Stuart Holden has announced his retirement today from professional soccer in a story that he wrote for ussoccer.com (in which Holden also announces the birth of a daughter on February 1!): http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...nces-retirement-as-player-from-game-of-soccer His efforts for the US national team in his 25 caps included: -Holden started every match for the US in the unlucky 2008 Beijing Olympics. Notable moments for Holden were his winning goal against Japan and "the jump" against the Netherlands. -being the breakout star of the 2009 Gold Cup. Notable for the howitzer he launched to salvage a draw against Haiti. -played a key role as a sub and as Dempsey's replacement in the pivotal matches in the second half of the intense 2009 Hexagonal. -rushed back from the de Jong injury in 2010 for the World Cup, but because of his injury he had only a limited role with one appearance. -many injuries later, Holden was brought back to the team by Klinsmann in 2013. Despite played 5 out of 6 matches and earning a winner's medal, it ended in disappointment again. Holden scored against Belize. Best of luck to Holden!
If there's any justice, he'll be in the booth to do at least several LAG games this season. Revenge is becoming a pundit and getting the last word.
What could have been, yes. But to remember him for the excellent player he was, with the unmatched passion he has, is important.
I hope he does become a coach and a great coach at that. Stories like these really hit home even more so being Stu, such a likable dude and a great player. Wish him the best of luck hopefully we'll see him coaching in mls sometime soon one day.
man......we saw it coming I guess but still doesn't make it much easier. This generation's JOB. JOB, Gibbs, Holden, Simek (was coming into his own before horror injury). Probably missing a few guys here too I should be mentioning. Yeah, sure some guys had longer rides on the pine than others, and some of the injuries impacted them more significantly than others, but I think we can agree that those guys had their potential curtailed by significant injuries overall.
A companion piece from Jay DeMerit ... http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...y-demerit-letter-to-stu-holden-for-retirement
I was surprised when he let Jonny Evans off the hook for the inexcusably reckless tackle that effectively ended his career. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...hallenge-started-midfielders-injury-hell.html You are a better man than I, Stu. They say form is fleeting and class is permanent. One of the classiest human beings ever to wear the shirt.
Could have and should have been a game-changer off the bench in that World Cup. Wasn't, mostly because we had to waste a sub every game hauling the useless Findley off. One of Bradley's bigger screwups.
Not to debate that point here significantly, but it was prototypical American to have one pacey guy on the roster to stretch the D. No Chuck D? Heeeeeeerrrrrrreeeeeee's Robbie!!!!
Findley didn't play in every match. Of course, an informed poster such as yourself knew that. Or, in Stu Holden's words, he wasn't fully fit for the 2010 WC.
And in his defense Robbie did do that, he found some golden opportunities in the open. Now then, he just couldn't convert them.
2nd goal was a stunner. Hurts to hear the announcer say"bright future" in regards to Stu. Painful. Imagine what is must be like for ol' Stu, to have all that talent, and to be denied time and again despite his best efforts and indomitable spirit. The guy needs to write a book about life and hard knocks. What an amazing example of human spirit in the face of adversity though.
Whatever we think of him the guy played in a WC final 6 years ago and WC semi-final 2 years ago. He brings more personal international success than anyone in MLS right now with the exception of maybe Pirlo, but what has Italy done of late at the WC other than bomb out of 2010 and 2014 before the 2nd round? Granted they made the finals of the 2012 Euros, but got demolished. Granted he likes a crunching, bone breaking challenge from time to time, but you know, he may have come to the right league. Editted: David Villa may have a shout but has been out of the Spain team limelight for a few years. Didn't see the field (?was he even available) in 2012 Euros, and wasn't a factor at 2014 WC. He was a big part of their victory in 2010. So he may rival NDJ for personal international success.
How much of a butcher is this guy? Is he really out there injuring people on purpose? If so, I hope every MLS manager lets Bruce arena know that the first dangerous tackle, someone expendable is taking out Robbie Keane for the season.
He actually wouldn't be the worst in the history of the league (that award absolutely has to go to the long-retired Dema Kovalenko), but he's been among the biggest thugs in the Premier League for quite a while.