Stuart Holden

20 for 2025!! Cheers to another year of life, friends, family, and fun. Started on a super long caption— but it required too much thinking. Trying to spend less time on the ol’ device in 2026 and I’m making a commitment to read more books!! 2025 was as busy as ever— but man, 2026 is going to be a beast… World Cup baby… no sleep until who knows when, but wouldn’t have it any other way. Thanks for following along and being part of the journey. Appreciate you all!! ❤️

This time of year is the best (and the most tiring as you can see from Remi falling asleep in the massage chair getting a pedicure 😂).

MLS Cup didn’t disappoint!! Vancouver had an incredible season and were the better team for long stretches of the game but were undone by some brilliance from the 🐐 Messi and co. Congrats to Inter Miami on their first ever MLS Cup — quite a way to finish your last game in Ft Lauderdale but the grand opening next year of the new stadium in Miami.

MLS Cup didn’t disappoint — what a game. Vancouver had an incredible season and were the better team for long stretches of the game but were undone by some brilliance from the 🐐 Messi and co. Congrats to Inter Miami on their first ever MLS Cup — quite a way to finish your last game in Ft Lauderdale but the grand opening next year of the new stadium in Miami.

A massive congratulations to my best friend and partner, John Strong, for receiving the Eric Allen Award for outstanding achievement from the . It was a huge, well-deserved honor, and one I know he is incredibly proud of — although it was his wife, Nicole, who had to tell me about it on the side, because John would have never shared it! (The surprise toast is in Frame 4)

In true John Strong fashion, he used his acceptance speech to shine the light on his team, his family, and everyone who has supported him, but for this, I hope he takes a moment to recognize his own phenomenal personal achievement.

I’ve had the great fortune of working alongside John for 11 years now. My very first broadcast was with him back in 2014, and we are now well over 450 games together. He literally dreamed of being in this position since he was a kid and worked tirelessly in every corner of sports media to get to where he is today. It’s easy to look at the success of an individual, but to truly understand John, you have to appreciate the profound dedication and work ethic that keeps him at the top. He preps with such fine detail and has a unique, profound way of storytelling and calling the game’s most exciting moments.

We’ve traveled the world together, calling games on almost every continent and getting a front-row seat to some of the greatest soccer games in history over the past 11 years. I’m beyond impressed by his ability to balance being a family man first and a top-tier broadcaster simultaneously. We’ve experienced a lot of “life” together, and it’s brought us so close both on and off the mic.

Loved being there last night to see my pal get a little choked up, which showed me just how important this recognition is, especially coming from the , where he refined his craft. John may not see this since he’s not on social media, but I will continue to shout from the rooftops just how special he is as a broadcaster and a friend. Cheers to you, John. You deserve to be celebrated.

Cheers to the man that in the last slide!!!! Onward!