There may be no American soccer player enjoying a better run of form these days than Stuart Holden.
The U.S. national team midfielder has found a home at Bolton and has helped the club exceed expectations this season. Holden has also surpassed expectations, commanding a place in central midfield for a team currently sitting in sixth place in the Premier League.
I had the chance to speak to Holden recently and wrote a feature on him for Fox Soccer. We discuss everything from his success at Bolton, his role with the U.S. national team and even his reunion with Nigel DeJong, the player who broke his leg nine months ago.
Here are some more of Holden's thoughts on subjects ranging from his time in MLS to where he would prefer to play with the U.S. national team:
On how playing in MLS prepared him for Europe
I talk to a number of younger players who are coming up for the U.S. and I tell them that, for some players, it’s right to go to Europe and really try to make a name for yourself and push and learn from older players. But for some other players, like myself, it was invaluable the experience of playing in MLS. The first year (in Houston) I sat behind Dwayne (DeRosario) and Ricardo (Clark) and that was tough for me, but the last couple of years I got a good number of minutes and that helped me.
Looking back, Mick McCarthy, who I played for at Sunderland, he says I was a completely different player to how I was at 19 at Sunderland. I put that down to my experience in MLS, and growing as a player and playing games. Ultimately, training only does so much for you and I think sometimes young players underestimate the value of playing games and playing games at a good level. There’s a lot of good players in MLS and it’s definitely a league that is growing.
On Bolton's success this year and the Trotters' great team spirit
First and foremost that’s down to the players, but then there’s only so much you can express if the coach allows it. Our coach is the first one pulling a prank, and our assistant manager is always joking and pulling pranks on players. Little things that keep the mood light in the locker room and keep everyone happy and enjoying their football. Once we’re on the training field everybody works hard and on Saturday you have that team spirit.
I look forward to going into training every day because it’s fun being around the guys and training is fun. It’s competitive and fast paced. I’m not only enjoying my football on the field, but being a part of the team off the field. As many people know, I don’t mind a joke myself so for me it’s really been a perfect fit.
On Nigel DeJong
When we played City I was wanting to play and I had the thigh injury and the guys were giving me a hard time saying I was scared of DeJong. It’s the way he plays. It’s at times reckless, and at times he wins a lot of balls for his teams.
If I see him again I’ll say hello. We’ve moved past that. People were trying to stir the pot (at the recent charity event he and DeJong attended) but it didn’t really get going.
On where he prefers to play for the U.S. national team
First and foremost, I want to be on the field. I’d prefer to play in the middle but I’m comfortable playing out wide at the same time. I know that with the national team we have the likes of Jermaine (Jones) and Michael Bradley has done well. We have Benny (Feilhaber), Jose Torres and Sacha (Kljestan), and Maurice (Edu).
Midfield is our strongest position, and with the exciting players we have I'll be happy just to be a part of it.
I reacted to the insult, which is always a poor way to enter a discussion. b apparently a little version of B, which means it’s Little Bradley. That’s right, Michael Bradley is responding to posts on Ive’s site. I’m over it now.
Anyway, I generally agree with what you are saying, adding only that we should give Holden the attacking role. He’s sort of Donovanesque on attack with Bolton (and was so with the Dynamo too). He’s good when he attacks from deeper positions with his face toward the opposing goal. One run of good form does not make him a lock, but considering his relative youth when compared to Donovan and Dempsey, he is likely to be one of the more dynamic pieces of the puzzle for Brazil.
You’ve really lost me now. Are not holding/defensive midfielders actually midfielders? Check your math. Holden, Dempsey, Donovan, Bradley/Edu, Jones…that’s five.
I’m not a big Edu cheerleader, but he was effective and scored as many WCup goals as Bradley (but for the worst officiating call of the tournament). Also he might have had more opportunities to showcase his talent without the Gooch replacement fiasco. Remember that?
Your reliance on insult as a debate tactic is matched only by over-reliance on your self-assured beliefs. Quite obviously I am being facetious in my comment. Too stupid to recognize this?
Despite your overly simplistic snapshot assessment, which demonstrates your soccer ignorance, USMNT has glut of midfielders, period. With consideration of players like Holden and others in the pipeline for WCup 2014 (WHICH SHOULD BE USMNT FOCUS, BTW)I hope Big Bob keeps his options open, to include as it may pertain to his son, whose team is stinking it up in the Bundesliga so far this year. With Dempsey serving as a hybrid (not quite the speedy striker, yet more effective when playing from forward positions) Bradley could consider a 4-2-2-1-1, with options at holding and wide midfielders.
So, yes, if we were playing in a WCup next week, your list would matter. Since we are not, your second paragraph is irrelevant and non-responsive to my comment or the original post. Holden is riding a waive of success, F.Footballer suggested a 4-5-1 so that Holden could be utilized at center. I joked about the glut of midfielders, which is a good problem to have, and all you have to say is that you like Tim Howard in goal. I don’t get it.
my thoughts exactly. makes the most sense.
that doesn’t even make sense. try jones out wide with a 3 man center midfield? so you’re just playing with one wing, and the player you choose to put there is a defensive midfielder? sounds like you’ve been hanging out with steve sampson too much.
Whoa somebody hit a nerve, eh? Nobody seems to bring up such emotional responses like MB. In my opinion, exactly nobody should have a ‘locked up’ starting position. We are starting a new 4-yr cycle. My opinion for Gold Cup, which isn’t worth much, is trying Jones out wide, 3man centermid with Holden, Bradley, Edu. Donovan, Dempsey up top. Fill in the rest depending on form.