Opposition have tightened up on Buddle – LA Galaxy’s Arena

LA Galaxy striker Edson Buddle has had a lean run of things recently after a barnstorming beginning to the 2010 MLS season.

The USA international netted nine goals in the opening six games of the season but has scored just four since and it has come down to the opposition focusing more on his game according to Galaxy coach Bruce Arena.

“There is certainly a real strong defensive focus on Edson,” Arena said.

“He’s getting fouled a lot. It goes with the territory and I think he understands that. It is what it is but I give the players who have been playing against him a lot of credit – they’ve dealt with him real well.”

But Arena added that perhaps it was Buddle’s teammates who had dropped off in recent weeks, making things more difficult for the forward.

“The players who are playing around Edson have to be a little bit sharper in their movements and their passing and that kind of thing and we’re not getting that,” Arena added.