No further medical tests are necessary for Tim Howard, and the U.S. goalkeeper has been cleared to play against Slovenia on Friday, the United States Soccer Federation announced Monday.
Howard collided with Emile Heskey during Saturday's match, when he dove out to prevent a cross from getting through to the England forward. Heskey's cleats appeared to meet Howard's ribs, and the keeper said he was in considerable pain after the clash.
Nevertheless, Howard remained in the game and delivered a man-of-the-match performance to help secure a point for the Americans. Barring an unexpected change over the next few days, he will start the United States' crucial match on Friday against the current Group C leaders.
What do you think of these developments? Relieved that Howard appears to be OK?
Share your thoughts below.
marden,
Did you ever play goalkeeper? I did in high school and college.
If Heskey were to be carded it would be for “dangerous play”
Look at the still photo that accompanies this article. It’s pretty clear to me that Heskey launched his challenge while the ball was not yet in the goalkeeper’s possession; as he has a right to do.
Commonly accepted notions of “dangerous play” include tackling for the ball with the cleats exposed or when it is in the keeper’s possession–even, on occasion, exposing oneself to the risk of harm, if it causes someone to refrain from playing the ball for fear of injuring his overly adventuresome opponent.
Heskey’s cleats were exposed but the ball was not yet in Howard’s possession. It’s part of the game.
I guess we could all just come to the comments section and recite whatever we hear tv analysts say, but that would make this place a lot less interesting.
My list of keepers might sound like name dropping because buffon, casillas and julio cesar are widely considered the top three keepers in the world. And julio cesar has plenty of performances to back up his inclusion in that discussion.
Your reasoning on friedel is suspect. Guzan is still playing for the national team, does that mean he’s better than friedel? I mean, the usa would only bring the best available players, right? The guy retired. His choice, not the national team’s.
Even if bradley/arena had tried to coax him back, we wouldn’t have heard about it. A public move like that would be an obvious vote of no-confidence for your current starter.
Now let’s all cross our fingers that howard puts us on his shoulders and carries us deep into the knockout stages. Then secures a deal to the emirates…
Well, I said top 5, and wouldn’t argue Buffon or Casillas, but I challenge some of these others. I think you’re “name dropping.” Why Cesar, because he’s Brazilian?? What specifically makes him better than Howard? Brad Friedel, really?? If he’s better than Howard, why is he not playing for the Nats? The MNT generally goes for the best available talent at each position, so if Friedel was better, why wouldn’t we have gone after him, or tried to coax him from MNT retirement? Shay Given is another that is certainly good, but I question whether he’s better than Howard.
Jurgen Klinsmann stated the other day even he thought Howard was one of the best five in the world, and would likely be playing for a bigger club after the WC. Sorry, I value his opinion more than yours…nothing personal.
his dad must have had the same hands he does