Teal Bunbury just can't be stopped this offseason for KC. After the US national team call up, the successful GA tour, and training with EPL side, Stoke City, Bunbury added to his accomplishments by scoring today for the Potters in the reserve team's 3-1 loss to Wigan. Bunbury scored after getting on the end of a through ball by one time Wizards designated player target, Eidur Gudjohnsen. The goal gave the Potters a 1-0 lead, but Wigan responded with 3 unanswered to win the game 3-1. The Stoke article refers to Bunbury as a trialist, and at least one article in Europe picked up on this and ran with the rumor saying that they were looking to sign the SKC striker to a contract to improve their strike force. SKC made their first comment on Bunbury's training with the club today to correct the comment about him being a trialist.
A move for Bunbury would seem unlikely at this time but you never know. If he impresses enough while training with the club he could certainly bring an offer from Stoke in January if they wanted to try and buy him. At this point I don't really see Sporting accepting any offer unless it was way over the top. I also wouldn't go if I was Bunbury, the lack of playing time and success in Europe for Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu should be signs for caution, while spending time developing in MLS can lead to big things as the play by Clint Dempsey and Stuart Holden show. Hopefully Bunbury would want to continue to develop instead of jumping at the money. It would also leave a big hole in the Wizards forward line. In fact with the way things have gone I wouldn't be surprised if Bunbury starts the season as a starter ahead of 2010 team MVP, Kei Kamara with Ryan Smith and Omar Bravo, but we'll have to wait and see.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
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2 comments:
It's great he has be able to accomplish this in the offseason, hopefully and more importantly he can do this for the team that pays his paychecks. Regarding it being a trial, it sounds more like it's an unofficial trial and if he can score more goals than Gudjohnson or Marc Wilson they may sign him. Though Altidore and Adu have shown how big the step up in competition it is from MLS to Europe as they were inexperienced, while Dempsey was eased in at Fulham and had good few years for New England. Holden had already played for Sunderland in England before playing for Houston. But in Houston refined his game to become the excellent player he is.
What do you think of a swap: Gudjohnson for Bunbury? My opinion is Bunbury has more upside and can become a valued striker over the next few seasons; the Wizards could sell and make a million or two.
Who are these Wizards of which you speak?
It's good that Teal is getting some quality training time and exposure, but he's too young for Europe right now. Better to have a couple of solid seasons with SKC and then make the jump to the EPL.
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