Posts Tagged ‘Stuart Holden’

News in brief

THU Sept. 8 (AM): Holden, Qatar, MLS, and More

Stuart Holden seems to be progressing well. His latest effort – in a penalty shootout win for Bolton’s reserve side – saw the midfielder play 65 minutes while Owen Coyle watched from the bench. Someone else was there too.

Holden speaks here.

Have $220 billion? No? Nor I. But Qatar does, and they’ll be using it to prepare for the 2022 World Cup. $50 billion will go towards creating a new city. I suppose they ARE building these.

For only the fifth time in league history, a team has battled back from three goals down. Philadelphia scored three second half goals to settle for a 4-4 draw with New England. Highlights here. Philly’s coach still wasn’t pleased.

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News in brief

WED. Aug 31 (PM): Transfers Deadline, Holden’s Back, and Bradley

The most exiting day for soccer fans when the best match is a Carling Cup match between Leyton Orient and Bristol Rovers is almost over. With money, players, and agents busy traveling across Europe here are some of today biggest transfers. By the way Leyton would go on to win the match 3-2 with a goal by Stephen Dawson in the 90th minute.

Arsenal spent the day trying to improve their squad signing Per Mertesacker, Andre Santos, Yossi Benayoun, and Mikel Arteta. The new players for Arsenal will be much needed help for a club that is struggling. The question will still remain if they are good enough to help Arsene Wenger keep his job.

Craig Bellamy is heading back to Liverpool, and Raul Meireles is leaving Liverpool to play for Chelsea. 

A smart move for Michael Bradley with the American midfielder moving to play for Chievo. Serie A should be a perfect fit for Bradley’s talents.

The strangest transfer of the day goes to Manchester City signing Owen Hargreaves.

Stuart Holden returned to action playing for the Bolton reserves after his horrific knee injury. It will be good to see Holden  wearing the USA kit soon.

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10 Kit Essay, United States

Five Wishes for the USMNT this European Season

ANTHONY MANNINO-The first wish for most US fans has been granted with Bob Bradley getting the axe and some famous German fellow named Jürgen “I love the umlaut” Klinsmann. Next up would be Claudio Renya and Klinsmann’s plans to fix the US youth system actually being follwed, and I would have to add actually working. But still that wish is for the furture and what is now is the beginning of the European football. Finally, it is here and now here are a few wishes that will hopefully happen for the USMNT.   (more…)

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News in brief

MON Apr. 18 (AM): Henry, Bolton, CCL, MLS, EPL,

Things Fernando Torres and Thierry Henry have in common? Fame, fortune, and goal droughts. At least until Saturday night. While the Spanish striker continues to struggle to find the back of the net for Chelsea, Henry ended his frustration for the Red Bulls, scoring in the 87th minute to send New York to a 3-0 victory over San Jose. Bulls boss Hans Backe believes it to be Henry’s finest performance yet for the club.

Stuart Holden or not, Bolton Wanderers will be headed to Houston this summer to take on the Dynamo in the Dynamo Charities Cup. For now, however, Bolton are focused on apologizing to fans for the 5-0 thrashing suffered to Stoke in the FA Cup semifinal.

Real Salt Lake has arrived in Monterrey, Mexico ahead of Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League Final first-leg (10:00 PM ET). The early arrival will help Jason Kreis’ side prepare for heat and humidity – two elements the team rarely faces in the friendly confines of Rio Tinto stadium.

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News in brief

TUES March 22 (PM): Dani Alves, John Terry, Stu Holden and MLS

Dani Alves renewed his commitment to Barcelona by inking a three-year extension, putting to rest months of speculation over his future. The Brazilian will now be with the club until June of 2015.

Manchester United’s Jonny Evans, who committed the tackle that will sideline Stuart Holden for six months,  called to apologize to the U.S. international.

John Terry is on the path to redemption, according to Martin Rogers.

Around Major League Soccer, Juhinho is looking pretty good for the Galaxy, Jamie Smith proved his worth in the middle for the Rapids this weekend and Simon Dawkins could be the Earthquake’s next rising star.

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United States

Holden Loss a Huge Blow for U.S.

BRENT LATHAM – For 77 minutes on Sunday, while I watched the Man U – Bolton match, this Monday morning article was going to be about how Stuart Holden had to start in the central midfield against Argentina (alongside Jermaine Jones).

The U.S. had two central midfielders with a lock on starting positions in the Premiere League, and things were looking, well, real good for this summer’s Gold Cup. Indeed, this team is almost certainly the most talented ever to be assembled for the U.S., and while the 2010 World Cup came a little too soon, and the 2014 World Cup may come a little late for this group, 2011 seemed just right.

Then disaster struck. (more…)

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United States

Dominance in the Middle

ANTHONY MANNINO- Last week, Brent pondered the questions of whether or not Mexicans are starting to dominate as the main exports from North America for European soccer.  I, for one, agree with Brent that Americans are still above Mexico in exports to European soccer. The American dominance can be found in the midfield.

Over the past year, four American midfielders have been starters for a Premier League club and have played significant time. The players Clint Dempsey, Stuart Holden, Jermaine Jones, and Landon Donovan all made their presence known. Although Donovan currently is no longer with Everton, he was an integral part of the team.

That means over the past year these Americans have played a significant amount of playing time for their respective clubs, something Mexico fans cannot say. Even if you do not want to count Donovan, Michael Bradley is currently with Aston Villa. Also, Jonathan Spector  has made an impact for West Ham since he moved from defense to the midfield.

This is positive news for US to show how far soccer has started to grow in recent years. One thing that has caught my eye is how easily both Stuart Holden and Jermaine Jones were able to win starting jobs. Usually Americans have had to slowly work their way into the starting lineup the way Dempsey has done numerous times. (more…)

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News in brief

WED Mar. 9 (AM): Champions League, Rankings, Holden, and MLS

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger and midfielder Samir Nasri have both been charged by UEFA following comments made during a heated exchange with Massimo Busacca following Barcelona’s 3-1 Champions League victory. The debate stems from the decision to show Robin van Persie a second yellow for shooting on goal just one second after Busacca whistled for offsides and amid the roars of 95,000 spectators at the Camp Nou.

Xavi, however, supported Busacca and has openly questioned Arsenal’s tactics, which failed to muster a single shot on goal. Javier Mascherano also voiced his opinion.

FIFA’s latest rankings are out, with the top three unchanged. Argentina has moved ahead of Brazil for fourth in the monthly rankings, and the US dropped on place to 19th, eight spots ahead of rival Mexico.

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United States

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

ANTHONY MANNINO- The influx of young talent in Men’s National team pool with the likes of Sebastian Lletget, Juan Agudelo, Tim Ream, and Gale Agbossoumonde poses the question: what is the best way for American players to develop? Should they stay in the MLS for a few extra years or should they make the jump over the pond for European football?

This is a hard decision for a young athlete; on the one hand, moving to Europe means an increase in pay, but a move could also mean a decrease in playing time. The key for a young player to develop is playing time; a player sitting on the bench for a year is not going to improve. Also, there is the added pressure that comes with playing in Europe that can affect young players. (more…)

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News in brief

MON Feb. 14 (AM): On Ronaldo, Davies, Americans Abroad, EPL, and Champs

Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, or just Ronaldo to most, has retired. The three-time FIFA player of the year and the World Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer, currently with Corinthians in Brazil, brings an end to a remarkable career.

Another encouraging display by Charlie Davies saw the striker record two goals and an assist in 45 minutes of action as DC United finished up their Florida training camp with a 4-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago’s U-20′s.

Stuart Holden may have had his third Premiership goal taken away, but the American midfielder provided an assist and went the full ninety in Bolton’s 2-0 win over Tim Howard and Everton. Highlights after the break:

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