There was not much in last month’s 4-2 loss at the hands of Belgium for fans of the USMNT to feel good about. Though there is no shame in losing to a Belgium side that are stocked with young talent, the US were porous in the back (and have remained so in the two matches since) and generally impotent on the attack. Despite all of this, Stuart Holden’s substitute appearance presented a shining beacon of hope amidst what turned out to be a temporary darkness.
A shock win over a German B team and a historic triumph in Jamaica have the USMNT and supporters singing a much different tune than after the Belgium loss. The US sits in a prime position after four games of hexagonal play, but a new series of problems have cropped up ahead of tonight’s WCQ against Panama in Seattle. Due to a head injury and yellow card accumulation the US will be without two key players who are not easily replaced. Losing the Jermaine Jones in the center of the midfield and Graham Zusi out on the right are no doubt major blows to the team.
There is not an easy choice to replace Jones or Zusi, but Holden is a player on the roster who has the capacity to fill either role. Holden was often deployed at RM under Bob Bradley and has played CM for that majority of his club career, proving to be more than adequate in both roles.
When Holden stepped on the pitch at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland it was his first time doing so in a US shirt in nearly three years, the last time being a substitute appearance against England in the 2010 World Cup. Months before that World Cup Holden suffered a broken leg during a friendly against the Netherlands that sidelined him for two months. If not for that untimely injury it is likely that Holden could have figured more prominently in Bob Bradley’s World Cup plans.
Holden had burst on to the National Team scene in 2009 with a strong showing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He made five appearances and netted two goals while also being named to the All-Tournament team. The impressive Gold Cup performance paved the way for Holden to feature for the US later in the year in its last five World Cup qualifying matches.
Holden’s success with the US coincided with a strong season with his club, Houston Dynamo. Holden’s play garnered interest from other clubs and eventually he was transferred to Premier League side Bolton Wanderers in January of 2010.
The 2010-2011 Premier League season saw Holden in peak form for Bolton Wanderers. Holden had become a regular starter for the club and helped it climb as high as seventh in the League and reach the FA Cup Semi-finals.
What had been a dream season quickly turned to horror on March 19, 2011 when Manchester United’s Johnny Evans delivered a vicious tackle that gashed Holden’s leg and damaged his ACL. Perhaps it was Holden’s absence that best revealed his importance to Bolton, as the club slipped down the table in his absence and finished the season in 14th place. Despite missing the last two months of the season, Holden was voted Bolton’s player of the year.
Holden would ultimately miss the better part of two years as a result of Evans’ brutal challenge. After a failed return attempt in 2011, Holden finally made a successful return on January 15th in an FA Cup match against Sunderland. After struggling to get playing time upon returning to Bolton, Holden took advantage of a short loan stint to League One club Sheffield Wednesday to get valuable match minutes.
Holden’s return to the National Team on Tuesday was the product of much determination and persistence in the face of adversity. The return meant a great deal to him as he told ussoccer.com after the match:
“Great feeling on a personal note just to be back with the National Team. As I said it’s a moment and a thought that had kept me going through my rehab in the sense of walking back out with this group. What it means to be a part of your national team and that feeling collectively was a really special one for me, and something that I’ll treasure and that I won’t forget now as I try to push on and get better.”
http://www.ussoccer.com/news/mens-national-team/2013/05/quote-sheet-usa-vs-belgium.aspx
Though it remains to be seen how much Holden will be able to contribute to the US, he has already accomplished something special by fighting his way back from multiple serious injuries. If he can pick up where he left off before injuries he will be a key piece in the midfield for Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad going forward.
Having not witnessed any US training sessions I cannot say whether or not Holden is ready to really make his mark on the National Team. If Holden has looked at all sharp in training I would hope that Klinsmann would not be afraid to insert him in the lineup for tonight’s important qualifier. Holden could pair well with Michael Bradley in the center of the midfield. Geoff Cameron was serviceable as a substitute for Jones when defending a lead against Jamaica, but it would be a shame for Klinsmann to make such a defensive- minded decision in a home match against an opponent that the US should beat.
Holden (assuming he is physically ready) would provide on-the-ball playmaking ability and creativity that none of the other replacement choices can bring to the table. If Klinsmann does not think Holden is ready to contribute in a big match like this, why is he in the squad? Landon Donovan is playing well in MLS and would be ideal to replace Zusi at out on the right. If Klinsmann never planned on seriously using Holden, that roster spot should have gone to someone like Donovan who would be able to step into this type of game without anyone worrying.
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