Had little hope for OBrien or Gibbs ever returning to form. Never even considered it for Davies. For some reason I think this guy can do it. Don't know why...just do. The guy just makes u believe.
From the interviews he's given, Holden seems to be unflappable in his resolve to return to past form. He definitely has the patience of a saint or possibly Buddha.
Gibbs and especially O'Brien were naturally injury-prone; you kind of knew they were going to get reinjured. Holden is actually quite sturdy, which would seem to bode well. But it's all a question of how much mobility/speed/quickness the injury cost him, and at the moment we just don't know.
Here's hoping the old adage about non-contact injuries being more serious in the long term holds true. Tough way to prove it though....
It took Jones 3 years to return to as close as possible to the dominating form he had in (2008/2009), which he is somewhat showing right now in the (2012/2013 season) with the assists and goals he is now getting.
Holden is a seemingly nice and likeable guy which makes most root for his return. Also, he is a positive and determined guy which makes people feel the same way about his return. I hope he can return.
Stu would definitely be in the running for "most likeable" major American player since 1994 and the age of MLS. In fact, off the top of my head, he'd probably get my vote. (Edit: Or at least give Frankie Hejduk a damn good run for his money.) And after his playing days are over (and I hope that's not for a number of years yet), his personality is going to be an asset to him if he chooses to stay in soccer, whether as a manager, a pundit, an administrator, whatever. He has a definite talent for attracting fans and getting people on his side, and that's an excellent talent to have. (In fact, come to think of it, it's a talent not unlike that of our current USMNT manager...)
I don't disagree but the mayor of Hanover deserves honorable mention for the great love they have for him.
We are after all talking about a Scot Texan! Stuie will return to EPL starter. He doesn't know how to be any other way.
Best of luck to Stu. Hope he gets well and can have a nice career. Asking any more is not impossible, but may be wishful thinking. Holden's attitude and desire are top class, but I doubt O'Brien's (or Gibbs's) attitude or desire is what held them back. At some point, the body is just a little different after a long term injury, and that small margin can be critical to professional athletes. So I am hoping for, but not expecting, a major contribution to the Nats from Stu.
Reserve game confirmed for next week: http://www.lionofviennasuite.com/20...tu-holden-reserve-game-bolton-wanderers-usmnt
Holden played for 60 minutes today! Hopefully all is well and he is on the way back. Poor Bolton has had so many injured players from last year and into this season.
God they lost Wheater, Stu, and Davies? No wonder they aren't doing well. Wasn't Lee Chung-Yong out for an extended period as well?
wow...unbelievable...something idk what it is, tells me we're going to see Holden in a USMNT jersey in the Gold Cup...even if he's just 75% of what he was before (who knows if he recovered properly he could be 95%) he still gets a spot come Rio
Holden has a solid chance at returning because his skills weren't based around his athleticism. I think everyone (himself, trainers, doctors, manager) are in no rush to get him on the field. This seems to be a story of everyone taking their time to make sure it's right. Shanahan should've approached the RGIII situation in the same way. I think if Holden is showing the same form, or that he is progressing toward his old form, that he'll get a call up for GC.
I gotta say, seeing them side-by-side, they're a lot more similar than people would have you think...