Buddle leads U.S. to 3-1 victory over Australia in final World Cup warm-up match

June 5, 2010

By Sean Donahue

Edson Buddle gave U.S. Head Coach Bob Bradley something to think about as he works to finalize his starting line-up for the team’s World Cup opener against England next Saturday. Buddle found the back of the net twice in the first half and Herculez Gomez put the game out of reach with a goal late in second half stoppage time as the U.S. defeated Australia 3-1 at Ruimsig Stadium in Roodepoort, South Africa.

Bradley played what may be close to the U.S. starting line-up when the World Cup starts. Only expected starters Oguchi Onyewu and Jozy Altidore were on the bench. Onyewu, still regaining fitness after missing nearly all of last season with a knee injury, entered the match in the 61st minute. Altidore sat out the match because a sprained ankle he suffered early this week in training.

One of the major question marks has been who will partner Altidore up top, assuming the striker is healthy in time for the start of the World Cup. Should Bradley stick with two men up top, the options are Buddle, Gomez or Robbie Findley. Findley has yet to score at the international stage, while Gomez and Buddle have now each scored twice, both during the U.S.’ pre-world cup friendly matches.

Buddle opened the scoring in just the 4th minute. The Los Angeles Galaxy striker stole the ball from Vincenzo Grella and dribbled forward to the top of the 18-yard box before sending a right footed shot past goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and into the right side of the net. The goal was the first of Buddle’s international career.

Robbie Findley should have had his first international goal in the 15th minute. The speedy Real Salt Lake forward used his pace to beat the offside trap and dribble around Schwarzer, but sent his shot wide of the open net.

Australia got the equalizer in the 19th minute through Tim Cahill. Cahill, unmarked, slid in at the back post to redirect a Luke Wilkshire corner kick past Tim Howard and into the back of the net.

Former New England Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey had an opportunity in the 27th minute. An impressive counter attack that saw some nice passing between Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley, led to Dempsey getting inside the box and sending a low shot towards the far post. Dempsey’s well placed shot was just tipped wide by a diving Schwarzer.

Buddle gave the U.S. the lead back in 31st minute. The 29 year old got in front of his marker to head in a cross from Steve Cherundolo after the defender used his pace to create space on the right flank.

Some poor defending almost handed Australia another equalizer three minutes later. Jay DeMerit fell backwards when tracking Josh Kennedy, leaving the Australian striker unmarked. Kennedy rose up from close range for a wide open header off a cross from the left flank, but couldn’t direct his effort on target.

Dempsey thought he had doubled the Revs advantage in the 51st minute. Donovan’s through ball sent Edson Buddle behind the defense. With Robbie Findley also making a run, Buddle unselfishly passed it to his fellow striker. Findley, however, saw his effort hit the crossbar. The rebound fell to Bradley, who blasted a shot on frame, but was denied by Schwarzer, who punched it into the air. Dempsey then came in with a diving header that found the back of the net, but saw his goal denied for an offside call.

Herculez Gomez put the game out of reach deep into stoppage time. The substitute forward calmly slotted in a driven cross from Donovan from near the penalty spot.

The U.S. kicks off the World Cup on Saturday against England. The game can be seen live at 2:30PM on ABC.

Return from Buddle leads U.S. to 3-1 victory over Australia in final World Cup warm-up match

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