The rumors of an Eddie Gaven trade have finally been legitimized.
On Tuesday, Red Bull New York shipped the midfielder and the rights to defender Chris Leitch to the Columbus Crew in exchange for striker Edson Buddle.
Gaven, 19, spent three seasons with the MetroStars, who play near his hometown of Hamilton, N.J. In his second professional season in 2004, Gaven had a breakout year with seven goals and seven assists. He tapered off mightily last season, and the Red Bulls deemed him expendable.
For New York, the trade finally gives them a legitimate, proven striker in Buddle. Even though the 24-year-old Buddle was suspended last year for violating the league's substance-abuse and behavioral-heath policy, the Red Bulls are willing to gamble on the New Rochelle, N.Y., native, who's scored 42 goals in 106 MLS games.
Prior to the trade, New York was relying on the much-criticized striker tandem of Youri Djorkaeff and Mike Magee. In fact, in the Red Bulls' final three preseason games they were shut out.
A MORE COMFY HOME: Red Bull New York announced today that grass sod will be laid over the Giants Stadium FieldTurf surface for the club's home opener on April 8 against the New England Revolution.
"The FieldTurf at Giants Stadium is unacceptable and there is a growing concern for the safety of our players," said Red Bulls general manager Alexi Lalas. "This decision reflects Red Bull's commitment to providing our fans with an authentic soccer experience and our team with suitable field conditions."
The Red Bulls, formerly the MetroStars, have played their home games on FieldTurf since the synthetic surface was installed in the facility before the 2003 MLS season.
Currently, Giants Stadium is one of two venues in MLS that have a synthetic surface, with the other being Real Salt Lake's venue — Rice-Eccles Stadium.
DEMPSEY RETURNS: Clint Dempsey returned to practice Monday with the New England Revolution after serving a two-week suspension for fighting with a teammate during practice.
The midfielder spoke to teammates and coaches in a group for a short time but did not speak with reporters.
Dempsey, the 2004 rookie of the year in Major League Soccer, had been left off the U.S. roster for last Wednesday's exhibition game at Germany. Coach Bruce Arena's decision to leave Dempsey off was due to the suspension, U.S. Soccer Federation spokesman Jim Moorhouse said.
Dempsey had fought with Revolution captain Joe Franchino during a workout for the MLS team. His suspension ended Sunday.