Former USMNT player worried about team progress ahead of the World Cup
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Former USMNT player Stu Holden has identified one of the major issues that teams need to grasp before the World Cup begins next year.
Holden, 39, said the team needs to know which players are on the field.
“I think the biggest problem with USMNT is getting it to figure out that on June 12, 2026, the 11 guys in the field are 11 who can inspire people and get results. World Cup Holden told Fox News Digital.
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He chases Panama player Roberto Chen (23) and ball at the 2013 Gold Cup Championship Game held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on July 28, 2013. (Jerry Lane’
“That’s the goal of development, and I think the amount of investment we’ve invested in the game in this country means we’ve never seen anything we think we’re going to do anything we’ve never done before.”
“It’s about this group that not only makes us believe, but we make ourselves believe in ourselves by getting results and building momentum towards the moment. So when they come out into that field, they know they can get the job done.”
The US was knocked out in 16 rounds at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One of the USMNTs must determine the 11 players for the World Cup.
However, USMNT’s best player Christian Purisik has not played in the Gold Cup. Holden said it was a big deal.
“I think that’s a big deal because whenever the US national team is playing, I want the best 23, 11, so American players play in those fields at those moments.
Former professional soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Stuart Holden and his wife, Caralin Holden, will be taking photos of the red carpet for the “one year” of the FIFA World Cup 26 event at the Fox Studios Lott, held on June 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Jessica Alcheh-Immagn image)
“And it’s just ‘Yeah, maybe I’ll come at this time.’ So I think he is our best player.
Pulisic is back on USMNT World Cuphowever, Holden has one player that fans need to be aware of except Pulis.
“I think Weston McKenney is always the player that excites me because he’s really raw talent. He’s a great athlete, but he’s just a gamer.
“My hope is that he is a guy who can take part in that responsibility for next year’s World Cup, shoulders and make a real moment. We can’t have one good player.
Holden played for USMNT from 2008 to 2013, and the midfielder scored three goals during his tenure.
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Former professional soccer player and Fox Sports analyst Stuart Holden interviewed the red carpet of “One Year GO” at the FIFA World Cup 26 event at the FOX Studio lot on June 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Jessica Alcheh-Immagn image)
The 39-year-old is currently a soccer analyst at Fox Sports and is excited to see the world of the US-building soccer culture.
“As a man who has lived in LA for 10 years, I’m excited to see the football culture that people came to LA and built here. Back to the finals built here in 1994 (when the World Cup was the last time in the US),” Holden said.
“The other part I’m excited about is that I have two young kids and I can’t wait to bring them into the game in my backyard and see them the best players, the biggest teams, and that’s how we inspire the next generation of people.
Connor McGahan of Fox News contributed to this report.
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