Onyewu makes return from surgery; Buddle makes 1st US appearance in 7 years

Onyewu makes return from surgery

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Oguchi Onyewu is making his first appearance in a game since knee surgery last October, and Edson Buddle is playing his first game for the U.S. national team in seven years.

Onyewu was picked to start in central defense in Tuesday night’s exhibition against the Czech Republic, a day before U.S. coach Bob Bradley announces his World Cup roster. Onyewu’s previous game was Oct. 14, when he tore his left patellar tendon during a qualifier against Costa Rica. He was operated on seven days later.

Buddle, Major League Soccer’s scoring leader, made his only previous national team appearance when he played 11 minutes as a substitute against Venezuela on March 29, 2003.