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Though born in Aberdeen, Holden has lived in Texas since the age of 10 and is earning a growing reputation on the international stage. He's collected 11 senior U.S. caps and is certainly on coach Bob Bradley's radar vis-a-vis his World Cup roster.

Holden first caught the eye in China as part of the American team competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He impressed again at last summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup while his senior counterparts recovered from a successful Confederations Cup campaign.

Now the lure of Europe is calling for more than one reason. Holden becomes a free agent on New Year's Day after four years with the Dynamo and, of course, he doesn't need a work permit to pull on his boots on the other side of the Atlantic.

His situation has alerted a queue of teams who have been monitoring his progress in recent months. Glasgow Rangers and Blackburn Rovers are believed to be among the chasing pack as Holden weighs up his considerable options.

MLS wants him to stay

Understandably MLS is reluctant to see Holden leave its family. To that end the league is reckoned to be dangling the carrot of a 10-fold pay increase in an attempt to retain one of its rising stars. Chances are it's too little, too late.

Should Holden choose to stay in MLS, however, two things happen. First, he's guaranteed playing time in 2010 which boosts his chances of going to South Africa. Secondly, it gives the League a valuable asset to market should the offers come pouring in after the World Cup.

Holden concedes it's a crucial decision and he wants to make the right choice. To force his way on to Bradley's World Cup squad he needs to carry on where he left off in 2009. Unlike Donovan, he's not a fixture on the U.S. national team and time may not be on his side.

A bright beginning to the 2010 MLS season would keep him at the forefront of Bradley's thinking, whereas a slow start in Europe, a la Maurice Edu at Rangers in 2008, would not aid his cause from an international standpoint regardless of the potential career opportunity.

Versatility a drawback 

Holden's versatility may be a virtue in some respects but it also has its drawbacks. He can, and has, played on the flanks or alternatively operate as a central midfielder. It might tempt Bradley to take him to the World Cup as useful cover but it may also stunt in growth from a European perspective until he finds his best position.

The fact that Holden's name does not appear on Bradley's 30-strong training camp which will gather early in the New Year may be a positive sign. Most of the players are MLS-based so it would appear Holden has either risen above those ranks, or has informed the U.S. Coach he won't be available since he's quitting Houston.

It's an enviable but immensely difficult choice for the youngster. It could be win-win but the timing leaves a lot to be desired. Club versus country is always a tough call but, in the end, Stuart Holden must do what is right for him.