No word yet on Holden's injury. He was stretchered off.
Showing posts with label Stuart Holden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stuart Holden. Show all posts
No word yet on Holden's injury. He was stretchered off.
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| Nigel de Jong's handiwork |
Netherlands head coach Bert van Marwijk has dropped Nigel de Jong from his roster for upcoming Euro qualifying over the 25 year-old midfielder's chronic rough play. The latest broken leg left in de Jong's wake belongs to Newcastle forward Hartem Ben Arfa, and van Marwijk's decision comes as a direct response.
It's been a long time since I did a link post. Aside from the Henry-Hartman incident last night, there's not much top-of-mind to write about. Perhaps something will present itself a bit later.
In the meantime, let's take a look around the webernet for interesting things to read...
Hey, Nigel. What's your problem, man?
That challenge you put on Stu Holden was just not cool. Honestly, you should have been sent off for it, and how you didn't destroy our young midfielder's leg is difficult to comprehend. Have you watched the replays? Stu's leg flexed in a place it's not supposed to flex, and I can only imagine he's in a lot of pain today.
Do you know how lucky you are that it's just a fracture and not a compound break like Aaron Ramsey suffered this past weekend?
Holden is a player on the rise, and though we Americans worried over his move to Bolton this winter, things were starting to come together for the kid. Hell, he'd even been nicknamed "Holdenballs" because of his sweet right foot (yes, we realize it's derivative and the Mail was just being clever), and had a very good chance of locking down a starting spot in the World Cup if things progressed well.
And you ruined it, you bastard.
Your challenge wasn't just clumsy, the way Ryan Shawcross' was, it was malicious. Late, high, and with intent, you slid in on a vulnerable player and came a whisker away from ruining his chances to play in June. A six week prognosis is just about the best we could have hoped for, so even as we exhale deeply (the Americans are swimming in injuries, we don't need anymore, dammit), there might be a segment of country planning retribution.
Fair warning, though I don't know why I should give it to you: be on the lookout for packs of young girls wearing orange. They just might cut ya.
The just thing, Nigel, would have been a sending off for you. You were cautioned, which I guess is something, but clearly came short of proper punishment. If you Dutch side had gone down to ten men, perhaps the Yanks could have done a little better, broken through a little earlier, and pulled a draw or win out of the match. Not that it really matters. The game was a friendly, and while so many of us would have loved to win in Amsterdam, the value of the game really lied in testing our players against a fully functional Oranje.
At least that's what I'm telling myself.
Karma is a bitch, Nigel, and I'm truly hoping you feel its wrath for your reckless tackle. There's no defense for what you did.
Meanwhile, the Americans move forward towards the World Cup with one more injury concern on the list. You and your clog-wearing teammates bested the Yanks pretty good yesterday, though it's not as bad as it seems. Bob Bradley knows what he has, and knows that it will always be tough to dictate much against a passing team as good as yours. The approach will continue to be about defending and taking their chances where they can; our best attacking player was a non-entity yesterday, our daffy left back gifted you two goals, and somehow we managed to stay in the game. Forgive me if I take that as a good sign.
There's a lot of work to be done before June, and obviously with the lack of depth, the Americans need every possible contributor healthy and playing for their club to maximize their readiness. Unfortunately, Stu Holden won't be doing that until at least April because you're a dirty hack of a player, Nigel.
You suck, Nigel. Real bad.
Where goes Owen Coyle, so (reportedly) follows Stuart Holden; after initially being extended a trial invitation by Burnley, the American midfielder may now headed to Bolton, where Coyle was recently installed as manager.
After wondering (aloud, on the most recent American Soccer Show as a matter of fact) if it was Coyle (or a member of his staff) that was directly responsible for the Burnley trial invitation and if the manager's move might have an impact on it, I've been given an answer. Holden's switch is interesting on that level, with Coyle indicating a strong interest, and brings up a new question: Will it be easier or more difficult for him to earn a contract with the Wanderers than it would have been with the Clarets?
Coyle did well to push Burnley to the Premier League, and did it while doing everything possible to play attacking soccer. Burnley's 2009-2010 ultimate fortunes are yet to be written, but with the club sitting in fourteenth place on twenty points, the possibility of a second consecutive top-flight season seemed reasonable. Still, the Clarets might very likely have been fighting for their lives down the stretch, and if Holden had managed to catch on there, his playing for a struggling side might not have been the best situation. As we've seen with Jozy Altidore at Hull (admittedly a younger, less refined player), consistent playing time can be hard to come by when every point comes at a premium.
Unfortunately for Holden, Bolton is actually in a worse position than Burnley. They sit eighteenth in the table, have earned eighteen points in eighteen games, and are in the relegation zone. Coyle's hiring is a direct result of their underwhelming play to this point, and his task will be to lift them to safety before the year is out. Though Bolton trails Burnley in the standings, they do have two games in hand.
Bolton is the bigger club, though the difference between the two on the field is negligible; no matter which Holden signed with, he'd be facing the prospects of being tied to a club going down, and without a relegation clause (which I'm not sure he would get), might find himself playing in the Championship next year. Would that truly (aside from salary, which is admittedly a factor) be much better than staying in MLS?
There's two ways to look at Holden's chances to catch on in England, and it really wouldn't matter if we're talking about Bolton or Burnley. On one hand, both sides obviously need quality, and Holden is a talented player; on the other, neither is the best place for an unproven (at that level) player to try and find a role. My best guess is that Holden going on trial with a Premier League club is a safe choice because he can test himself and determine if he has a future in England, while keeping his option to return to MLS and the Dynamo open. Though Houston is reportedly moving on because they can't afford to do otherwise, they would certainly take Holden back in a heartbeat if given the chance.
And I think they'll get that chance. Coyle's and/or his staff's interest in Holden may be legitimate, and I have no doubt they'll give Holden every opportunity to play his way into a contract. But with the uncertainty of the new environment for Coyle, Holden's safety net in the US, and an innate desire to play immediately and as much as possible before June, my gut says he'll be an MLSer again come February 1 (pending the CBA fallout).
That wouldn't be the end of the world, and there's no reason to believe Holden couldn't get a relatively advantageous contract out of the league should he re-sign. He'd be foolish to accept multiple league-controlled options, and should have the leverage to give himself an out should another move abroad become possible. If that is the case, and his Premier League fortunes this year hinge on a relegation-threatened club with a new manager offering him a contract after a trial, then my only conclusion is that he'll once again be wearing orange in March.
Fox's Houston affiliate is reporting that Stuart Holden has made a decision on his future, at least for the next few weeks, and will go on trial with English Premier League side Burnley.
This does not necessarily close the door on Holden returning to the Houston Dynamo in 2010, but it does make his intentions clear. He wants to play in England, and if he impresses Burnley (currently 14th in the table), a contract there would entice him away from MLS.
Holden also revealed this evening that he will make an appearance on the New Year's Day edition of Good Morning American tomorrow morning.
Unfortunately for MLS, who tried desperately to keep him with a large non-DP offer, and Houston fans, who will hate to see their young star go, I full expect Holden to play well on trial and secure a deal to play in England for 2010 and beyond.
If Stuart Holden ends up in Europe, it could be with Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, according to multiple reports out of England and Scotland.
Holden's rumored suitors also include SPL clubs Aberdeen and Rangers, and the efforts of Major League Soccer to keep him in Dynamo orange are substantial. Still, with Blackburn entry into the sweepstakes, the decision for Holden becomes that much more difficult; while the Rovers would offer Holden an opportunity to play in the bright lights of the Premier League, the club is only three points from the relegation zone. With that fight framing ever move made by manager Sam Allardyce, it's difficult to see Holden playing much during the remainder of this season.
For the short term, joining Blackburn might be a disaster for Holden and his World Cup form. In the long term though, whether they stay up or not, the club might be a good place for the American to continue the growth he's experienced while in MLS.
The MLS offer, reported to be at or near a non-DP max salary, likely can't stack up to what Blackburn can offer Holden. But the extraneous factors, including a certain starting role, the comfort of home and family, and a head coach that knows how to best use him, add value to the league's offer. Holden's good enough to be a contributor for the USMNT during this year's World Cup, but his ability to be that could be severely handicapped by ending up buried on Sam Allardyce's bench.
What do you make of Blackburn's interest, and do you think it would be a good move for the young American?
Last show of the year, people. There's news and discussion of Donovan, Holden, and Beasley, plus an interview with an English footballer looking to play in the US and a rundown of the top five American soccer moments of 2009.
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Very shortly, we'll know in which direction American wunderkind Stuart Holden will take his nascent professional soccer career. Will he head to Europe now, ready to make his bones under the brighter lights of British or Continental football? Or will he choose to remain at home, ready to fully accept the mantle as Major League Soccer's young American star?
It seems like everyone has an opinion on the subject, and we here at MFUSA are no different. To best lay out the cases for each of Stu's options, Jason Davis and regular contributor Jason Kuenle went back and forth on what Holden should do and why he should do it.
Arguing for the MLS stay will be Jason Davis, while Jason Kuenle presents the reasons Stu should go.
Stuart Holden faces a difficult decision this month, having to choose between staying with the Houston Dynamo where his talent has developed, or flitting off to Europe, with its brighter lights and bigger paychecks. The league is making a solid push to keep him, including a massive raise (reported to be near non-DP max) and personal intervention by MLS Don Garber. Wrapped up in all of this is Holden's place in the 2010 USMNT World Cup team; stay, and he plays for sure, helping to make his case that a trip to, and major role in, South Africa should be his. For that reason, I'm advocating that Holden stay in the US and continue his promising career here. The money is nothing to sneeze at, and a young, talented player like Stu needs as much playing time as he can get. MLS is where he should be, at least for now.
As you suggest, his 2010 World Cup hopes are all about playing time. Between now and March, both the US' current starting wingers will be playing in England. In addition, with Beasley's last four games producing a goal, an assist, a PK earned, and two other goal setups, Beas will likely be seeing regular time somewhere in Europe this spring. Holden is no lock for South Africa even with regular playing time in MLS. With three wingers potentially ahead of him, and a few central midfielders playing in Europe sure to go, Holden is in a battle with Feilhaber, Torres, and other MLS options for those last few places in a crowded midfield. A move to Europe gives Holden an additional three months of meaningful playing time to set himself apart, if he signs with a team that is a good fit.
The additional possible time Holden might get is an advantage of moving to Europe; but there's no guarantee he'll play immediately, and I worry that instead of contributing in MLS, as he would from March to June, he'll be stuck on a bench or getting nothing but added time substitution appearances. That just won't cut it.
We can't discount the potential for Holden to become the new young American face of MLS, either; it's tough to tell a young talented player that he should shirk European glory for the good of the game in the US, but that's exactly what I'm going to do. MLS needs Stu, and he could have a much larger impact here than he could at a Scottish or bottom of the table Premier League team.
The possibility of a bad European move definitely exists, but Holden's move does not need to be perfect for it to be better than MLS. Barring injury to other US players, Holden will be a bench option for Bradley in South Africa. Meaning that being 90 minutes fit is not the highest priority for him. I would consider his latching onto a team where he splits starts or is regularly the first option off the bench a successful move.
For his long term prospects, I wonder how short of a contract MLS will agree to. I'll take what you said a bit further; MLS needs Stu more than Stu needs MLS. If this large MLS contract is their standard two years plus two option years, Holden would be at the mercy of MLS for another four years. We've seen this with guys like Donovan and Shalrie Joseph, players that eventually outgrow MLS, but are contractually bound. Holden has all the leverage in this situation, so maybe he can ink a one or two year deal, but I dread having this same conversation when he's 28 and we're preparing for the 2014 World Cup.
The contract he signs with MLS, if he does decide to stay, is absolutely key. You're right that the league needs him more than he needs the league, but remember that my argument for him to stay is only based on this World Cup; I'd agree that he can ill afford to sign a typical MLS contract, and should do everything he can to force better terms. When 2010 is over, and Stu is coming off of what I expect will be a good showing at the World Cup and another MLS Best XI type club campaign (provided he stays, of course), I would be disappointed to find him locked into a four year stay here.
As much as a foregone conclusion Holden's World Cup spot seems now, there's always a chance for things to change. If DaMarcus Beasley, a left footed option where the US has few, plays his way back into the team, what might that mean for Holden? In that case, getting as much playing time, first team and 90 minutes, as possible is massive. The only way to guarantee that, even if he's not playing at all until March because of the off-season, is to stay with the Dynamo.
Granted, the only way to guarantee it is to stay with the Dynamo, but there are some options that are not far from a guarantee and would get him into a more fluid player market. Aberdeen, while not the sexiest of clubs, may be the option that satisfies both. As his family's home, there would be little adjustment. They've been averaging less than a goal per game, so they definitely need the offensive help. They're squarely midtable, so there's no additional pressure to perform (besides making the WC team, pressure he would have in Houston as well). And because they would not need to recover a huge transfer fee, with a good few months for the club and a good World Cup, Aberdeen would have him up on for auction during the summer transfer window or he will have led them to at least a Europa Cup spot. Yes, the money might not be as good, club officials have said as much, but this could amount to a six month loan to get playing time and exposure. Looking past this World Cup, Holden's options after this move are key. I think he's more likely to get better transfer offers going forward out of a club like Aberdeen than out of MLS.
If comfort is the thing, then Houston wins. Aberdeen may be his family's ancestral home, but Texas is where they reside now. Dominic Kinnear knows Holden, knows how to use Holden, and knows how to foster the confidence he will need to be at his best come June. There's nothing wrong with Abedeen from the angle you're taking, but if the only goal is to potentially move on in the summer, then Holden's priorities aren't within the framework of my argument. The caveat for me, as we've mentioned, is that he not get handcuffed by a long or option-laden contract; if he can work out a deal with MLS to sign for a year and move on next January, then he's maintained control of his future while guaranteeing himself a starting role and playing time during the World Cup run-up. If Holden's focus is primarily on his European career right now, there's really nothing MLS can do because their offer won't compare to those from abroad.
This decision, with all the parameters you and I have outlined, is really nothing more than the flip of a coin. If everything goes perfectly, as you've described it (go to a place like Aderdeen, play, and move on in the summer to a bigger club), then he absolutely should go. But with something as important as this, my gut says he should choose the known over the unknown. In Houston, he WILL play, he WILL be comfortable in his surroundings, and he WILL be as ready as he can be for the World Cup in June.
I agree it is a coin flip. I think we've outlined three general possibilities here: a successful move to Europe, a bad move to Europe, and staying in MLS. As long as Holden can get a contract that does not limit his future growth, MLS is the safe option. A successful move to Europe is better and a bad move to Europe is worse than being in MLS for another season or two. But any move to Europe is a crap shoot. While some European options might look safer than others, there is nothing as sure as Houston. From a fan prospective, it's easy to want to see Holden roll the dice. If he doesn't make it, the talent pool exists to fill his place. But from Stu's vantage point, if the offer from Houston is right, I can't fault him for taking it.
There you have it. It's easy to see why Stuart Holden might be agonizing over what very might well be the most important decision of his career.
So who do you side with? Play-it-safe Jason Davis, or seize-the-moment Jason Kuenle?
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.
The off-season has only just begun for the Houston Dynamo, and already there are reports the team could look significantly different next year. Two of Houston's more prominent players and freshly minted US National Team regulars are reportedly headed out.
Ricardo Clark
First, a departure of the confirmed variety: Ricardo Clark as informed the Dynamo that he has no intention of signing a new contract when his current one expires next month. Clark has turned in another solid MLS campaign while also featuring in midfield for the US, and obviously sees his opportunity to go abroad.
It's tough to blame him, even if it is painful as an MLS fan to watch another talented American leave; Clark has improved consistently, and at 26, still has more than a few good years left in him. While he's not flashy and might not sell tickets on his own, he's exactly the type of player that MLS must hold onto to raise the level of play and improve their product.
The problem is that Clark is in line for a massive raise in Europe, one that the Dynamo could never match. Already making over $200k, Clark's salary slot makes re-signing in Houston almost impossible. Clark's national team time this summer has increased his profile abroad dramatically, as evidenced by the interest Serie A side Livorno showed in him back in July. It seems apparent that Clark has maxed out on both his ability to grow and his ability to make money in MLS.
I'm lost as to a guess where Clark might end up, but something tells me France could be a good bet.
Stuart Holden
Holden's position is slightly different than Clark's, in that his departure is not a foregone conclusion. It's one of the regular jokes that floats around the MLS community that Holden is woefully underpaid (per the MLS Players Union, Holden made $34,728.75 for 2009); while his salary is certain to skyrocket, and rightfully so, Holden still faces a difficult decision for himself and his family.
Rumors are already swirling that Holden could head the nation of his birth, Scotland, to play for an SPL club. It's just not about salary or going "home" for Holden though, and he's rightfully concerned about playing time. A lack of pitch time would not only stall Holden's development as a player, it might put his World Cup roster spot in jeopardy. Holden's keenly aware of that, so expect him to err on the side of regular first team play rather than money or prestige.
Again, Holden is another young, talented American player that MLS needs to keep around if at all possible; from a club-centric American soccer viewpoint, a Holden departure would be a crushing blow. Unfortunately, a National Team-focused perspective might actually go the other way; in order for Holden to continue to improve at a rate that will make him a star contributor for the United States one day soon, it may be necessary for him to go.
Just not Scotland. Please, Stu. The Old Firm has caché, and I'm sure playing in Scotland would be very nice for a native of the country, but the SPL is not the place to grow. Rather, it's not the place to grow when there are better leagues available, some of which surely have clubs interested in Holden.
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The Dynamo, year after year, contend for the MLS Cup title because they are well-run, have an excellent coach, and find talented players to fill holes created when established names leave. Clark is gone, and Holden might be on his way as well; if both of those crucial midfield players leave, what will the Dynamo look like for 2010?
Something I failed to bring up when I posted that Clint Dempsey will miss Saturday's US qualifier against Honduras due to a shoulder injury is the question of it's affect on both the team and the player. I'm not original in the idea, though I should have mentioned it when it occurred to me, as Steve Davis has beaten me to the punch.
Original or not, it's a question worth asking. Dempsey hasn't exactly burned it up for the Nats the last few times out, and while he may still be an automatic starter for the foreseeable future, there might be something to having him watching someone play his position. Sure, it's for injury and not because Bradley is sitting him down, but anything to light a fire under the guy, right?
There's no question of Dempsey's quality, and I'm still in the camp that says he can be and is the best American player when he wants to be; but Deuce is clearly guilty of taking some time off during games, and disappears for long stretches. When he does attempt to make things happen, he often does too much, leading to bad turnovers and ruined momentum. I realize that I've put Dempsey in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation (just a little), but there is a happy medium that Clint finds more easily while wearing a Fulham than he does when wearing a USA one.
Because of that talent, and because the manager of the US National Team is not in any position to be choosy, Dempsey continues to start without any real sense that his position is under any threat. There aren't many players who can handle that situation without some kind of let up in their play; it's human nature to get complacent when pressure is non-existent. At Fulham, especially as he was forced to re-earn his place in the team after the arrival of Roy Hodgson, Dempsey is constantly playing for his job. With the Americans, that's not the case, and whether Clint is conscious of the problem or not is irrelevant as long as his performances continue to smack of periodic disinterest interspersed with moments of "I'm the best player on the field and I'm going to prove it."
Up to this point, Bob Bradley hasn't had the luxury of sitting Dempsey down. World Cup qualifying, especially with the Americans' inability to win on the road in Central America, is a tense affair fraught with little margin for error and even less opportunity to experiment. Without a proven player to plug into Dempsey's spot, Bradley has done what most managers would; play the best you have, regardless of consistency, and hope that the quality comes through more often than not.
As nice of an idea as it is, I'm skeptical of the affect Dempsey's inability to play will have on him. He's not being benched in favor of someone else, so the impetus to get back in the lineup and prove he should be there won't necessarily be there.. If it was to happen, it would take a masterful performance by his replacement (who I am guessing will be Stuart Holden); in that case, Dempsey may have just a tiny pang of fear that his spot could be lost, at least for the time being while Bradley goes with the "hot hand".
Pity then, that there are only two meaningful games left in 2009 for the US; by the time 2010 rolls around, and the preparations (fingers crossed) for South Africa are in full swing, Clint Dempsey might just step back into this usual spot on the right side of the American midfield, without having really taken anything out of his brief time on the bench.
The question is asked, and I've spent entirely too much time attempting to psycho-analyze Clint Dempsey. Besides, we won't know the answer until at least October 14th, Dempsey's next opportunity to play.
Thoughts? Will Dempsey get anything out of sitting this weekend?
Clint Dempsey has been ruled out of the upcoming US World Cup qualifier with Honduras due to a slight shoulder sprain picked up on the weekend while playing for his club side Fulham.
Dempsey left Fulham's match with West Ham in the 84th minute and underwent an MRI today. The injury makes unavailable on of Bob Bradley's regular starters, and creates a hole on the right side of midfield. While Dempsey's play for the US has been generally regarded as less than stellar in recent months, he was a fairly consistent contributor and provided several key goals over the course of the qualifying campaign.
Bob Bradley will need to choose a replacement for Dempsey out of a group of young midfielders that include Robbie Rogers, Jose Francisco Torres, and Stuart Holden. Holden has see the most first team time for the US recently, and would figure to be the man to step into Dempsey's position.
What do you make of the loss of Dempsey, and who do you think Bradley should start in his stead?
Last night in Foxboro, the United States salvaged a tie with Haiti thanks to a spectacular injury time goal by Stuart Holden. After what can only be described as an uneven performance for more than ninety minutes, it appeared that the Americans were about to lose to an island nation for the first time in recent memory.
Bradley's lineup against the Haitians was slightly more experimental than we've see to this point in the Gold Cup, and it certainly showed on the field. Other factors were at play, of course, and the artificial surface at Gillette Stadium seemed to have a distinct effect on play.
The US defense shaky of much of the match, and particularly poor on the two Haitian goals. Jay Heaps, who appeared to be a sentimental choice for his first cap with the match taking place in his club's home stadium, was too frequently out of his depth and unable to cope with the Haitian attack. Luis Robles, the young keeper many view as the future of the position, showed that he has much to learn. His positioning, particularly on Haiti's second goal, left a lot to be desired.
The bright spots for the US weren't numerous, but there were a few. Stuart Holden was the class of the American midfield all night, and was directly responsible for both US goals. He played a simple, but well-timed through ball for Davy Arnaud to open the scoring in the first half, then pulled the Yanks out of the fire with a magnificent injury time goal in the second. With a young and on-the-fringe team competing in the Gold Cup, it would appear that some of these players have a chance to play themselves onto the full "A" squad, or perhaps set themselves up for a realistic shot at next year's World Cup team. Holden may be doing both.
It's through to the quarterfinals for the Americans now, and the best guess is that Bob Bradley will be playing more of a best eleven from here on out in an effort to win the tournament. Holden will be in that group, Brian Ching is sure to start up top (as long as the surface is real grass), Charlie Davies may pair with him as long as he's still with the team (still wondering if he will be released in order to join his new club), Robbie Rogers will be on the wing, and a few of the defensive spots should be simple choices. But there's still a lot of inconsistency through this squad, and Bradley's job won't be easy.
While a loss last night against Haiti wouldn't have been the end of the world, it was good to see an American player step up and put the game on his shoulders.
Here's Holden's equalizer if you missed it:
