Starting centre-back Matt Besler left the Ghana game at half-time with a hamstring injury, with John Brooks stepping in for what would be the 21-year-old’s first competitive USA game. There has been further disruption in Brazil. Klinsmann used nine back fours in 10 games during the hexagonal stage, and it was a testament to Howard’s command that his team posted the second-best defensive record out of the six teams involved. Perhaps the most impressive aspect to the USA’s Concacaf qualifying success was that they achieved it despite having a highly unsettled starting XI. If his athleticism has declined at 34, then it is more than made up for by the leadership he brings to his teams. Howard rebounded to enjoy an excellent season at Everton leading into this World Cup, earning a contract extension through to 2018. Not everyone agreed with Klinsmann’s decision at the time, but few would challenge it now. “There's Tim Howard at No1, Brad Guzan at No2 and then Nick Rimando at No3.” “In the rankings there's no doubt about it,” said Klinsmann, nipping any succession talk in the bud. Howard, who was going through a period of indifferent form at Everton, missed both games after fracturing bones in his back. The manager’s faith has never wavered – even after Guzan kept clean sheets in key qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico last year. Jürgen Klinsmann is in no doubt as to his goalkeeper’s qualities, describing him in May as one of the top five in the world. He blocked a further three attempts from 10 yards or closer over the course of that match. The then Blackburn goalkeeper kept out two penalties in five games, including one against co-hosts South Korea, as the Americans secured a vital group-stage draw. Muller did extremely well to curl his shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.Īlready there are echoes of 2002, when Friedel’s saves helped carry the USA to the quarter-finals. But Howard had hardly presented his opponent with a gilt-edged opportunity. Some will ask whether he could have done better in the build-up to Thomas Müller’s goal, when he pushed a Per Mertesacker header into the forward’s path. His desperate, hopping recovery to paw a shot from Eder over the bar on the stroke of half-time was the defining moment of the match – preventing his team from falling two goals behind.Įven in defeat by Germany, Howard was solid – making seven saves. Against Portugal he was named as man of the match despite conceding twice. Against Ghana, he made four saves to help the USA win despite being outplayed. His predecessor Kasey Keller, by contrast, won 101 caps despite giving up more than 80 to Brad Friedel.īefore the start of this World Cup, prominent US soccer writer Ives Galarcep opined: “There are currently three figures on the US goalkeeping Mount Rushmore: Keller, Meola and Brad Friedel.” Three games into the tournament, Howard seems closer than ever to carving his bust alongside theirs.Īlthough yet to keep a clean sheet in Brazil, Howard has impressed in every appearance. From 2007 to 2012, until the emergence of Brad Guzan at Aston Villa, Howard had very little competition for his place. His 55 wins are also a record in his position.īut we all know the line about lies, damn lies and statistics context must be applied. As of Thursday’s game against Germany, he is now the most capped goalkeeper in US soccer history – with 103 appearances. For all the strides that the USA have made lately – finishing top of Concacaf’s final qualifying stage before surviving the World Cup’s group of death – the nation’s soccer team is still best known globally for one thing: producing a steady stream of brilliant goalkeepers.īy at least two measures, Tim Howard is the greatest of them all. Those words were delivered in good humour, but they hinted at an underlying truth. Broke two bones in his back in a FA Cup game against Oldham Athletic and continued to play to the final whistle. Suffers from Tourette Syndrome and was named to the Board of Directors of the Tourette Syndrom Association of New Jersey in Novemenber 2001. Drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters in 2009. 210 consecutive starts in the Premier League for Everton from 2007-2013įun Facts: Appeared on the cover of ESPN Magazine prior to the 2010 World Cup.One of five players to play every minute of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.All-time leader in caps and wins by a U.S.Men's National Team history to reach 100. Recorded 100th cap against Nigera on June 7, 2014, becoming just the 15th player in U.S.England with eight saves in 1-1 draw in 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden glove at 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.In 2001 became the youngest person to receive MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.
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