Stuart Holden: U.S. Midfielder Posts Rehab Update, Trains (Briefly) with National Team

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5.5 months ago I was devastated when I found out I'd torn my ACL in the Gold Cup final. As I'm getting ready to have my final check-ups and Clearance from my Docs and PTs, I took some time to reflect. I was thinking about all the hard work I've put in over the last few months and the people that have helped me get to this point. Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. I'm looking forward to one final push and getting back out there on the pitch where I belong. Let's do this!

A post shared by Stu Holden (@stuholden) on Jan 27, 2014 at 10:35am PST

Stuart Holden is the most unlucky American soccer player around. In fact he could be one of the more unfortunate athletes on the planet. Last summer, after missing nearly two years of his career to multiple knee injuries, he featured for the U.S. National Team during its run to winning the Gold Cup.

Holden still faces a long road back to fitness to work his way back into the lineup at Bolton, which now resides in the English second division. In 2010 a tackle from Nigel de Jong broke his leg then in 2011 a hard (read: dirty) challenge from Manchester United’s Jonny Evans blew out his ACL, costing him almost two years of his career.

At the very least, he’s making progress, enough progress to post an update of his rehab on Instagram. After injury No. 3 few would have faulted Holden had he opted to call it a career, but as he wrote on Monday afternoon quitting wasn’t an option:

"5.5 months ago I was devastated when I found out I’d torn my ACL in the Gold Cup final. As I’m getting ready to have my final check-ups and Clearance from my Docs and PTs, I took some time to reflect. I was thinking about all the hard work I’ve put in over the last few months and the people that have helped me get to this point. Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. I’m looking forward to one final push and getting back out there on the pitch where I belong. Let’s do this!"

As good as he might be at soccer, Holden might be even better at social media. That is perhaps the more elaborate Instagram video I’ve ever seen posted on the photo (and now video) service. Holden’s a good follow, too, with plenty of pictures alongside his model/yoga instructor girlfriend Karalyn West, including this funny shot when the couple picked sides during the BCS Championship Game.

Holden making the United States’ 23-man roster for Brazil is a decided longshot, but it’s a longshot worth rooting for.