With Dempsey out, should Holden get starting nod for U.S. MNT?

October 5, 8:33 PMMLS ExaminerCharlie Corr

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  AP photo / Stuart Holden (sliding) could get a start for the U.S. MNT.

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Related articles

• Oct. 21: Bradley names U.S. MNT roster for final two World Cup qualifiers
• July 24: Dynamo's Holden affirms his readiness for World Cup roster

Former N.Y./N.J. MetroStars midfielder Clint Dempsey is going to miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier, when the U.S. Men's National Team takes on host Honduras. Dempsey is out with a sprained shoulder, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Monday.

So this news begs the question: Should Houston Dynamo midfielder Stuart Holden get the start?

Holden is only in his U.S. MNT infancy, with three World Cup qualifying caps at this point. For U.S. head coach Bob Bradley, experience tends to be a major factor in who he goes with on the pitch. How else do you explain the team latching onto DaMarcus Beasley for far too long?

But in this instance, Bradley's going to have to expand his comfort zone because his midfield options are all on the light side of World Cup qualifying experience. Jose Francisco Torres leads the midfield backup core with just six qualifying caps. Torres and Benny Feilhaber definitely are top options to fill in for Dempsey.

It would be nice to see Bradley put some faith in Holden in one of the bigger games of his international career. After all, Holden has delivered even during his short tenure.

He had that game-tying, second-half stoppage time goal against Haiti in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. As a sub in qualifying he has provided some crisp passing and crosses. And his speed and energy would be a welcome boost during the early stages of the match.

Dempsey's ability to score big goals late in a ball game will obviously be missed, though his overall play in qualifying has been lackluster of late.

Holden has progressed incredibly well with the U.S. MNT, and with two qualifiers remaining, this Saturday's match is as good as any to see if he can deliver alongside the starting crew.

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Charlie Corr is a freelance sports writer based in Chicago. In addition to his Major League Soccer duties, he is the Chicago Sports Examiner and the creator of a Chicago-based soccer Web site, SlideTackles.net.

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