YOU CAN TELL HE'S AMERICAN BECAUSE HE'S TRYING TO WIN:

Holden, USA's tartan treasure (FIFA.com, 14 July 2009)

The game in Foxborough, a suburb of Boston, was Holden's second start in a rotating and highly experimental USA side competing at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. His long-range strike in the 91st minute, which assured the Americans a 2-2 draw and sole ownership of top spot in their group, capped a performance justly rewarded with the man of the match award. It also helped preserve an unbeaten home run for the US in competitive games stretching all the way back to 2001.

"We scored early, maybe too early" said Holden, who set up the first goal in the sixth minute. "But we conceded two right after the break and then we had to battle and keep them under pressure. When the chance fell to me I just tried to keep it on target."

Holden, born in Aberdeen, Scotland, moved to Texas at age 10 and is eager to admit he had more than just excitement on his mind after securing the draw. "I really wanted to get the ball back to the centre circle because I felt like we could have grabbed another one and won the game."

It is just this type of youthful exuberance and unbridled enthusiasm that is driving Bob Bradley's new-look side as they defend their regional crown. Holden, who won an MLS title with the Dynamo in 2006 and was recently named a 2009 league all-star, has shared locker-rooms with many of his current teammates, and gone head to head with them in the American top flight. "These guys are all familiar to me from MLS or the U-20s or the Olympic team," said Holden, who scored once for the US at last year's Olympic finals in Beijing. "It's a great opportunity for us to get some games, impress the coaches too. It's a competitive atmosphere."