Holden: Is He The One?

Stuart Holden is the future of U.S. Soccer and what a bright future it is!

Check out minutes 8:30 and 10:07: Holden Steals the Show this weekend against Blackburn.

More often then not when I watch the U.S. Men's National Team I have the urge to go and bang my head against the wall. I bang my head against the wall because the U.S. never holds possession for more than a couple passes, frequently resorts to aimless kickball and attacks with the precision and efficiency of a Dodo bird. I am convinced the reason for these occurances is that the U.S. does not have a creative, exciting, unpredictable, forward minded, attacking center midfielder who actually wants the ball at his feet.

Enter Stuart Holden:

This year Holden has played the attacking center midfield (like a QB in soccer) role for Bolton Wanderers in the Barclays English Premier League. Bolton are currently the fourth highest scoring team in the league behind the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea and sit in six place over all. Moreover, the Premier league is arguably one of the most competitive in the world. Each premier league team fights tooth and nail every week to keep their opponents out of the goal. Indeed, the league is known for its hard nose tackling and impenetrable organized defenses. Holden has only 2 goals in 1 assist in 17 appearances. Not terribly impressive. Yet, Holden is young and there is still plenty of time for him to grow into a the center mid star that U.S. soccer desperately needs. Most people know Donovan, Dempsey and the goalie Howard, but if the U.S. is ever going to be a serious contender for the World Cup they need a center midfielder who wants the ball at his feet. Holden has shown hat he can be the answer to our midfield nightmare if only Coach Bob Bradley would give him a chance.