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Robbie Findley and Edson Buddle have put their time in MLS and both are clearly ready to look at new opportunities.
The two U.S. World Cup forwards have spent the past few weeks testing the waters in England and both look ready to make the leap abroad.
Findley has already signed with Nottingham Forest and is awaiting a work permit while Buddle, who is out of contract with Los Angeles, is reportedly being looked at as an option by several Premier League clubs despite there being serious questions about his own chances of securing a work permit.
Here is my Fox Soccer piece on Findley and Buddle and their current situations. Give the story a read and tell us what you think about Findley and Buddle's chances of making it in Europe. Think they can succeed? See Buddle coming back to MLS and the LA Galaxy?
Share your thoughts below.
Ok, I was as disappointed with Findley’s production at the Cup as anyone, but this hate for him has jumped the shark. Good on him. Find some form and show Bob you can do something.
Funny that the Nottingham FC homepage posted a short press interview with McCarthy related to Findley’s signing. Apparently, Findley initially was brought over by Wolves and upon arriving “injured,” was given treatment and time to heal up. During his “healing” time he ventured off to Nottingham, put pen to paper, and voila! Billy Davies got himself a Yank striker. Way to do business Findley.
I’m not holding my breath concerning Findley. If he finds success at Nottingham, well-played. If not, I’m sure Don Garber would love to employ Robbie once again.
As for Buddle, I don’t see the Birmingham thing working out. He’ll warm the pine behind Jerome because he’s not the type of striker to function well in McLeish’s 4-5-1 system. He just doesn’t have the quality to do that type of damage in the EPL flying solo up top. OTOH, I think he should try his hand with other Euro clubs. The Eredivise used to be the gateway for budding US talent, but now players automatically make the jump to the EPL. I think Buddle would be best served by getting his feet wet in Holland, Belgium, France, or Germany. If none of those leagues work out, there’s always Switzerland or Austria.
Help! Someone pls post bullet points on “the work permit issues” for Buddle. Why would he have a harder time than Findley? What is required for an American footballer to get a WP in England? Is it based on number of caps? Home country contract status? Shoe size or what?
(SBI-Findley played in many more national team games than Buddle, not even close. That’s why Findley has a better chance than Buddle.)
Perhaps I wasn’t clear. The effect is more jobs for Costa Ricans and Egyptians, fewer jobs for Argentians and Americans, since it is easier to get the requisite number of national team starts for the former players than the latter.
No, I believe that Ricketts problems were, as the UK press stated, due to “irregularities” in his work permit application. What those irregularities were I have no idea. Even those who seek a work permit with a commonwealth passport must apply and go through a background check. It is no slam dunk, BUT, the chances of gaining a work permit are exponetially larger than those through the non-Commonwealth, non-EU, process.
(SBI-Not sure how true this is because a source with knowledge of Omar Cummings loan talks with Aston Villa told me the fact that Jamaica’s FIFA ranking has been low the past two years he may not qualify automatically for a work permit. If an actual Jamaican international has trouble with that, what chance will the son of a Jamaican national have? Will certainly be interesting to see what happens.)
they make the usmnt worse. haven’t you noticed?
How exactly have Klestjan and Bornstein “reached their Expiration Date”??
Or Findley for that matter, not that I think he should be starting for the USMNT, but he’s 25.
Donovan Ricketts of the Galaxy is Jamaican and had work permit problems, so I doubt that is the solution.
Let’s hope he goes with what he did in south africa and play whoever is getting good mins
I dont see Findley making it anywhere in Europe. He is a one trick pony and his trick wont work there. That being true, he will immediately be in BBs starting 11 for upcoming friendlies
can’t wait to see Findley as a 2nd division bench-warmer continue to get USMNT starts over our younger talent…
on one hand, Bob gives many players a chance to play for the USMNT-kudos for that
on the other, he seems to be the last to know when they’ve reached their Expiration Date:
Findley, Johnson, Klestjan, Beasley, Bornstein…
it’ll be interesting to see if in 2014 he goes the Bruce Arena 2006 route and starts a very aging “veteran,” “guys who’ve been there” group
Jozy-Findley
Donovan-Bradley-Jones-Dempsey
Bornstein-Onyewu-Goodson- Dolo
Howard
Over half of these guys will be 30+
The Re-Entry Draft is for player’s who’s contract or options are not renewed of picked up. Buddle is trying to sign abroad, HE is the one that doesn’t necessarily want to return, Findley would fall in the same category as well if you looked at it that way. The Galaxy would take him back, probably with an extension and a raise and do WANT him back, they are hoping they can pair him up with Angel, but Buddle does want to try to cash in on his Career year and hit the jackpot with what would probably be a raise that would see his salary triple or quadruple?
…at world class speed…
Can’t wait to watch Findley dribbling over the end lines (with his head down) in Europe.
I thought Buddle can get a Jamaican passport through his father (born in Jamaica) A Jamaican passport is a UK Commonwealth passport, and while it would not guarantee a UK work permit, would put him in another ruleset than the 70 percent of USMNT appearances, required of US passport players seeking employment in the UK
the more, the merrier as far as I’m concerned, especially to clubs that hadn’t had Americans before…
as illogical as it seems in this global age of soccer, there still appears to be some bias against Americans and the ones who do make it and succeed, end up paving the way for others with the same clubs and managers…
Moyes at Everton had Brian McBride at a prior stop and then Tim Howard, then he got Donovan for a loan..
it’s not a coincidence that Fulhamerica ended up being a landing spot for Dempsey and then EJ…
Friedel was at Villa, who then got Guzan and Lichaj and Lletget…
there’s no logical reason that any other mid-tier EPL club couldn’t start signing these guys…
“They discriminate against players from the better soccer countries, since those players will have a much harder time meeting the eligibility requirements.”
That is pretty much the point of the rules. More jobs for domestic players
I don’t see Findley having any impact, having watched him implode in 2010 at RSL and the USMNT, he just doesn’t have the right stuff. He is fast, but doesn’t have the killer technique to put the ball at the back of the net consistently. As for Buddle he has passed his prime, and I see him as having less impact than Findley. Buddle had two of the best servicemen in the world between Beckham and Donovan. Buddle would be better to finish out in the MLS rather than fade into obscurity in the Championship division in England.
I hope Buddle is able to secure a work permit.
He’s earned the opporitunity and even if he fails or falls short of making a real impact, at least he tried.
I see you NOT being around to eat those words when he doesn’t.
Players can also get into other EU countries, then make the move to England.
I have to say, the work permit rules in England are pretty bogus. They discriminate against players from the better soccer countries, since those players will have a much harder time meeting the eligibility requirements. The requirements are somewhat of a problem for Americans, but how would Argentinians and Brazilians ever get work permits through these rules???
Typo in third paragraph. Should read: “Buddle finished out **2010** enjoying a career year…”
The way Findley helps us playing to play with a full eleven is not even making the USMNT roster. He’s done his damage. Let’s not give him the opportunity to do more. Good for him to make a roster over seas. As long as it’s not ours, I’m happy.
Playing at Forest is one thing and I think Findley can succeed there. I don’t see Buddle in the EPL adding up to success. And if Forest were able to climb into the EPL next year, I don’t see Findley being able to cope well either. However, despite my negativity… I wish them the best of luck and hope they find a good home where they can play, play often and be effective.
Especially the ones that were certain he would be good and productive. Surprise!! I suck. 😉
I sure would love to eat those words. It’s in our best interest that he not be the same as playing with 10 men.
Makes sense.
This is worded exactly as I was going to ask it. Thanks for looking out Daniel.
Buddle wouldn’t be in the re-entry draft if LA offered him a new contract. The re-entry draft is for players with expired contracts who weren’t offered a new contract or who had options declined.
I see Findley surprising EVERYBODY.
If Buddle is out of contract why wasn’t he in the re-entry draft?
Follow your dreams! Good on the two of them, and well deserved.