Apple, he named his son Edson after Edison Arantes do Nascimento, better known to the world as Pelé.

Ironically, Buddle was a late bloomer, only having been thrust into the spotlight as a member of the men's soccer team at State Fair Community College, located in Sedalia, a small Missouri town. In 1999, Buddle helped lead the Roadrunners to the NJCAA Division I National Championship.

The following year, Buddle returned to his home state for his only season with the Long Island Rough Riders. In those days, the Rough Riders competed in the A-League, but now they compete in the USL Premier Development League.

Buddle tallied 11 goals and four assists in helping the Rough Riders win the Northeast Division. For his efforts, he was recognized as a finalist for A-League rookie of the year in 2000.

The MLS was interested in what Buddle could do. Could this late bloomer from New Rochelle have what it takes to turn into the star that he would become?

The Columbus Crew thought so. They picked Buddle as the 27th pick in the 2001 MLS Super-Draft. A stalwart for the Massive from 2001 through 2005, Buddle scored 42 goals in 106 appearances.

2002 will go down as Buddle's most successful year with the Crew. He helped lead Columbus to the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship to go with a second place finish in the MLS Eastern Conference and a semifinal appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs. In 2004, the Crew not only won the East, but also garnered their first Supporters' Shield.

Edson was not without his troubles donning the black and gold of the Crew. In 2003, Buddle started only sixteen games last year due to injury. In 2005, Buddle only managed nine goals and two assists while violating the MLS Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Policy as a result of a failure to take a breathalyzer test.

2006 was a flux year for Buddle. Prior to the MLS season, he was traded to Red Bull New York for Eddie Gaven and Chris Leitch. In 28 appearances for the Red Bulls, Buddle scored six goals.

Later in the season, Buddle was traded to Toronto FC for Tim Regan. He was never a factor for Mo Johnston's club, managing 10 apperances without a single goal.

June 13, 2007 would go down as the date in which Edson Buddle began his career in the colors of the Galaxy blue and gold. That year, Buddle scored five goals in 10 appearances.

However, he would not make a big splash onto the scene until 2008, when he filled in for an injured Ruiz. In 26 appearances for Los Angeles, Buddle scored 15 goals, earning a couple of MLS Player of the Week honors for his hat trick prowess.

Last season was another difficult year for Buddle. The injury woes reared their undesirable heads once again, reducing LA's No. 14 to five goals in six matches. However, he was destined to return to form this season.

On March 27 against New England, Buddle officially got on the comeback trail two seconds into the fifth minute.

Shep Messing must have been a prophet when he said, "I don't think there's a better tandem up top than Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle...They complement each other. They don't take away each other's space, making it better for each other."

Buddle was flawless in positioning himself for the Donovan header that eventually gave the Galaxy their first victory of the season.

The following week in the Galaxy's 2-0 win over Chivas USA, Buddle was at it again with goals in the sixth and 86th minutes off deliveries by Sean Franklin and Donovan, respectively.

On the road against the Houston Dynamo, Buddle notched first-half goals in the 26th and 44th minutes for a 2-0 victory in Week 3. And last Saturday against Real Salt Lake, Buddle set a new record for most consecutive goals to start a season with seven in a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake.

Ironicially for Buddle, he only managed one cap of international duty: a March 29 friendly against Venezuela. While he was a staple of the U-20 and U23 sides, Buddle has yet to be a player who can prove himself on the world stage.

With his torrid scoring pace resulting in a return to form, the possibility of the door opening to the Men's National Team training camp once again could not be any more brighter.

It's a stretch to consider Edson Buddle the "American Pele," but with the possibility of 20 or more goals tallied in the 2010 Major League Soccer season at the rate the No. 14 for the Los Angeles Galaxy is going, the doubters may be wise to ponder the possibilities.

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Pegged by some to win the 2010 MLS Cup in only its second season of existence, the Seattle Sounders currently sit in a three-way tie for second place in the Western Conference in the early goings of the season with a 2-1-1 record.

Their defense has stood strong, allowing only three goals in four games.

However their offense has been just that—offensive—scoring only five goals in the four games.

Finishing was a problem last year, dooming them in the playoffs as they failed to score a goal in the first round against Houston, and it has continued into this season. Standing out is the shutout in the team’s second game when they were held scoreless by the New York Red Bulls—the worst team in the league last year—and narrowly escaping with three points in their latest match against Kansas City, not scoring until the 92nd minute of the contest.

Against the Red Bulls, the Sounders set a club record with 12 corner kicks and outshot New York 17-10. They put the pressure on New York’s defense and made goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul make saves, but when it was all said and done zero balls found the back of the net.

It can’t help the team’s morale knowing that Sebastian Le Toux, who the team left exposed in the expansion draft and was selected by the Philadelphia Union, scored three goals in Philadelphia’s first ever franchise win.

Their defense is good enough that on some nights the team can get away with scoring only one goal. However that is a lot of pressure to force on a unit, to stay perfect every game in order for the team to have a chance at collecting points.

Opposing defenses know that playmakers Freddy Montero and Freddie Ljungberg are the biggest threats, and have played very physical with them, not letting them get free and get many good scoring chances.

Last year’s starting striker Nate Jaqua, who scored a career-high nine goals and at 6'4" was the top target on set pieces, underwent abdominal surgery earlier in April and will miss at least another month.

Reinforcements are on the way, though.

After Seattle’s first game of the season the team signed MLS veteran Pat Noonan, a technical player with a good finishing touch who has scored 45 goals in 172 regular season appearances.

There is also the upcoming summer arrival of Blaise Nkufo. The Swiss International and FC Twente scoring leader will join the Sounders at the conclusion of Switzerland’s run in the World Cup.

The team is getting down the field and applying pressure. They have creative players that can create opportunities for themselves and others. They also have quick players, namely Steve Zakuani, who can get behind defenses and run at them.

They just cannot put the finishing touch on their plays, and that could prove costly down the line as it did in the playoffs last year.

Seattle gets two chances to work on improving their scoring panache this weekend when they face FC Dallas’ defense-in-work on Thursday night and Toronto’s porous defense Sunday.

Defense may win championships, but you can’t win games if you don’t score.

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Major League Soccer has revised the Designated Player rule, allowing teams to sign up to three players for more than the maximum salary in hopes to bring in more of the game’s most popular/talented players.

However, teams are doing other things to bring more of the world’s best stateside.

MLS franchises will host a number of European clubs this summer in friendly matches. D.C. United announced they will square off against Italian giants AC Milan on May 26th. The Chicago Fire will take on Paris Saint-Germain and either Legia Warsaw or Red Star Belgrade in a friendly tournament. The Philadelphia Union has an agreement to play Spanish La Liga’s Valencia. D.C. United is also rumored to be pushing for a match with Scotland’s Glasgow Celtic.

The idea of these international club friendlies isn’t new. The Seattle Sounders and New York Red Bulls have both previously hosted Barcelona, and the Los Angeles Galaxy have taken on AC Milan before, not to mention the MLS All-Star team facing Fulham, Chelsea, Celtic, West Ham, and Everton in its annual competition.

Still, the continuation of these friendlies, and with big-name clubs, is fantastic for the league.

Having these games means packed houses for the MLS club, making the league a lot of money. People of all different soccer backgrounds—from the avid MLS fan, the international club fan who never goes to an MLS game, to the casual sports fan who has heard about the wonders of the visiting club—fill the stadium to witness a team that plays soccer at the game’s highest level.

Last August, when Barcelona visited the Seattle Sounders, Qwest Stadium was filled with a  Washington record of 66,848 fans. A month earlier the Sounders hosted Chelsea in front of an attendance of 65,289.

The impact isn’t just a single game either. Out of these fans, a number of the non-regulars will be captivated by what they see from the home squad. Many will return to at least one other game that season. The more times a team can bring fans to the stadium, the better off the entire league will be.

These friendlies also generate respect from foreign clubs and players. International teams schedule these friendlies for three reasons: they want to either get regulars in form during the preseason, get bench players some action against quality competition, and to tap into the soccer market in the area.

If they feel there is no long-term economic benefit, or that the team will not provide a good challenge and game experience, then they simply will choose someone else.

The players also often come away impressed with the level that MLS is at. Sometimes, playing in the United States can plant the seed in the players head to someday play in the league.

After Barcelona’s game against Seattle, Thierry Henry said about the Seattle fans, “It really reminded me of a crowd in Europe. They were all cheering the Sounders, and rightly so. It was tremendous and a great atmosphere. They made it really difficult for us in the first half.” Henry has long been rumored to be interested in the MLS.

Proving to be an exciting place to play encourages international stars to play in the league, raising the quality of play and bringing in more fans to fill the seats. Being respected by the players as well as the entire organization is also very important to MLS, as it tries to integrate into the world soccer landscape, creating lasting partnerships and generating international interest from fan bases.

A by-product from these friendlies is the European giants scouting new talent and taking away the league’s best players.

Many people believe that for the league to be bigger it needs to keep the best American players in-country, much like many of the best Italian players play in Serie A, or like college sports try to keep the best in-state players.

However, MLS cannot compete with neither the monetary contracts European clubs can offer, nor the prestige of the competition of the leagues. Therefore, clubs can swoop in and make an offer to a young American prospect (see Stuart Holden and Jozy Altidore).

But MLS was not designed to compete with the bigger European leagues. MLS was designed for something very specific and has actually done its job.

Before the league was created it was difficult for Americans to latch on with top-tier clubs and get good playing time. Without proper experience and development the national team suffered. So part of the stipulation of hosting the World Cup in 1994 was that a top-level American league needed to be created, thus MLS was born.

The objective of MLS was to give opportunities and experience to young American players in an effort to develop them to create a more competitive national team.

Take a look at last summer’s Confederations Cup roster, the team that beat top-ranked Spain in the semi-finals. Fifteen players from the 23-man roster got their start playing in MLS, including arguably America’s two best players Landon Donovan and Tim Howard.

With current MLS teams still striving to make a profit, spending on player salaries needs to be regulated and monitored or else the league faces the same demise that the NASL experienced.

So MLS teams develop these American players who grow into good national team members, and get recognized by some of the biggest European clubs in the world. The player moves to the club, and continues to get better making an even greater impact for the United States.

While it doesn’t always work this way—it’s tough to say the Greek League, where Freddy Adu and Eddie Johnson play their trade, is better competition-wise than MLS—generally the league has made a big impact on the American soccer scene, for both players and the National team.

So what happens when Stu Holden, after a few good years in MLS, gets bought by the English Premier League’s Bolton Wanderers?

Houston Dynamos insert Geoff Cameron into his slot as he works to become the next player to get a national team call-up and transfer to a big Euro club. One player’s exit is another player’s opportunity.

So while it would be nice to have all of America’s best playing in MLS, it isn’t feasible, nor is it necessary. Not every league is Italy’s Serie A, England’s Premier League, or Spain’s La Liga.

So let’s embrace these friendlies. It’s just another way to improve MLS’ reputation around the globe and to increase soccer’s presence in America.

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Before the exhibition between two celebrity football sides on the hallowed grounds of Victoria Street, descenders could hear the strains of a song by the Clash (rest in peace, Joe Strummer) called "The Magnificent Seven." Whoever thought (not this columnist, no sirree) that it would be the omen that it was?

That's right, readers on Bleacher Report: Edson Buddle of the Los Angeles Galaxy has set a new record in Major League Soccer with the most consecutive goals to start a season with seven, smashing the previous record set by "El Pescadito" himself—Carlos Ruiz—of six in 2002. A 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake not only saw well-deserved redemption, but history to go with it.

And it's a combo that's in the same league as the Buddlevan Connection. The 12th minute was the Connection introducing itself. Donovan corner, timed in the right position for Buddle to knock it past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando. It's FIFA 10-replicable.

What I couldn't understand is the Galaxy not able to consolidate and finish off the delivery. People, the Galaxy had nine corners compared to three for Real Salt Lake...and only one goal to account for it. With this many chances to invoke the connection, the Buddle should be within striking distance of his jersey number in terms of goals.

Credit must not only be given to the goalkeeping prowess of Rimando and Galaxy netminder Donovan Ricketts, but the woodwork.

I was wondering why Alvaro Saborio was the next to be cursed by the pitch here at the HDC. I extend my mea culpa to you all for overestimating his ability.

And bless Will Johnson's heart; his opportunities to be the hero for the defending MLS Cup champs never materialized. I shouldn't forget Robbie Findley hitting snake eyes either. The right post extended its greetings in the 65th.

But back to Buddle. I have come to this conclusion: either Bob's loss (that is, Buddle not being called up) is Bruce's gain (rack up the points in the West standings with ease, G's), or Bruce's loss (too hard to pass up, commence depth-testing, Mr. Almighty!) is Bob's gain (the scoring hopes for the MNT take a big jump, not just across the Atlantic).

And at least I can sleep well knowing that finally, Juninho is doing something right for once. A guest star tonight on the Buddlevan Connection, he was finally able to tap a through ball to the man with the golden touch. Please let this be a sign of things to come, good sir. Make it a habit.

Today, I integrate the power of counting in some ins and outs from this match:

Chicken Thief No. 1: Kyle Beckerman

Captain Kyle Beckerman of Real Salt Lake took the Galaxy to school. His equalizer in the 41st was a stellar example of how to finish with the ball at your feet like a serendipity doo-dah.

After the first successful corner by Donovan and Buddle, the Galaxy have struggled to reprise their chances until Juninho's assist late in the second half. But the first chicken thief of the 2010 home season for the Galaxy is Beckerman.

By the way, I got this idea from the Pollo Campero shutout promotion. Fans got coupons to the restaurant during the first two home ties, which were the first couple of clean sheets for Ricketts. Campero Crew, I got a red alert for you guys: be on the lookout for a certain Sebastien Le Toux come May Day. You've been warned...

Speaking of two, I have come up with...

Two theories As to Why There Were More Than 20,000 at the Home Depot Center

Theory No. 1: The revenge factor was too hard to pass up, resulting in 20,000 plus leaving satisfied by Geiger's final whistle.

Theory No. 2: A promotion by the team stated that if the Galaxy defeated New England and Chivas USA, they get free admission to the Real Salt Lake game at no cost. Hence, two times ten thousand and change of humanity filling the seats. End of theories.

Of course, there was a match before the main event that saw a two-goal cushion prove all the difference.

Three's a Breeze for the Brits

Saturday was the culmination of Brit Week, and a match between two teams: "The Brits" and "The World" took place before the match between Real Salt Lake and the Galaxy.

Mark Rogandino isn't too bad a goalkeeper himself. Slow pace compared to the match, as I expected. I think Cobi Jones showed some of his flash from his days playing for the G's in this one.

Meanwhile, the countdown to Landon's imminent number retirement continues. By the way, the Brits won, 3-1.

I'm telling you straight-up: A unified Great Britain team of all four Home Associations will medal at London 2012. I can sense it.

I did want to sneak it one more outside of the match for good measure...

Four straight defeats for DC?

No explanation is needed for the continuing plight of the only winless team in the league after four rounds.

In fact, I don't even believe Curt Onalfo can manage a high school team, let alone a team in MLS. Guess what will surprise me here? Less than 4,000 punters calling for him being sacked early this season.

All right, this many may not be realistic, but you never know.

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Just when it appeared the Red Bulls were on the cusp of a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas, Juan Pablo Angel scored his second goal of the game when he hammered home a penalty kick in the 89th minute. Those second half goals by Angel gave the New York Red Bulls a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas.

On a night when the weather was 48 degrees and cloudy, the Red Bulls trailed 1-0 after Dax McCarthy gave FC Dallas the lead. To make matters worse, the Red Bulls were called for 10 offsides and missed the opportunity to take the lead when Juan Pablo Angel missed a penalty kick. Despite Dallas outshooting New York 17-8 and putting constant pressure on goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul, the New York Red Bulls weathered the storm.

In front of a crowd of 13,667, the Red Bulls beautifully demonstrated that they're a team who are tough to beat at home. Since the opening of Red Bull Arena, the New York Red Bulls (3-1-0) have yet to lose at home this season.

With Dallas leading for majority of the match, defenders Mike Petke and rookie Tim Ream aggressively disrupted Dallas in the second half. Both defenders have continued to be 1-2 combination which the Red Bulls lacked last season. Their artistry of defense have made it difficult for teams to successfully execute their offense.

Goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul played beautifully and kept the Red Bulls in the game by making six saves in the second half. For the season, Coundoul has only allowed a total of three goals in four games. His spectacular play is one of the main reasons teams aren't scoring at will.

After three weeks of the MLS season, Juan Pablo Angel finally broke out of his scoring drought when he scored two goals in the second half. He scored his first goal off a well-timed cross from Joel Lindpere in the 56th minute of the game. After missing his first penalty kick, Juan Pablo redeemed himself by converting his second PK to give the Red Bulls the lead.

With key defensive stops, precision passing, clutch goalkeeping, and heightened game awareness, the Red Bulls are continuing to demonstrate that they're committed to giving their fans and the states of New Jersey and New York a winning soccer club.

With today's win, the Red Bulls sit atop of the Eastern Conference. Their next opponent is first year team, the Philadelphia Union (1-2-0). The match will take place at Red Bull Arena at 4 PM.

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for Latino Sports (www.latinosports.com). Send Cesar a question or comment at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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T-180 minutes to kickoff: I wanted to start this play-by-play with a little bio on the man behind the TV show Hell's Kitchen, Mr. Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay would have been a staple for Rangers' success in Scotland, had it not been for a cruciate ligament playing squah while injuring his knees as a teenager for nonleague Oxford United.

Eventually, Ramsay settled down as a specialist in French cuisine. Work at ski resorts and private yachts led to the opening of his first fully-owned restaurant in 1998, the Michelin three-star Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road. From there, he opened other restaurants worldwide: Petrus in London, Glasgow's Amaryllis, Gordon Ramsay's at Claridge's in Mayfair, Gordon Randsay at Conrad Tokyo and Cerise in Japan, Dubai's Verre, New York City's Gordon Ramsay at the London, and Boxwood in Los Angeles.

I mention this because he will be participating in this week's Celebrity game prior to tonight's proceedings. What a great chef and entrepreneur, to go with a wonderful person. Kickoff was at 5:09 p.m. PT.

T-120: Now that we have that out of the way, we now return you to the next episode of the Buddlevan Connection. This week: the revenge tour. Real Salt Lake is in town tonight, and you can expect Bruce Arena's G's to remind Jason Kreis's club that 2009's moment of glory is done and dusted.

T-115: It's Grand Prix Weekend down in my part of the county. I hope my friend Dario wins it. Because he has a super mega car, drives to fast, drives too flash...and you know the rest.

T-114: Other games going on in MLS today include Seattle Sounders vs. Eastern Conference leader Kansas City Wizards, Houston Dynamo vs. Chivas USA, DC United vs. Chicago, New York Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas, and San Jose vs. New England. Earlier this week, Toronto FC defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-1. Tomorrow, they host the Colorado Rapids.

T-112: Seattle defeated Kansas City 1-0 and Houston bounced back with a 3-0 thumping of Chivas USA. Right now,

T-110: Oh yes, and if Danica wins...the world has ended. Back to the game. A thriller for Real the last time they hit the field...in US Open Cup play they had to go the distance, winning on penalties. So now, lo and behold, they have started a new winning streak of their own. See you next spot kick lottery.

T-105: Edson Buddle led the league with five goals heading into this weekend's set of matches.

T-100: Los Angeles's next three matches include a road test at CommunityAmerica Ballpark against the Wizards on April 24, the first-ever meeting with the Union at Home Depot Center on May 1, and a May 5 trip to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to take on the Colorado Rapids.

T-95: For Real Salt Lake, the next three matches include an April 24 road trip to Columbus, and a couple home ties with Toronto FC on May 1 and Philadelphia on May 8.

T-90: Here are the line-ups.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY
Manager: Bruce Arena
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Colors: White tops with blue and gold accents, white shorts, white socks

1 Donovan Ricketts

28 Sean Franklin ----20 A.J. de La Garza ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 2 Todd Dunivant

26 Michael Stephens

11 Chris Birchall ---- 19 Juninho

18 MIke Magee

14 Edson Buddle ---- 10 Landon Donovan (C)

Substitutes:
12 Josh Saunders GK
16 Gregg Berhalter DEF
88 Alex Cazumba DEF
9 Jovan Kirovski MID
7 Chris Klein MID
21 Alan Gordon FWD
27 Bryan Jordan FWD

REAL SALT LAKE
Manager: Jason Kreis
Formation: 4-4-2
Colors: Burgundy tops with blue sleeves and yellow collars, burgundy shorts, burgundy socks

18 Nick Rimando

2 Tony Beltran ---- 6 Nat Borchers ---- 4 Jamison Olave ---- 3 Robbie Russell

8 Will Johnson

5 Kyle Beckerman (C) ---- 77 Andy Williams

22 Nelson Gonzalez

15 Alvaro Saborio ---- 7 Fabian Espindola

Substitutes:
24 Kyle Reynish GK
30 Rauwshan McKenzie DEF
12 Jean Alexandre MID
21 Luis Gil MID
26 Collen Warner MID
10 Robbie Findley FWD
19 Pable Campos FWD

Javier Morales

T-80: 80 minutes to kickoff. Our match official today is Mark Geiger. Linesmen are Greg Barkey and Jeff Hosking, and our fourth official today is Kevin Stott.

T-54: More final scores...Chicago beat DC United 2-0 and the New York Red Bulls beat FC Dallas 2-1.

T-44: Fans filing in. I will lay this prediction: the combined team of the four home associations will medal at London 2012.

T-21: Alvaro Saborio is my player to watch for RSL tonight. I expect the Costa Rican international to have a great game tonight on a pitch he is familiar with as a member of Los Ticos.

T-19: Forecast is clear, with some clouds and a temperature of 66 degrees. Just glad that the mess from Iceland hasn't reached this part of the world yet.

T-17: The series so far between the G's and RSL is five wins for LA, five for Real Salt Lake and five draws. This is a very competitive series. Real Salt Lake's supporters are led by a group called The Loyalists. Other groups in Rio Tinto Stadium's South Stand include the Rogue Cabaliers Brigade, Section 26, La Barra Real and The Royal Pride.

T-10: Parade of Champions going on.

T-6: Early on between San Jose and New England, scoreless in the first half.

T-0: National anthem by the a capella octet One Accord. We'll be at half-capacity for this one. Great rendition.

FIRST HALF START: 7:37 P.M.

1' - And we are underway. LA starts by taking it in their third. Oooh, that was trouble for Rimando. Corner.

2' - Good clearance by the Filipino-American Nick Rimando, first Fil-Am to play on a MLS Cup winning side. At least in my memory.

3' - Rimando has had to do some work today. Warning shot from Edson Buddle.

4' - Here's Donovan Ricketts, and that was an interesting clearance from him. A chance for Fabian Espindola, but that is offside. Goal kick.

5' - Here's Nelson Gonzalez, and that is wide left.

6' - Jason Kreis has to be breathing a huge sigh of relief to escape that shootout at Buck Shaw earlier this week.

7' - Here's LA, testing the RSL defense in their own third. Not bad. Now here comes the counter. Free kick for Will Johnson.

8' - No problem for the defense. The Galaxy go on the attack. Little brush against the G's, says Mark Geiger.

9' - Nelson Gonzalez, formerly of Argentina Primera Division side Quilmes, is dangerous in his part of the attacking third, and the white shirts had to mark him.

10' - No goal for Real Salt Lake, offsides on Saborio. But that's what he can do when he has space.

11' - Beltran was wise to give up the corner. Donovan takes it.

12' - GOAL! 14 Edson Buddle Assist: 10 Landon Donovan
And so the Buddlevan Connection continues, and along with it, Edson's audition for the MNT. His sixth goal of the season. Can't draw it up any better. Great kick, great positioning, clinical finish.

12' - Here comes LA again...RSL now on the heels.

13' - Another corner. This time, Nat Borchers marks Buddle. If at first you don't succeed, defend and defend again.

15' - Free kick for Donovan. Cleared, and a corner. Boy, the G's have been racking up their chances. Riot Squad lifts their custom-made scarves.

16' - Missed finishing off the delivery still leaves more to be desired from the white Soca Warrior Chris Birchall.

17' - Halftime at Buck Shaw, and it's scoreless between the Earthquakes and Revolution.

19' - Good dispossession from Andy Williams. Sean Franklin with the touch. Magee with the wasted chance inside.

20' - Here comes Real Salt Lake's Andy Williams. A.J. De La Garza needed to dispossess that one. Corner for Real. Robbie Russell, the culprit behind the game-winning spot kick last November, is marked. All clockwork.

21' - Andy Williams's presence has allowed Real to earn its share of possession in the attacking third.

22' - We are 22 minutes into the match, and it's 1-0 Los Angeles off an Edson Buddle goal.

23' - Buddle couldn't get to that pass inside LA's attacking third.

24' - RSL on the move once again, but Sean Franklin is there to stop the shot by Espindola.

25' - Another chance for Birchall. He would love one for the land of the steel drums, wouldn't he, the No. 11. Nat Borchers is there again

26' - Rimando had to come off his line for this. Juninho is fouled by RSL captain Kyle Beckerman. No card on that one. Geiger playing a loose ship.

27' - Free kick for Landon. Too far for anyone, and the throw-in doesn't amount to much.


28' - Here's Russell. Fox Soccer Channel's commentators are raving about the matchup between Omar Gonzales and Alvaro Saborio. Omar seems to be holding Saborio well.

30' - Free kick for LA, Todd Dunivant to take. And once again, Nat Borchers is there.

31' - A grab for the Big Cat from Kingston, and a goal kick.

32' - Buddle's pace sure is trumping last year's effort. No ligament problems so far. Jamison Olave is down. Pulled his muscle a bit, but he is up. A little push of the fibers by the team therapist never hurt no one.

33' - Good clearance from De La Garza. Here's Juninho, now it's Sean Franklin, and that header by Donovan missed badly.

34' - For the first time, the boo birds are in full force. This is a pattern. The Galaxy get the first goal, but they struggle to get the second soon after. More improvements needed in the finishing

35' - Corner for the G's. Take two after Buddle got jammed by Espindola. And Johnson heads that away. Six corners this half alone so far for Los Angeles.

36' - Offsides Galaxy.

37' - Rimando asks for his players to push forward for the goal kick. Franklin shaken up. No worries.

38' - And this is not good news. Sean Franklin is in a lot of pain. He gets up, though.

40' - Corner for Real.

40' - GOAL! Real Salt Lake 5 Kyle Beckerman

That was laid out for him. Here the G's did not do well in the clearance from the Nelson Gonzalez corner, and it's all square at one goal a piece. Talk about a capitalized opportunity.

42' - Now Magee seems to be shaken up...we have a substitution on the way.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy
IN 27 Bryan Jordan
OUT 28 Sean Franklin

43' - Nelson Gonzalez gets a knock. The physical play shows itself here in this part of the half.

44' - 57th minute, San Jose leads 1-0. Chris Wondolowski gets opens his account.

45' - Two minutes of stoppage time, says Kevin Stott.

45' + 2' - Egadniks! That was trouble. Beckerman looking for a brace. The whistle blows.

Well, Mike Magee was the hero for the G's in the last meeting, can he do it again?

Halftime Stats...

Shots:
Real Salt Lake 2
Los Angeles Galaxy 7

Shots on Goal:
Real Salt Lake 1
Los Angeles Galaxy 1

Saves:
Real Salt Lake 0
Los Angeles Galaxy 0

Fouls:
Real Salt Lake 5
Los Angeles Galaxy 6

Corner Kicks:
Real Salt Lake 2
Los Angeles Galaxy 6

Offsides:
Real Salt Lake 1
Los Angeles 0

SECOND HALF START: 8:40 P.M.

46' - Off we go. 1-1 scoreline so far. Franklin suffered a left heel sprain and is listed as day to day. 71st minute by Ike Opara makes it 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes.

47' - For Real Salt Lake, the Beckerman equalizer gives the visitors fresh wind in their sails. LA not doing well in the transition. They are a goal-every-45-minute-team, RSL is.

48' - Rimando takes that one.

49' - Goal kick for Ricketts, and Los Angeles pushes. Buddle is triple-marked, but there is a player down, and Beckerman pushes his weight around on Mike agee. It's Olave on the turf.

52' - Andy Williams fell on his own man in the Buddle mark.

53' - Olave is up though, and here is RSL again. Corner for Los Angeles. They tried to take a page out of the Beckerman equalizer. Didn't do well.

55' - Harsh challenge. A card.

Yellow card 77 Andy Williams
Real Salt Lake

56' - Out of position on the free kick. Great marking. The Real back line, doing the work.

57' - Corner for Los Angeles. Number eight. And the G's are one-for-eight on their chances.

58' - Russell resets for Real Salt Lake, but Ricketts is there. Wide cross.

59' - What a save from Nick Rimando. Best of the night. Another one. And another one. Goal kick. Impressive keeping.

Substitution Real Salt Lake

IN 10 Robbie Findley
OUT 7 Fabian Espindola

60' - The Galaxy still haven't been crisp in the transition this half. Borchers clears that one for a corner. And that is stopped.

61' - Mike Magee is wondering when he will figure out when he will get his touch back. He won't get the love from Mark Geiger here.

62' - Both teams are looking to get the go-ahead in their own respective attacking thirds.

63' - ROugh challenge, says Geiger

Yellow card 27 Bryan Jordan
Los Angeles Galaxy

Substitution Real Salt Lake
IN 26 Collen Warner
OUT 22 Nelson Gonzalez

That chance RSL is blow up; goal kick.

64' - Here comes Real. Now they go on the possession heist, accelerating the pace. A shot by Findley hits the post. And another by Saborio goes over the crossbar, albeit offside.

66' - Side netting from Buddle. Gracious, they have had their chances here, both Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles.

68' - Final from Buck Shaw Stadium: San Jose Earthquakes 2, New England Revolution 0.

Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy:
IN 88 Alex Cazumba
OUT 18 Mike Magee

69' - RSL back on the attack. The crowd asks for a foul on Findley. None given.

71' - Another challenge, and a throw-in for Real Salt Lake. Both teams displaying physical tackling on the ball.

72' - Beckerman complaining to the ref about a foul on RSL. Set piece nonetheless for Los Angeles. And that header goes wide for Omar Gonzalez.

73' - Wait...did I just hear a reference to the mythical Mayweather-Pacquiao fight? Gee whiz. Header for Saborio misses. Goal kick for Ricketts.

74' - The lack of finishing is worth cringing tonight. So much for Saborio getting a break after nearly an hour and a quarter of play.

75' - Russell and Rimando reset for Real. Alliteration... Here's Beckerman, and he is getting neutralized. The speed and pace of the RSL defense makes me wonder.

76' - GOAL! Los Angeles Galaxy 14 Edson Buddle Assist: 19 Juninho
On the next Buddlevan Connection...Edsonm scores his seventh...from Juninho!? How about that. Great stuff from the Sao Paulo product.

77' - Finally, the Brazilliance shows what it can do. Could this be the start of...the Budinho Connection?

78' - A new record has been set for most consecutive goals to start a MLS season with seven for Buddle. The old record of six by Carlos Ruiz in 2002 is sent to the dustbin.

79' - Well, Real has been behind the 8-ball numerous times, and hello Brigham Young...here they are again.

80' - High chance for Will Johnson...not gonna work.

Substitution Real Salt Lake
IN 19 Pablo Campos
OUT 15 Alvaro Saborio

82' - Substitution Los Angeles Galaxy

IN 21 Alan Gordon
OUT 19 Juninho

83' - I think Geiger just wants this game to be over. Alex Cazumba is wondering about the non-call.

84' - Edson Buddle, showing his sportsmanship. Man of the match alert?

85' - Here's a free kick for Real Salt Lake. Tony Beltran with the throw-in, on the hunt for equalizer number two. Thank you very much, says Mr. Ricketts. A goal kick.

86' - With both teams cranking up the pace, some of the fans seem to be content with the outcome. Ricketts pushes that shot by Mr. will Johnson away for an RSL corner.

87' - Cleared by Landon Donovan. Transition, and Rimando comes off his line for that save. Offsides on Buddle.

88' - Not enough mustard on that hot dog distance volley from Russell. 20,344 on hand for this one. Good turnout for the rematch.

89' - Ambitious shot. Out of danger for a goal kick. Bruce Arena's men will be content to exercise the defensive scenario and melt the clock.

90' - Here's Cazumba with a touch, Only one minute of stoppage time. All hands on deck.

90' + 1' - That went well for RSL...not. One more chance. This is trouble. And that header by Buddle was as miserable as you can make of it. Not like it's really going to matter. The hat trick will have to wait, Edson. The hat trick will have to wait.

90' + 1' - That's a wrap!

Stay tuned for my take on this match on Bleacher Report and on the View from Victoria Street.

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The Seattle Sounders are a strange team. They’re a riddle locked in a conundrum, a puzzle wrapped around a quandary, an enigma of what-ifs and maybes.

Take last season as an example. They were the most-supported club, even though they were playing in just their first season. They had the fewest shots on goal, despite being led by the player who eventually topped the league in shots. They conceded the lowest number of goals, while having more men sent off than anyone else.

In theory, Seattle should be a poorly-supported, ill-disciplined team that lets in a lot of goals and misses the playoffs by a mile.

In reality, they’re loved by fans, envied by competitors, and they may just have the making of a team that could turn into perennial contenders for silverware and trophies.

A second-year team, simply put, shouldn’t be this good. But the start of the 2010 season hasn’t gone all Sigi Schmid’s way. An opening day win at home to the Philadelphia Union wasn’t all that unexpected, but their Week Two defeat against the New York Red Bulls certainly was.

The Sounders dominated the Red Bulls in every way possible, but despite all of their numerical advantages, they couldn’t find a way to put any of their 17 shots into the back of the net. Instead, it was Macoumba Kandji who found himself in space to steal three thoroughly-undeserved points for the hosts.

The third and most recent game away at Real Salt Lake could have gone either way. The Sounders looked to have sealed the win at Rio Tinto Stadium when Nat Borchers scored an own goal with 18 minutes to go, but Alvaro Saborio salvaged a point for RSL with a goal deep into injury time.

The Sounders should be 3-0-0, yet they’re just 1-1-1. Such is the way with Seattle, I suppose. They host the Eastern Conference-leading Kansas City Wizards tomorrow before traveling to the Western Conference whipping boys FC Dallas next Thursday.

Seattle’s off to a good start, but there’s still a long way to go. While it’s encouraging to see the team share the goals and play disciplined football, all of that is for naught if they don’t pick up points.

The LA Galaxy have came out of the gates flying and they look like the team to beat so far in 2010. Seattle will get their chance on May 8 in front of yet another sell-out crowd at Qwest Field, and maybe then we can find out just what type of challenge Freddy Montero and Co. can mount come October.

I don't have the answer to the Sounders' successes, but I would be a foolish man if I bet against them reigning supreme by the end of the year. The team apparently has this intangible quality and fans are buying into it. Why shouldn't we?

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The Seattle Sounders are a strange team. They’re a riddle locked in a conundrum, a puzzle wrapped around a quandary, an enigma of what-ifs and maybes.

Take last season as an example. They were the most-supported club, even though they were playing in just their first season. They had the fewest shots on goal, despite being led by the player who eventually topped the league in shots. They conceded the lowest number of goals, while having more men sent off than anyone else.

In theory, Seattle should be a poorly-supported, ill-disciplined team that lets in a lot of goals and misses the playoffs by a mile.

In reality, they’re loved by fans, envied by competitors, and they may just have the making of a team that could turn into perennial contenders for silverware and trophies.

A second-year team, simply put, shouldn’t be this good. But the start of the 2010 season hasn’t gone all Sigi Schmid’s way. An opening day win at home to the Philadelphia Union wasn’t all that unexpected, but their Week Two defeat against the New York Red Bulls certainly was.

The Sounders dominated the Red Bulls in every way possible, but despite all of their numerical advantages, they couldn’t find a way to put any of their 17 shots into the back of the net. Instead, it was Macoumba Kandji who found himself in space to steal three thoroughly-undeserved points for the hosts.

The third and most recent game away at Real Salt Lake could have gone either way. The Sounders looked to have sealed the win at Rio Tinto Stadium when Nat Borchers scored an own goal with 18 minutes to go, but Alvaro Saborio salvaged a point for RSL with a goal deep into injury time.

The Sounders should be 3-0-0, yet they’re just 1-1-1. Such is the way with Seattle, I suppose. They host the Eastern Conference-leading Kansas City Wizards tomorrow before traveling to the Western Conference whipping boys FC Dallas next Thursday.

Seattle’s off to a good start, but there’s still a long way to go. While it’s encouraging to see the team share the goals and play disciplined football, all of that is for naught if they don’t pick up points.

The LA Galaxy have came out of the gates flying and they look like the team to beat so far in 2010. Seattle will get their chance on May 8 in front of yet another sell-out crowd at Qwest Field, and maybe then we can find out just what type of challenge Freddy Montero and Co. can mount come October.

I don't have the answer to the Sounders' successes, but I would be a foolish man if I bet against them reigning supreme by the end of the year. The team apparently has this intangible quality and fans are buying into it. Why shouldn't we?

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For the second time in three games, the Philadelphia Union on the wrong end of a red card send off.

Talk about playing at a disadvantage, ten against eleven is certainly no way to make a living, as Philadelphia found out in their season opening loss at seattle.

In that game Philadelphia's Toni Stahl was sent off in the 40th minute after being shown a second yellow card.

At the time Seattle led 1-0, but quickly pushed it to a 2-0 advantage three minutes later.

Last night in the 34th minute, it was a straight red card send off for Union Captain Danny Califf. No yellow card warning needed, as Califf got called for an elbow to the head of Julian de Guzman, who had beaten Califf and had a clear path to a slow rolling ball headed toward the Philadelphia goal.

That send off setup the games first score, as Toronto's Dwayne De Rosario struck a free kick past a wall of Union defenders and into the fragile hands of Union keeper Chris Seitz.

It was a save Seitz should have made, but instead the ball deflected off his gloves and over the goal line, 1-0 Toronto. It was the second time in as many games a mishandled ball by Seitz has cost his team a goal (with the other being the second D.C. United goal in last week's game against Philadelphia).

I know that Seitz has been tabbed as the next great American goalkeeper, but through three games his play has been a bit suspect, especially on clearing plays.

The keeper job is Seitz's to lose, but If you listen closely you can almost hear Union backup Brad Knighton pealing back the velcro on a new package of goalkeeper mits.

Give Philadelphia credit however for not collapsing.

In first half stoppage time, 18-year-old Roger Torres served a nicely placed volley to Jordan Harvey inside Toronto's 18 and just off the far post. The first touch was nice and the second touch found the back of the net. 

Game tied one-all at half time.

It was a questionable call in the 81st minute that for all intensive purposes decided the outcome.

Seitz was called for taking down O'Brian White inside the 18. In my eyes the call was questionable because Seitz was cleary going for the ball, the referees assistant however saw it differently. No yellow card, but a penalty shot was awarded.

Seitz guessed correctly on which way to dive, but De Rosario's shot was just a bit too strong

Philadelphia and Toronto are both now 1-2 on the season, as the Union look to regroup before their April 24th trip up the Jersey Turnpike to play the New York Red Bull. Unfortunatley, they will have to play that game without Danny Califf, who will serve a one game suspension for his red card.

Scoring Summary :
TOR-Dwayne De Rosario (Free Kick) 35'
PHL-Jordan Harvey (Roger Torres,Sebastien Le Toux) First half stoppage time
TOR-Dwayne De Roasrio (Penalty kick) 82'

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The Philadelphia Union went into tonight's game against Toronto FC at BMO Field with positive momentum after a win over D.C. United, but that momentum came to a halt in the 33rd minute when captain Danny Califf was issued a red card.

Califf was sent off when he stuck his arm out and hit TFC midfielder Julian De Guzman in the head and referee Bardomelo Toledo thought it was enough to earn a red.

For the second time in three games, the Union would have to play with ten men for more than a half. With their defensive leader now gone, the Union faltered throughout the game to make defensive stops when it mattered the most.

The result of Califf's sending off was a free kick outside the box for TFC and Dwayne De Rosario took it and it looked like a easy save for Union keeper Chris Seitz, until Seitz lost control of the ball and it rolled to the back of the net.

Another Seitz error gave TFC a penalty kick in the 80th minute. Seitz came out to try and stop O'Brian White from scoring, but Seitz ended up clipping White's feet on his dive and gave up the penalty.

De Rosario then netted his second goal of the game from the penalty spot and gave TFC the 2-1 advantage that they would hold until the final whistle.

There were some bright spots for the Union on offense tonight. Before Califf's sending off the offense was flowing, certainly not as good as last week but enough to hold the game level at 0-0. The Union did however recover after the first De Rosario goal, by tying the game at one goal apiece right before the halftime whistle.

After a good string of passes, Roger Torres found Jordan Harvey coming down the left side and Harvey struck the ball past TFC goalie Stefan Frei. Torres had another impressive performance in midfield but did not have a real chance to utilize his full talents after being taken off in the 55th minute for defender Shavar Thomas.

The Union visit Red Bull Arena for the first time next Saturday and will need to cope with the loss of Califf for a match, because of suspension and will need to sure up the back line.

Juan Pablo Angel and company will run right through the defense if the problem is not solved and what looked like a promising start could turn to a disappointing 1-3 start very quickly.

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