It almost seems as if the complete 2006-2007 Houston Dynamo roster has been engraved into our hearts. We look back at each player and regard them as some of the best players to have ever worn orange. Looking back at their success, who can even argue?

However, there are a few players that have stood out more than others. Some of them include Eddie Robinson, Brian Ching, Brad Davis, Pat Onstad, Craig Waibel, Dwayne DeRosario, and of course a young blond lad by the name of Stuart Holden.

Big Hopes, No Glory

Holden was quickly seen as a player that would go on to a successful career, either in Houston or elsewhere. He had already been to Europe once, playing for Sunderland before an unfortunate incident.

While at Sunderland, a club which he signed with in 2005 shortly after leaving college, he was part of an unfortunate incident. While at Newcastle, Holden was leaving a bar and was the victim of an attack simply for being a Sunderland player. He suffered his first, but not last, major injury as a professional.

His left eye socket was fractured, and he had to stop training with the team for two months. Shortly after returning he picked up yet another injury, but this time it was an ankle injury. This sidelined him for the rest of the season.

This would also not mark the last time that Holden suffered back-to-back injuries so quickly. Holden was let go after only six months and without ever starting a game for the first team. He returned to the United States in worse shape than he had left it.

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When Holden returned to Houston, the Dynamo were just about to be established so he decided to try his luck in his hometown. Even though, he had been born in Scotland he grew up in Sugarland. While in Houston his career began to blossom into something special.

In the Houston Dynamo’s inaugural season he was used mainly as a substitute, but an important one that was called off the bench 13 times. He scored his first goal only two months after making his debut.

Holden was also used throughout Houston’s MLS Cup run, and even in the final as a substitute. He shot and scored the second penalty in the shootout that would lead Houston to their first MLS Cup.

All of this was leading to him being an important part of Houston’s 2007 season, and he got his chance playing a total of 22 games. He started in 10 of those mostly due to a Brad Davis injury.

It is due to that Brad Davis injury that Stuart Holden got the chance to showcase his talent to the nation. Replacing an integral part of a championship defending team is never an easy task.

However, Holden proved that he was up to the challenge. In 2007, he appeared in 22 games, started in 10 of those, scored 5 goals and notched another 5 assists. By the end of the season he had played over 1000 minutes, and had been a part of yet another championship winning team.

…[Holden] was offered what was rumored to be a $350,000 per season contract, while also becoming the face of the team.

2008 was another season that was a benchmark year for Stuart Holden. The Houston Dynamo were featured in 32 games, Holden played in 27 of those and started in 10. Even though, Houston did not win another MLS Cup, Holden was quickly turning heads and grabbing the spotlight as a talented up and coming player in the United States.

It could be easily be seen that Stuart Holden was only improving each and every season. Why would 2009 be any different? Not only was he showcased in more by playing in 26 games, but he also started in all 26 of those.

This also marked the year in which he was first called up to the United States’ Men’s National team at the senior level. He was part of the roster called up after the Confederations’ Cup that made up the 2009 Gold Cup squad.

Holden went on to have an outstanding 2009 Gold Cup. He not only scored in the first game against Grenada, but also in the third group game against Haiti. Holden was later named as one of the best players of the tournament.

He returned to his club with confidence, and knew that he had a few months to keep on working hard. As he was in his final year of his contract with the Houston Dynamo.

As the season came to a close, Stuart Holden had a choice to make. He could either stay in Houston or leave to Europe. In Houston, he was offered what was rumored to be a $350,000 per season contract, while also becoming the face of the team. Not to mention, Major League Soccer would also use him an ambassador of the sport.

Stuart decided that his time in the United States had come to an end and signed with Bolton Wanderers of the English Premier League.

Another Shot in Europe

Stuart Holden was signed for Bolton in early 2010, after having turned down, what at the time was an historic, contract in Major League Soccer. He went on to have a mediocre showing the what was Bolton’s second half of the 2009-10 season.

Shortly after being signed by Bolton, Holden was involved in a hard tackle with Nigel de Jong. This took place in a friendly between the United States and Netherlands, which sidelined him for 6 weeks, but most importantly put his hopes in danger of making it to the 2010 World Cup.

However, his meteoric could not be ignored and after returning from injury, as he was named to the 2010 World Cup roster for the United States. Even though, he wouldn’t play many minutes and would only be used as a substitute in the group game against England. Fans everywhere saw him as a rising start for the national team, and one that could lead a new generation to higher heights.

When Holden returned, even though he had only played in 3 games during the 2009-2010 season, one of those an FA Cup game. His luck would change for the best when the 2010-11 season began. Holden began the season as an integral part of the team, and performed so well that his contract was extended in September, less than a year after joining the team, and only a month into the new season.

This contract extension would have him stay in Bolton until at least 2013. Holden quickly repaid the Wanderers by becoming a force to be reckoned with. Not only were his performances seen as one of the main reasons why Bolton stayed away from the relegation zone.

Stuart also helped the team reach 7th place in the very competitive English Premier League. Not to mention becoming an integral part of a string of performances that led them to the FA Cup Semi-Finals.

It almost seemed as if Stuart Holden was the future of American soccer. He was having outstanding performances, and was leading an EPL team to heights they could not even imagine. Then it happened…

Jul 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; USA forward Eddie Johnson (26) celebrates a goal in the first half with Stuart Holden (11) against Honduras at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

In a game against Manchester United Jonny Evans hit Holden with a scary looking slide tackle, that was so bad it opened up a deep gash. However, that wasn’t the only damage done. Holden’s femur had been broken. He would miss the rest of the season.

Bolton was left without their star, and was soon eliminated from the FA Cup while also sinking all the way to 14th place. Even though, Holden missed the rest of the season starting around March, he was still voted the young player for 2011 Bolton Wanderers campaign.

No “Holden” Back

After a long and painful rehabilitation process, Stuart Holden was ready to return to the pitch after being out for half a year. He would do so against Aston Villa in a League Cup game.

However, as his luck would have it, during a regular check-up, he was shown to have cartilage damage. This was initially seen as something that would have Holden miss an additional 6 weeks.

Sadly, during an operation to fix the cartilage damage, it was found out that the damage was even worse than initially thought. Specialists ended up ruling him out for another six months, and it seemed as if Holden was being held back by a greater power.

As Holden battled his way back, Bolton was relegated to the Championship League, and now it seemed as if Holden’s English Premier League’s dreams were being cut short by forces not of his control. His contract still had him at Bolton until 2013, which would mean his return would not be to the Premier League, but instead to the Championship.

On January 15, 2013, Stuart Holden finally made his triumphant return to the Bolton Wanderer’s first team. He ended up playing the full 90 minutes in an FA Cup match against the club his tragedy began, Sunderland.

Jul 16, 2013; Hartford, CT, USA; Costa Rica midfield Kenny Cunningham (8) has words with USA midfield Stuart Holden ( 11) during the first half at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

After a couple of months, Holden was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday in order to regain his form after being out for over 15 months. He ended up playing from March until the end of 2012-2013 season for them. It seemed as if he was finally being given the chance by destiny that he truly deserved.

All of this led to Stuart Holden being named to the United States’ roster for the 2013 Gold Cup. He was not only back playing at the club level, but would also being in an international tournament.

Stuart Holden had a great Gold Cup. He came on as a substitute in the first group game against Belize and ended up scoring in a 6-1 beating by the United States. Holden ended up starting the next two group stage games, and was at times seen as one of the best players on the squad.

It almost seemed as if Holden would get finally lead the charge of the current generation of United States’ stars. Even though, he ended up sitting out the quarter-finals match against El Salvador. Holden made his return to the starting 11 in the semi-final against Honduras.

His semi-final performance was good enough to earn him a starting spot in the Gold Cup final against Panama. This tournament seemed to be marking Stuart Holden’s rebirth.

However, as should be expected by now, this story does not have a happy ending. In the 23rd minute of the final, Stuart Holden was re-injured and had to be substituted out. As soon as he went down, everybody, myself included, feared for the worst. The expression of pain on his face, and the sadness that quickly engulfed him was a sign that this was a serious injury.

Stuart Holden had been sidelined yet again. This time his return would no be until the early part of 2014. When he returned for a reserve match against Everton. However, yet another knock forced him out of the game, and it scans showed that his knee would require surgery. Holden would be out for yet another 6-9 months.

Maybe in an alternate universe, Stuart Holden decided to stay in Major League Soccer and become the poster child for not only his city but the league.

Bolton Wanderers have been nothing but supportive of Stuart Holden during his constant battle with injuries. They even extended his contract, so he would have a place to return. They’re even footing the bill for the constant rehabilitation that Stuart Holden has gone through. As of the writing of this article, Holden’s latest appearance was an analyst during NBC Sport’s Premier League kick-off.

Once regarded as a player capable of filling Landon Donovan’s boots in the United States’ national team. He’s not even capable of suiting up as Donovan hangs up his boots and retires. It seems as if Stuart Holden was a bright star whose body and bad luck never gave a chance to shine.

Nobody knows for sure whether he will ever return to the pitch and suit up again. His 6-9 month prognosis is quickly coming to an end, and he seems closer to becoming a commentator for a soccer show than to returning to playing field.

However, if any player is capable of fighting back from yet another injury, one has to think it is Stuart Holden. His will cannot be doubted, and the only tragedy is that his body is holding him back.

Even if he never returns to the pitch or lives up those early hopes of becoming the next American star. Houston Dynamo fans will always have the memories of him suiting up in orange. During his injuries, he’s made a few returns to Houston Dynamo games as a special guest, and he’s been greeted with applause and admiration by the fans.

Maybe just maybe in an alternate universe, Stuart Holden decided to stay in Major League Soccer and become the poster child for not only his city but the league. If he had stayed, Jonny Evans wouldn’t have started this endless cycle of injuries, and Holden’s European curse wouldn’t have lived past that one stint at Sunderland.