Latest news with #StuHolden
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USMNT could change its World Cup narrative in Gold Cup final vs. Mexico
You ask former U.S. men's national soccer team standouts Marcelo Balboa and Stu Holden about the Concacaf Gold Cup final, and the competitive spirit just oozes from their soul. Especially since USMNT will face its biggest rival, Mexico, in the Sunday, July 6 match at NRG Stadium in Houston. Advertisement 'Listen, you never want to lose to Mexico,' Balboa, 57, told USA TODAY Sports, before he joins the Gold Cup's Spanish-language broadcast on Univision, TUDN and ViX. 'I'm retired. I haven't played against Mexico a long time. Even when I play in the old legends games, I don't want to lose to Mexico.' Holden – who will be on the Gold Cup call alongside play-by-play announcer John Strong on FOX – still remembers how humiliated he felt after playing in USMNT's 5-0 loss to Mexico in the 2009 Gold Cup final. 'Man, I would give anything to step on that field on Sunday,' Holden said. 'And I'm going to step on the field – I just won't be allowed to kick a ball.' Coach Mauricio Pochettino, breakout star Diego Luna and the USMNT have a golden opportunity to rewrite the team's narrative ahead of next summer's FIFA World Cup. Advertisement They could end a tumultuous summer on a high note by lifting a trophy, setting the stage for a World Cup where they could at least be competitive against some of the best national teams in the world. A loss, however? Well, here's where it's important to maintain some perspective. USMNT has been a club on the fly before the World Cup – hiring Pochettino last September, and trying to field a capable roster that won't embarrass itself when the U.S. co-hosts the tournament next summer with Canada and Mexico. By no means are they ready for the World Cup just yet. But they'll have to be when next summer rolls around. Advertisement Star Christian Pulisic is one of several players not with USMNT during the Gold Cup this summer – his decision to rest upsetting several former players turned analysts, especially after the U.S. lost friendlies to Turkey (2-1 on June 7) and Switzerland (4-0 on June 10) before the tournament. During the Gold Cup, the U.S. beat Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 on June 7, beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 on June 19, beat Haiti 2-1 on June 22, advanced past Costa Rica 2-2 (4-3 on penalty kicks) on June 29 and topped Guatemala 2-1 on July 2 to reach the final. U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Freese (25) celebrats with defender Walker Zimmerman (5) during a semifinal match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Energizer Park. Pochettino has 10 wins in 15 matches since taking the job, a run that included a four-game losing streak going into the Gold Cup. Would another loss to Mexico – in the Gold Cup final – be a failure for Pochettino and USMNT? Advertisement 'No, not at all. The fact that this team got there, I think it's very valuable for Pochettino and his coaching staff,' Balboa said, adding it's a prime opportunity for the players pushing for a roster spot to play for USMNT in the World Cup. 'Listen, nobody wants to lose. Is it a failure? I wouldn't think it's a failure at all. I think it's just one of those games that it could go either way. One mistake could cost you the game. But at the end of the day, you can't say one game that you lose to Mexico in the final, the tournament was a failure.' Holden said he's cautious to put a label like 'failure' if this group of USMNT players fall to Mexico because 'it would be me getting a little bit lost in the moment.' This Gold Cup experience is about Pochettino finding his way as the USMNT coach. Advertisement It's about players like Luna, who scored both goals against Guatemala, making a name for themselves. It's about others like forwards Brian White and Patrick Agyemang, midfielders Max Arfsten, Jack McGlynn and Sebastian Berhalter, defenders Chris Richards and Alex Freeman, and goalkeeper Matt Freese solidifying their chances to make the World Cup roster. Holden believes a Gold Cup win could solidify USMNT's belief in itself, and send a message to its pool of players that the club is heading in a clear direction under Pochettino's leadership. 'That means: You fight like hell on Sunday, and you beat your fiercest rival, and you cap off a great month, and we have a great storyline to tell for the next year,' Holden said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gold Cup: USMNT could change World Cup narrative in final vs. Mexico
Fox News
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Former US soccer star reveals the 'biggest issue' threatening America's World Cup dreams
Former USMNT player Stu Holden identified one big issue the team needs to figure out before the World Cup begins next year. Holden, 39, said the team needs to figure out which players will be on the field. "I think the biggest issue for the USMNT is to figure out who are the 11 guys who are going to step out on that field on June 12, 2026, that can inspire people and get results. There has not been anything in two years since the World Cup in Qatar that has made me feel that we have taken any strides forward," Holden told Fox News Digital. "I think that is the goal with developing and the amount of investment we have put into the game in this country is that I haven't seen anything that makes me think we are going to do anything that we haven't done before." "It is about this group of players, not just making us believe, but making themselves believe but making themselves believe by getting some results and building some momentum heading into that moment. So that when they step out on that field, they know they can get the job done." In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the United States were knocked out in the Round of 16. One of the tournaments USMNT has to determine their starting 11 players for the World Cup is the Gold Cup. However, USMNT's best player, Christian Pulisic, is not playing in the Gold Cup, which Holden said is a big deal. "I think it's a big deal, because I think anytime the United States national team is playing I want the best 23, 11, whatever it is, American players playing on those fields in those moments. And I also want players that are excited to play and represent their national team in every moment," Holden said. "And it is not just a, 'Eh, maybe I will come in this time.' So, I think that is what we are missing. He is our best player and I want to see our best player on the field. And when he is on the field, it sets the tone and makes other people want to be a part of it as well. It is instrumental in building a culture and that is what I think this team right now is really lacking." Pulisic will be back with USMNT for the World Cup, but Holden has one player that fans should look out for other than Pulisic. "I think Weston Mckennie is a player that always excites me because he just has some really raw talent. He is an excellent athlete but he is also just a gamer. In some of the biggest moments he turns up with a goal," Holden said. "My hope is he's a guy who takes and shoulders some of that responsibility for the World Cup next year and be a guy who can really create some moments. We can't just have one good player, we need to have four to five of our top players playing at their absolute maximum for this team to do something special." Holden played for the USMNT from 2008-2013 and the midfielder scored three goals in his tenure. The 39-year-old is currently a soccer analyst for Fox Sports and is excited for the world to see the soccer culture that the United States has built. "I am excited, as a guy who lives in L.A. now and has for ten years, for people to come and visit L.A. and see the soccer culture that we built here. I think back to the final that we built here in 1994 (when the World Cup was last in the United States)," Holden said. "The other part I am excited for is, I have two young kids, and I can't wait to take them to games in our own backyard, and let them see the best players, the biggest teams, and experience that, because that is how we inspire the next generation of people. So, I am excited about those fans that will be inspired to be a part of our game going forward." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox Sports
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
FOX Sports Unveils Uefa Nations League Finals 2025™ Coverage With France, Spain, Germany, Portugal Headlining Final Field - Fox Sports Press Pass
Germany vs. Portugal on Wednesday, June 4 and Spain vs. France on Thursday, June 5 Anchor Semifinals on FS1, Winners Advance to Final Match Sunday on FOX John Strong and Stu Holden On the Call from Germany LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, America's English-language home for the world's top international soccer tournaments, today unveils coverage plans for the UEFA Nations League Finals 2025™ featuring powerhouse national teams France, Spain, Portugal and Germany headlining the final field. On Wednesday, June 4 , coverage on FS1 begins at 2:30 PM ET for the first Semifinal match between Germany and Portugal. The second Semifinal match between Spain and France on Thursday, June 5 , also features a 2:30 PM ET start on FS1. The two winning teams will meet in the star-powered UEFA Nations League Finals 2025™ on Sunday, June 8 , with live coverage starting at 2:00 PM ET on FOX. FOX Sports' acclaimed lead soccer commentator pairing, play-by-play announcer John Strong and match analyst Stu Holden, will be on-site in Germany to call the Semifinals and Final in-stadium from Stuttgart and Munich. Former international referee Mark Clattenburg will also serve as rules analyst across every match. FOX SOCCER STUDIO COVERAGE Lead studio analyst and National Soccer Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas joins former U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) star and analyst Maurice Edu in studio for the Semifinals on FS1 with Jenny Taft hosting UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE MATCH DAY on Wednesday and Rob Stone hosting Thursday. The much-anticipated tournament Final on FOX features Lalas, fellow National Soccer Hall of Famer and USMNT legend Landon Donovan together with former England National Team defender Warren Barton as studio analysts on UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE MATCH DAY with Stone anchoring coverage. UEFA Nations League Finals 2025™ features in FOX Sports' massive Summer of Soccer slate with multiple marquee tournaments taking place in June, July and August. From Sunday, June 1 , to Saturday, August 2 , FOX Sports will present the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Final, Concacaf Women's U-20 Championship 2025 and UEFA Nations League Finals 2025™, followed by FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers, 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, UEFA Women's EURO 2025™, CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina 2025™ and MLS Leagues Cup.
Fox Sports
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
FOX Sports Opens Its Massive Summer of Soccer With 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Broadcast Schedule - Fox Sports Press Pass
United States Men's National Team Takes Center Stage on FOX Sunday, June 15 in Group Stage Opener vs. Trinidad and Tobago USMNT vs. Haiti on Sunday, June 22 and Gold Cup Final on Sunday, July 6 Air on FOX FS1 Spotlights USMNT in Second Group Stage Match vs. Saudi Arabia on Thursday, June 19 Veteran Broadcasters John Strong, Stu Holden and Jenny Taft Call Every USMNT Match Gold Cup Legend Landon Donovan Returns as Analyst LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports, America's English-language home for the world's top international soccer tournaments, today unveils its broadcast schedule for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Taking place in 14 stadiums across 11 U.S. and Canadian cities from Saturday, June 14 , to Sunday, July 6 , the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup opens FOX Sports' Summer of Soccer with the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) starring in their final premier tournament test before next year's FIFA World Cup 2026™. The stacked 16-team field featuring the region's top national teams, including the USMNT, Mexico, Canada, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, El Salvador, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Curacao and Saudi Arabia kicks off across FOX Sports networks this summer with 31-matches airing on FOX (4), FS1 (24) and FS2 (3). Group Stage play opens Saturday, June 14 , starting at 9:30 PM ET on FS1 with defending Gold Cup champion Mexico vs. Dominican Republic from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The following day on Sunday, June 15 , the USMNT begin their Gold Cup campaign on FOX with live coverage starting at 5:30 PM ET vs. Trinidad and Tobago from PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The USMNT's second Group Stage match on Thursday, June 19 , vs. Saudi Arabia airs on FS1 with live coverage from Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas beginning at 9:00 PM ET. On Sunday, June 22 , the USMNT's final Group Stage match vs. Haiti lands on FOX with live coverage commencing at 6:00 PM ET from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. On Sunday, June 29 , a knockout stage Quarterfinal match airs in primetime on FOX with live coverage set for 6:00 PM ET, while every remaining Quarterfinal and Semifinal match airs on FS1. The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday, July 6 , features a primetime start on FOX and one-hour pregame show beginning at 6:00 PM ET. Distinguished play-by-play announcer John Strong and former USMNT star and celebrated match analyst Stu Holden return as FOX Sports' lead commentators for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Strong and Holden will be joined by elite lead reporter Jenny Taft for every USMNT match throughout the tournament. FOX SOCCER STUDIO COVERAGE CONCACAF GOLD CUP MATCH DAY serves as the network's pregame, postgame and bridge show with just over 12 hours of studio coverage on FOX and FS1 scheduled throughout the competition. Host Rob Stone anchors CONCACAF GOLD CUP MATCH DAY alongside studio analysts and National Soccer Hall of Famers Alexi Lalas and Landon Donovan. Additional analysts, broadcasters and match assignments for the Gold Cup will be announced ahead of the tournament. The 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup kick starts FOX Sports' massive upcoming Summer of Soccer with multiple marquee tournaments taking place in June, July and August. From Sunday, June 1 , to Saturday, August 2 , FOX Sports will present the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Final, Concacaf Women's U-20 Championship 2025, UEFA Nations League Finals 2025™ and FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers, followed by the Gold Cup, the network's inaugural presentation of the UEFA Women's EURO 2025™, CONMEBOL Copa América Femenina 2025™ and MLS Leagues Cup. Click here to view and download the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup broadcast schedule. The broadcast schedule is subject to change.
