Saturday's MLS Cup Final between the LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo will feature three former Crew players in LA's Edson Buddle and Pat Noonan, and Houston's Adam Moffat. Here is a look at the trio's time in Black & Gold and how they've fared this season.
Edson Buddle, FWD LA Galaxy - Selected in the third round of the 2001 MLS Superdraft, Buddle scored 42 goals and assisted on 15 more from 2001-2005 for the Black & Gold, including the club's only four-goal game on September 18, 2004 against the NY/NJ MetroStars. Buddle was traded to the MetroStars on March 28, 2006 in exchange for Eddie Gaven and Chris Leitch. After making two appearances for the United States in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Buddle joined second division German side FC Ingolstadt from the Galaxy where he scored nine goals in two seasons. Buddle re-joined the Galaxy before the 2012 season. He tallied three goals and contributed one assist in 19 appearances this season.
Adam Moffat, MID Houston Dynamo - Discovered while playing for the Cleveland City Stars in USL Second Division in 2007, the Crew signed the Scot just before the MLS season ended that season. The next year, Moffat contributed two goals in the Black & Gold's 2008 Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup-winning campaign. In all, Moffat scored five goals and chipped in on assist in Columbus from 2007-2010 before he was selected by Portland Timbers FC in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. In his first full season with the Dynamo, Moffat scored two goals in the 2012 regular season, including a late equalizer against the Crew on August 19. In five playoff games with Houston this year, Moffat has one goal: a patented "Moffat Rocket" against Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal.
Pat Noonan, FWD LA Galaxy - Acquired from the New England Revolution after spending a half-season in Norway, Noonan joined the Crew for the tail-end of the 2008 season to contribute a goal and two assists in 11 appearances. The St. Louis native was traded in June of 2009 to the Colorado Rapids. Noonan scored one goal in 10 appearances for the Galaxy this season.
