Galaxy deals for Buddle

The Galaxy, tied at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with six points thanks in large part to a struggling attack, on Wednesday traded veteran defender Tyrone Marshall to Toronto FC for forward Edson Buddle. The move came on the same day Portuguese center-back Abel Xavier trained with the Galaxy for the first time.

Buddle, who has two assists in 10 games this season, has 48 goals since entering Major League Soccer with Columbus in 2001. After playing five seasons for Columbus, he was traded to New York before the 2006 season and then the Red Bulls traded Buddle to Toronto FC.

The arrival of Xavier, whose signing was announced a month ago, gave the Galaxy the flexibility to deal Marshall. Coach Frank Yallop said Xavier and Buddle are likely to play Sunday against Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy now has only three players -- Chris Albright, Peter Vagenas and Cobi Jones -- who were on the roster at the start of 2004.

Marshall was the ninth pick of the 2002 allocation and dispersal draft, and over time he became a leader of the Galaxy’s back line.

Alexi Lalas, the Galaxy’s president and general manager, said more moves are likely with the opening of the league’s secondary transfer window Friday. “We will continue to make changes,” he said. “We have a responsibility to get this team headed in the right direction.... I would think that there will be some other signings.”