Photo by ISIphotos.com
If the Mexican national team is going to escape Columbus with an upset win against the U.S. National team on Wednesday they will need to beat Tim Howard to do so, something that hasn't been easy for some of the best teams in the world to do.
Howard's recent run with Everton includes a streak of 12 games without allowing more than one goal, and he just finished a grueling stretch of games over a 16-day span that included the following matches:
Liverpool, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Look at that list again. Howard faced all those opponents over a little more than two-week span. In other words, don't look for Howard to be fazed by the magnitude of Wednesday's World Cup qualifer.
"I've been a pro for a long time now but that was definitely an intense run of games," said Howard, who posted a 0.80 goals during that two-week stretch. "It's good because you can't let up, another game comes and you have to be ready to go."
Howard will be playing in his fifth match against Mexico on Wednesday ( 2-0-2 with three goals allowed), and acknowledges that while the roles in the rivalry have reversed somewhat with the U.S. team as the favorite, Mexico is still a dangerous team the Americans won't be taking lightly.
"They're a good team, they're still Mexico and still have players who can hurt you if you make a mistake," Howard said. "It's a good rivalry but there's no hatred there. We respect them and respect that they can beat us if we don't play well."
Howard believes the U.S. team comes into Wednesday's match confident not just because of the team's recent success against Mexico (The United States is 8-0-2 in its past 10 home games vs. Mexico) but also because of the U.S. team's strong run in the previous round of World Cup qualifying.
"There is a lot of confidence in this group and going through that round gave a lot of players good experience because there's really no substitute for playing in qualifying," Howard said. "Even for me, I hadn't played through a whole round of qualifying before last year. We had a good run and played well and we're confident it can carry over to this round."
That round begins on Wednesday, with Howard casting an imposing shadow in the U.S. net.
let me tell you guys i had the pleasure to traing with Tim and Meola,and Tim is in my oppinion the best Keeper in that world or aleast top 3,the way he works out tops everyone in the world
Howard is still at an age where he can become the all time best… In the world, I never saw a goalkeeper with the athleticism and reflexes that he has, the only thing missing for him to be complete is better footwork and better judgement with crosses, weak point for ALL gk’s
We should definitely not take for granted always having a world-class goalkeeper, in the same way we shouldn’t take for granted always having a cohesive unit that plays better as a unit than just the sum of its parts. Even though we have problem areas to work on, I hope US Soccer still remembers the importance of keeping these strengths
Riggity – i love the confidence. But if you want to talk history, lets not forget Mexico owns our number, the ink on our jerseys, our cleats, and our children. lets not get too cocky. also, lets win in Mexico at least…you know….ONE time before we talk about dominating them.
Sorry Angel, the FA Cup is not the EPL.
Only sucks that AV and Everton play on the 14th in the FA Cup. Only 1 to the quarterfinals. I want Everton to win so that they are 1 step closer in playing in the UEFA Cup next season. But i’d like AV to win so Friedel can also get closer to holding the trophy. He needs trophyware. But AV are assured of the Champions League, so go TIMMMMMMMMY
Not to mention Friedel is helping Aston Villa to finish in the top3 and play Champions League football.
Kasey Keller was a GOD for Millwall and Leceister City winning them the League Cup in 1997. He played in La Liga and Bundesliga as well and left his mark. Was even the no.1 for Tottenham for a few seasons. Not bad at all.
Brad Friedel was a GOD for Blackburn and led them to the League Cup. He was their best player for years, would have led them to the Champions League if there were an actual goalscorer.
Marcus Hahnemann is a LEGEND at Reading and helped them to the Premier League where he kept them in for 2 seasons.
Tim Howard played for Man U. The best team in the world. He led to them to a FA Cup. Now for Everton he annually ensures they are in the UEFA Cup.
We have some of the best GK’s over the past decade and Luis Robles, Brad Guzan, Tim Perkins are coming along.
Howard is underestimated because he’s an American. Even at Man U, he was underestimated. But i’m glad he’s at Everton. 1 of the best clubs in England and he will be their no.1 for years to come. And he will only get better. Trust me.
Howard is 1 of the best GK’s in England and among the top20 in the world. Same with Brad Friedel.
He had a rough start to the season as Everton’s defenses let them down game after game. Added on that they couldn’t score to save their life as Yakubu went out with injury. But for sure they will finish 6th or maybe 5th this season. not bad.
Man, some of you guys sure know how to sugarcoat things.
Magallon, a defender, scored TWO goals on Howard last year off set pieces.
c’mon guys, seriously, Howard is top class but not superhuman.
I expect a dull 1-1 game.
CC Brad Guzan has been playing few games in the FA Cup and he been impressives so to answer your question YES he have played in EPL.
“I wonder if Sir Alex regrets letting Howard leave. While van der Saar is world class, he’s got to be close to 40 now. Tim is just hitting his prime, and gets better all the time. I’m sure if Man U wanted him back, they could afford it.”
Exactly. They can buy someone when EvdS retires if they don’t think they have someone ready, Howard would have been a serious luxury to keep around. Right now, well, I can’t imagine they’d want anyone else considering the 13 consecutive clean sheets and only 2/3 of their next game away from establishing the world record for goalless minuts. Methinks Vidic has a lot to do with that too, but Edwin’s been making the saves he needs to as well.
Luis Mex-
Don’t you know your history? It goes something like this.
Estados Unidos 2
Mexico 1
galaxy, i get your point, but i still think it stinks
Tim Howard is amazing, and playing those 3 teams in a span of 2 weeks is a rough stretch. This is the EPL we are talking about here.
I wonder if Sir Alex regrets letting Howard leave. While van der Saar is world class, he’s got to be close to 40 now. Tim is just hitting his prime, and gets better all the time. I’m sure if Man U wanted him back, they could afford it.
@ Frank – 2 goals direclty related to the marking of the “World Class” Drew Moore.
“I love Tim Howard, but that list isn’t as impressive as one might think. Liverpool can’t score, nor can Arsenal, and Man U has been living off 1-0 wins for two months.”
You just dissed maybe 3 of the top 7 or so teams in the world, and that’s not impressive to you? So what’s it going to take on Wednesday-is a clean sheet against Mexico enough or does he also have to breath fire and rescue a kitten from a tree?
Tim is the King of East Rutherford after all. 🙂
This’ll be a tie, despite all of the hype. A huge moral victory for Mexico who will escape with a point.
I love Tim Howard, but that list isn’t as impressive as one might think. Liverpool can’t score, nor can Arsenal, and Man U has been living off 1-0 wins for two months.
“NO GUILLERMO OCHOA OR OSWALDO SANCHEZ has done what TIMI has done in the EPL. Not including the Old MAN BRAD FRIDEL and even Brad Guzan..”
Has Brad Guzan played even a single EPL game?
A goalie is only as good as his defense. How many goals did Mexico score against Howard in February of last year? Oh yeah it was 2 goals. He has a good defense at Everton. He is the best goalkeeper in CONCACAF but can be scored upon. Before the current run he had allowed almost 2 goals per game for the season.
I’m wit you brett never under estimate your opponents Mexico are very tacticle and have good players. But I think USA if the play with passion, orginized futball, can control the ball and attack on the side we can win this game.
ouch i didnt even realize they had that heavy of a stretch…. hopefully everton pick it up with JO….
even with Mexico having multiple injuries, i wouldnt count them out… they are more dangerous now then ever….
we must put them away early….
Hey guys do you know that this List of players, They have been playing together for a long time for example, Tim Howard, Donovan, Ouchie, Bocanegra, Beasley, They all been playing since the Sub17 Second group, Altidore, Bradley, Sasha, Robbie Rogers, Clark, Bornstein, Davis, Brad Guzan(Adu,& Edu) has been playing in the Sub 17 To the Olimpic. and the last group of Veteran are Pearce, Hejduk, Califf, and Ching has been playing since the Bruce Arena Era. Thats why USA is going to win, and it’s call consistant futball.
to me Howard is the very best in the world .. One of the all time greatest, I even went to see metros matches just to watch him live.. Enough said
US Gk’ers the true saviors of USA footy.
hahaha ,
you will eat two goals of Castillo dudes !!
Tim Howard in top form (thank you EPL scheduling gods), Dempsey feeling good, Landon chomping at the bit, Mexico bitten by injury, bad form, Sven…how sweet would 3-0 be?
you think that Omar Bravo, Franco, Ochoa, Dos Santo or Castillo, are better and can do what other players like the Niño Torres, Berbatov, Van Persi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney, Teves and many more in the EPL Can’t do they can do it in this game, PLEASE. All we need is the Defense to be Solid. NO GUILLERMO OCHOA OR OSWALDO SANCHEZ has done what TIMI has done in the EPL. Not including the Old MAN BRAD FRIDEL and even Brad Guzan..
Sorry to jump in late here, but in looking over the squad, how can Spector be left out, given the dearth of defenders? Sure he’s been injured, but he made the bench for West Ham on Saturday. And, seriously, Hejduk?
TIMMAY!!!!!!! is the man.
Timmmy!!!!!!!
Cant wait for this Game!!!
It is something we have almost been able to take forgranted that we have had someone in net for the last 10+ years that will usually keep us in games.
On a side note it turns out Seattle would have been a colder place to hold the game high tomorrow of 45 so temps would probably be lower by kickoff. I think the correct choice was made, as much as I would have loved to have been able to go if it were here.