by Matt - US Soccer Daily
It certainly was a rough start to 2009 for Stuart Holden. After a January call-up saw Holden poised to make his debut for the USMNT in their friendly against Sweden, the young Dynamo midfielder had to deal with frustration of having to withdraw from camp due to a hip injury. This disappointment regarding an opportunity lost, however, was nothing compared to the anguish that Holden would have to deal with just one month later. On February 16th, Holden’s father Brian passed away at the age of 56 after a six-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Just weeks before the MLS season was set to begin, Holden had to deal with the biggest loss of his life while continuing on with his professional duties.
In a display of strength and maturity well beyond his 23 years (at the time), Holden pushed on from the offseason tragedy and immediately established himself as the key cog in the Dynamo attack. After a breakout season in 2008, Holden became a full-fledged MLS superstar. In the first 15 league games of 2009, Holden scored three goals and tallied three assists, starting every game. His modest numbers did not fully reflect the talent and attacking creativity that Holden displayed, but fans and pundits alike recognized the ability of the blossoming midfielder. Fortunately for Holden, the guy whose opinion really matters took notice as well, as Bob Bradley brought him in for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
While the many saw the Gold Cup as merely a tournament for B-teams that had little importance outside of temporary bragging rights, Holden saw it as an opportunity to make his case for bigger and better things. He made his USMNT debut in style, heading home his first international goal in the 31st minute in the team’s 4-0 rout of Grenada. This was just the beginning, however, of what proved to be a fantastic tournament for the former Clemson Tiger. Holden was pure class in the USMNT’s third group stage match against Haiti, with a sublime through-ball to Davy Arnaud to set up the opening goal and an absolutely stunning strike in stoppage time to rescue a point. All in all, Holden would finish the tournament with 2 goals and 3 assists, as he guided a young squad to the final. His efforts not only earned him All-Tournament honors, but also earned him a call-up from Bob Bradley for the big one: USA-Mexico at Estadio Azteca.
In a match where, USMNT players grew noticeably sluggish, Holden came on in the second half and injected life into the lineup. Making his World Cup qualifying debut in the most hostile of environments, Holden showed no fear, becoming one of the team’s most dangerous attackers as the final 45 wore on. His performance in Mexico City and his continued club level exploits made Stuart Holden a frequently discussed name in US soccer circles, and Bob Bradley brought him back into camp once more the USMNT’s critical pair of September qualifiers.
Once more, Holden took advantage of his opportunity to shine, looking very dangerous off the bench. His quality showings and continued growth have many believing that Holden will be among the 23 headed to South Africa next summer. In the span of six months, Holden’s stock has risen exponentially, as he has vaulted himself from second-tier prospect to potential World Cup starter.
As if all of his on-field success wasn’t enough, Holden is also garnering recognition for his off the field work. Holden earned the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Athlete for his charitable efforts with the Dynamo and his own organization, Holden’s Heroes. He was honored alongside NFL stars Justin Tuck and Nnamdi Asomugha earlier this week in New York, adding one more highlight to 2009.
Things still have yet to slow down even though 2009 is drawing to a close. Holden finished off the year with another deep playoff run, with the Dynamo eventually falling just short of another MLS Cup appearance. With just weeks left in an already eventful year, the Aberdeen native sits on the brink of the biggest decision of his young career. Europe is beckoning, and Holden could very well return overseas four years after a brief stint with Sunderland. Don Garber and MLS, however, are still in talks with Holden (whose contracts with the league expires this winter), as the two sides met yesterday to discuss the possibilities. This next move will be a critical one, as Holden looks for the right team to help continue his growth as a player and assist him in achieving his goal of playing in next summer’s World Cup.
Whatever he ends up deciding, it will just be another memorable moment in a year that Stuart Holden will not soon forget.
