There’s a lot of “What ifs” when it comes to retiring USMNT midfielder Stuart Holden, but his class will never be up for debate.
One of the most talented and intelligent players to don the U.S. kit, the snake-bitten 30-year-old has called it quits on his playing career, a decision that coincides with the birth of his first child.
Holden went to Clemson before signing with Sunderland, though he’d never appear for the Black Cats. He went back to Houston, where he helped the Dynamo winning the MLS Cup Final in 2006 and 2007.
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FILE - In this July 9, 2013, file photo, the United States’ Stuart Holden celebrates his second half goal against Belize during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Ore. The U.S. midfielder, who has fought a severe knee injury for two and a half years, finally got in a full 90 minutes for the first time since September 2011 when the United States beat Costa Rica 1-0 in a Gold Cup match on July 16. (AP Photo/The Oregonian, Thomas Boyd, File) MAGS OUT; TV OUT; LOCAL TV OUT; LOCAL INTERNET OUT; THE MERCURY OUT; WILLAMETTE WEEK OUT; PAMPLIN MEDIA GROUP OUT
AP
In 2009, the midfielder was off to Bolton, where he broke out during his sophomore season with 30 appearances and two goals. He won club Player of the Year honors that year. He also made his bones with the U.S., and he earned 17 caps and two goals during the next two seasons.
Leg injuries were the name of the game for Holden after that, and he’d make just nine club appearances between Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday over the next three seasons. A revival with the U.S. saw him play 8 times with one goal in 2013, though he tore his ACL in that year’s Gold Cup.
Jonny Evans and Nigel De Jong are names that have been linked with Holden, given their awkward at-best tackles twice broke his leg.
In announcing his retirement, Holden took to USSoccer.com to share three keys to life: Be proud, be thanful and smile at the future:
All the best to you and your family, Stu. You’re one the classiest players to ever represent the U.S., on and off the field.
