In The News: Stuart Holden, Charlie Davies, Jonathan Spector, and More

March 2nd, 2010 | by: Jen |

stuholden

Stuart Holden impressed in last weekend’s game with English Premiere League’s Bolton Wanderers. Bolton manager Owen Coyle hopes Holden will have the same affect on the team as Landon Donovan has at Everton:

Owen Coyle reckons his own transatlantic purchase can have similar resuscitating effects to those which Landon Donovan’s arrival has had on Everton’s season. Against Wolves on Saturday, Premier League debutant Stuart Holden showed glimpses of the stellar quality which has earned him a dozen international caps with the United States.

Now, I respect Stuart Holden, but he is no Landon Donovan. Still, his experience and playing time in the EPL can only benefit the USMNT as we approach the World Cup. We’ll see if Holden can continue the high he experienced last weekend into Wednesday’s match against The Netherlands.

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Charlie Davies continues to rehab with his French club Sochaux after receiving a final operation on his elbow last month. But does Bob Bradley foresee Davies making the World Cup squad this summer?

“The most important thing that you get when you hear Charlie talk is the positive attitude that he has, the determination that he has,” Bradley said. “It shows up in his rehab, it shows up just in terms of his new attitude on a lot of things. I think that when you have that kind of mentality, that kind of attitude, you always have a chance.”

We’ll know more as Charlie’s rehab progresses. Right now it looks like the best we can expect is that he will be fit and in form to make the squad as a 70th minute substitute for whoever is paired with Jozy Altidore. I hope he can make it that far, and I hope he proves me wrong and becomes a viable starter.

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Grant Wahl sat down with USMNT defender Jonathan Spector to discuss his play with West Ham United and his hopes for the USMNT. You have to assume that Spector has a good shot at making the line up against Group C powerhouse England in the U.S.’s opening match of the 2010 World Cup. He is in coach Bob Bradley’s squad for tomorrow’s friendly against the Dutch. Most are predicting he will start out as a sub for the match, but I expect to see him on the field at some point.

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And finally, there’s Jonathan Bornstein. Most U.S. fans are split in their opinions of the left back, namely because of his inconsistent play. When he’s on, he’s on fire, but when he is off, his play is laughable. However, you can’t discount his commitment to the team both on a off the field. In last week’s match against El Salvador he looked as if he would cry if ES’s forwards beat him up the flank. Thankfully he turned in a decent performance and is on the roster for tomorrow’s match against the Dutch.

What does Bornstein think of his chances to make the World Cup squad? From his interview with Soccer365:

“Honestly, I try not to think about it too much,” he told Soccer365. “if I get my hopes up, ya know, you kinda get ahead of yourself and maybe don’t play well or live up to your potential. In the back of my head, I know that I’ve wanted this for a long time. It was my dream as a kid every time I watched a World Cup game; to inevitably play in one.”

I like his attitude. It’s realistic. I hope he can perform consistently and make the squad. I’ll never forget that header on October 14th. I was fortunate enough to be there.

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marc

Thanks for the news updates. I saw over at the US Soccer blog that Jermain Jones (http://www.jermaine-jones.de/) has joined the U.S. training camp in the Netherlands. I believe he’s recovering from an injury so won’t be training or playing with the U.S. against the Dutch, but does anybody have a realistic take on his shot at being a part of the team that goes to SA? (He played a little bit for the German national team, but has opted to play for the U.S. now, and has FIFA’s blessing… uh, I mean, approval.) I’m thinking that if Bradley is bringing him in to meet the team, he must have plans to get Jones involved. I also think the U.S. needs some old players threatening to come out of national team retirement (”Bring back McBride! Bring back McBride!”).
SP

i dont think coyle is too far off in saying holden can have a similar IMPACT. that doesnt necessarily mean that he is as good as donovan, just that, since donovan is one of the top everton players now and holden has a chance to become of bolton’s top performers, they can have that similar effect.

you have to understand that everton are aiming for the europa league while bolton are avoiding relegation, so we know enough about holden to know that he can perform well in the crucial 6-point relegation battles.
SP

also, i know its castrol, but their page has me way too optimistic. http://www.castrolfootball.com/predictor/opponentpredictor/?team=201

now, if we can only manage to finish above england…
Tom

As a Galaxy season ticket holder and huge fan of National Team I have seen a huge amount of Donovan and a fair amount of Holden. Donovan’s miss for Everton and his miss in penalties at the end of the MLS championship are consistent with his performance. Great at times but never all the way through a game. Just disappears at times. Holden has even more potential and was everywhere in his man of the match performance in the MLS playoffs. Holden should be playing in Bradley’s position for the nats imho.
http://usa.worldcupblog.org Jen

Ah yes SP. That would be the best scenario, to defeat England and finish first in our group. That way we aren’t necessarily screwed until the semi-final. If we don’t win the group it will take a herculean effort to upset Germany, then Argentina, then Spain, and play Brazil in the final.

Marc, I haven’t heard what his plans with Jones are — perhaps one of the other guys/gals will chime in. But I feel the same as you, that he must be considering how he may fit into the team if he’s bringing him in at this point. Charlie Davies made a fast and furious impression on Bradley last year, maybe Jones will do the same?