We Won't Be Seeing Holden (at right) This Summer Against Mexico For Sure

When I saw the tackle, I leaped out off my couch and said "Oh, no!" I knew Jonny Davis' studs up tackle on Bolton (and, more importantly, U.S.) midfielder Stuart Holden was bad. Holden immediately grabbed his leg and you could see blood coming out of it. I feared it was a compound fracture, as players from both sides motioned to the bench for the trainers to come out. Several players went to check on him, and others walked away. As it turns out, it wasn't a break, but the gash was so deep that it required 26 stitches and some ligament or tendon damage. News this morning from a variety of sources said he will be out six months. So much for the Gold Cup in June.

It's another disappointment for Holden, who has arguably been the most improved U.S. player in the past two years. After missing most of last year's World Cup due to a broken leg suffered in an exhibition against Netherlands just two months before that tournament, Holden will now miss the 2nd most important tournament for the U.S. Most observers also had him figured as an important player in the country's international exhibitions next week against Argentina and Paraguay, as most of us were curious to see just how Bob Bradley planned to use him in the starting 11.

Obviously, the health of the player is most important. He has an unbelievable drive and determination, but hopefully the training staff at Bolton will convince him to take it slow, as this is the 2nd significant injury he's suffered in a year. I spoke with Walsh briefly on Saturday, and we both agree that Holden needs to take some serious thought into toning his intensity on the field down just a peg. While he can still be a hard-nosed, gritty player, and now has added a bit of flair and style to his play, his smaller frame won't be able to take the pounding against the bigger players so prominent in the EPL.

At this rate, he could go the route of John O'Brian, who at one point was on track to be the best midfielder the U.S. has ever produced. But a series of knee, leg, and ankle injuries shortened his career by several years. That would be a real disappointment for a player who is one of the better success stories U.S. soccer has seen in quite some time.

In other news:

Hold onto your hats, DC United fans, you might have a good team. Yes, it's only one game, and it was against what is probably going to be a REALLY bad Columbus squad, but United looked better than they have the past two years in front of a raucous crowd at RFK Saturday night. They dominated the midfield (something they haven't done in about 50 games) thanks to newcomer Dax McCarthy and a rejuvenated Clyde Simms. Perry Kitchen looked a little hesitant at times but has all the makings of a stud defender. Josh Wolff looked as good as he has in years (love the "RFK Leap" Josh. You instantly became a fan favorite with that move), and Charlies Davies? Well, what can you say? Still has a bit of a way to go as far as physical fitness, but you could tell he was mentally ready to go by taking the spot kick and putting United up by two. His emotional post-game interview with Russ Thaler on Comcast was genuine. And as I've heard from multiple sources who cover this team on a regular basis, these guys WANT to play for Ben Olsen. He might not be an X's and O's kind of coach (neither is Bruce Arena), but player management is probably the biggest trait a coach must have to keep the team focused and energized. Looks like he has it.

Oh, and in case you forgot, Walsh and I both campaigned for Olsen to get the job last year even after Kevin Payne said it was only temporary. So how you like us now?

1st MLS Weekend - Some good stuff overall. Plenty of goals, and some larger than expected crowds pushed the average attendance over 20,000 for the week. And remember, that includes an L.A. Galaxy home game where the rain was so bad it probably kept at least 1/3 of the fans away. I expect the overall attendance crowds to stay high once Portland and Vancouver start their home schedules. I even bought the MLS Direct Kick package for the 1st time in 3 years as well, as I expect this to be a big year for the league, and with the debut of the new USL Pro league, a big year for soccer in general in the U.S. and Canada.

EPL - Mixed feelings about United's win. Glad for the 3 points but bummed about Evan's tackle on Holden. I don't think it was a dirty tackle, but one that got a deserved red. Again, though, United fights through the adversity to get the win. This team is as good with 10 as almost every other team that fields 11.

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan should be thoroughly disgusted with his team's performance yesterday against Chelsea, and deservedly so. How a team trying to earn a spot in the Champions League can turn in such a terrible showing yesterday is baffling. Yes, Tevez was out of the lineup, but is he the only offensive weapon City has? I'm not taking anything away from a Chelsea team that dominated pretty much from start to finish, but at times City couldn't even get the ball past midfield. A 2-0 loss was kind.

And on a final note for the week, so much for VCU not belonging in the NCAA tournament...