In praise of the streaking striker

One immutable truth to the global game is that strikers reap the most handsome paydays.

Oh, the blue ribbon goalkeepers and center backs of the world don’t exactly need to pick up cans along the side of the road for extra spending cash, but those paychecks generally just aren’t as hefty.

Here’s one of the reasons why: a hot striker can absolutely carry a team.

I’ve read a couple of stories in the last couple of days about the Los Angeles Galaxy about what’s gone wrong at Camp Arena. Clearly, the defense just isn’t as good right now.

On the other hand, what might the Galaxy’s last month or so look like if Edson Buddle was striking at the prodigious rate we saw earlier this year?

Buddle hit for No. 10 on July 4 as the soaring Galaxy topped Seattle, 3-1. But things appear to have come apart since then.

Bruce Arena’s team is 3-5-1 in all competitions since. In MLS, the Galaxy has seen its once-mighty lead in the West shrink to four points over Real Salt Lake. Arena’s side built that lead largely on Buddle’s early hot streak; the U.S.international hit for 10 goals in his first 10 games.

Since then he has three goals in six league matches.  That’s not terrible – it’s just not a strike rate that will drag a team toward greatness. Again, this isn’t to suggest that the Galaxy malaise is all about Buddle’s drop in production. Rather, it’s an illustration of the value of a streaking striker.

(Along those same lines, Landon Donovan picked up his 10^th assist that night against Seattle; he has just one in six league matches since.)

Here’s another example: The Seattle Sounders have recently gotten their groove back. Part of it is the curious case of addition by subtraction as it relates to fast Freddie Ljungberg. I’ve talked to Dave Clark (CEO of the flourishing Sounder at Heart enterprises) and I can’t really come to grips with that one … but let’s stay on topic here.

An undeniable aspect of the Sounder revival is Fredy Montero’s amazing run. The feisty little Colombian had scored or assisted in nine consecutive matches before last weekend’s scoreless draw at Chivas USA.

Around my part of the world, Jeff Cunningham’s stunning rebirth and big streak a year ago nearly led FC Dallas back from the dead, as Schellas Hyndman’s team came so close to battling out of the cellar and into a playoff spot.

So, mammas, don’t let your babies grow up to be fullbacks. Or, if you do, don’t expect ‘em to pick up the truly ginormous paychecks.