Stuart Holden should be enjoying himself right now. On July 4, the 23-year-old scored on his international debut, helping the USA to a 4-0 drubbing of Grenada in the team’s opening game of the Concacaf Gold Cup. On Saturday, the midfielder struck for a stoppage-time equalizer as the USA rallied for a 2-2 draw with Haiti in their final Group B match. And on Monday it was announced that the Houston Dynamo midfielder was named to the First XI for the MLS All-Star game in his first appearance.
“To be named to the First XI is pretty flattering to me,” Holden said after the U.S. national team training session at the Philadelphia Eagles practice facility. “I’m excited. It’s just a testament to the hard work I’ve put in, but also the hard work my teammates have put in. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the guys around me, they’ve opened up opportunities to score goals and get accolades. I consider it a team award.”
Holden is one of seven All-Stars included in the First XI who will face English Premier League club Everton FC in the MLS All-Star Game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on July 29. The game will be televised live on ESPN and Galavision at 9:30 p.m. ET. Holden will join fellow first-timers: Dynamo teammate Geoff Cameron, Columbus Crew defender Chad Marshall, Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg as well as Chicago Fire defender Wilman Conde and Colorado Rapids striker Conor Casey.