By FRANCO PANIZO
Stuart Holden's road to recovery is officially complete.
Having been sidelined since March with a devastating knee injury, Holden played in his first official match of the season for Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday. The U.S. men's national team midfielder started and went the distance in Bolton's 2-0 triumph over Aston Villa in the third round of the Carling Cup, a promising return for a player looking to get back to the form that had many considering him one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Holden's return to the field wasn't the only bit of good news. Robbie Findley once again found the back of the net in Carling Cup action, scoring his third of the tournament and fourth overall this season across all competitions. Findley's goal came on a blast from about 30 yards out, but that wasn't enough for Nottingham Forest to avoid elimation, as it fell to Newcastle United 4-3 on an 120th-minute goal from Fabricio Coloccini.
Here's how the Americans Abroad who had Carling Cup games on Tuesday fared:
CARLING CUP
- Stuart Holden started and played 90 minutes in Bolton Wanderers' 2-0 win vs.. Aston Villa.
- Brad Guzan dressed but did not play in Aston Villa's 2-0 loss vs. Bolton Wanderers.
- Eric Lichaj did not dress for Aston Villa. He is recovering from a hip injury.
- Brad Friedel did not dress in Tottenham Hotspur's 7-6 penalty kick loss (after a 0-0 draw) vs. Stoke City.
- Robbie Findley started, played 120 minutes and scored a GOAL in Nottingham Forest's 4-3 extra time loss vs. Newcastle United.
-------
What do you think of Holden's return? Hoping Findley gets called into the U.S. men's national team?
Share your thoughts below.
