The Mail Bag
Big Tim's Big Night
Comments (15)
Tim Howard's USA team were very worthy winners in tonight's Confederations Cup semi-final against Spain.
The norte americanos played a well-organised, disciplined, strong and very mobile game. The skill level throughout the team was good and I particularly liked their mid-range passing out of defence and into attack. Howard was called upon to make important stops ? one from F Torres ? and to command the area as Spain pressed for most of the match. He had a glorious night.
The Spanish, by contrast, looked bewildered. They played well enough but clearly didn't understand why they were losing. Clearly, they thought they had a God-given right to win, and a Uruguayan ref who, at times, seemed to agree. And with all those Liverpool players they had to, didn't they? Oh dear, what a shame, never mind.
So Tim will be up against Steven in the final on Sunday? Only the small matter of Brazil for Bafana Bafana to overcome tomorrow. But after tonight, who knows?
Come On You Blues!
Keith Glazzard, Posted 24/06/2009 at 18:50:16
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Huge step forward for my country, and so fantastic seeing a Blue in Howard play so well. He came out aggressively to stop numerous chances and never had a waivering moment. And he stopped a few rockets.
USA truly had a fantastic night. And yes, Keith, it was very gratifying to see red shites on the losing end.
3 out of 4 games we drew red cards. I understand the American game is not as crisp and quick, but it seems donkey-ish to go down to 10 men in 3 of 4 games.
Anywho - sorry for the back-to-back posts about the USMNT, but I?m just estatic about this.
COYB!
Let's hope City were watching...
Basically, his strengths were evident last night, and this weakness not. Does anyone feel Howard is weak on this...Does Chris Woods not work on this aspect of his game??
Bradley looked good and was unlucky to go... Why always reds for fouls on Alonso??
I think you?re right about Tim Howard; some games he?s excellent and others not. Although he equalled / beat Southall?s record of clean sheets (in the Premier League), he?s nowhere near the great binman in terms of ability.
I’ve seen no repeats of his tackle on Alonso but it looked like a yellow at most to me. At this stage the ref seemed to be doing anything he could think of to get Spain back into the game. Strangely, his assistant started calling Spain offside on marginals when he seemed to miss about four obvious ones in the first part of the second half. Bad luck for Bradley, but overall his team made their own luck.
In Howard?s defense, he is such an incredible athlete that perhaps he feels as though he can still make the saves based on his athleticism when the angles and proximity of the shot may not quite be in his favour.
All in all. I´m delighted we have a keeper like Tim with so many world class aspects to his game
coyb
They have really had a go at Brazil tonight, playing really well ? wonder if Tim had some words of inspiration for his fellow Toffee before tonight?
Echoing the comment made by many others, I really like the look of Bradley and feel he would slot right in the boilerhouse. There have been rumours in seasons past about Bradley so let?s hope that Moyes too likes the look of Bradley. He has a terrific workrate and he knows where the onion bag is as well!
Off topic, but Peanut looked top class tonight against a lacklustre Brazil. Long may it continue!
The Brazil free kick was fairly awarded for a rash challenge - and Steven was in place to cover the danger! - and that was that. But Steven’s team gave the team which demolished Italy one hell of a game. Just look at their not a samba but a highland fling at the final whistle.
I wish he could come home now but they have to play Spain in a stupid 3rd & 4th game (Sunday early pm?).
Steven Pienaar has been a credit to himself, his country and EFC in this tournament. You can’t say much fairer than that.
Watchiing Pienaar with RSA makes me wonder briefly why we don?t move him into the center. He was excellent today. But his link up with Baines is too good. And then there?s the question of who the hell would play on the left.
As for Bradley, I?ve watched so many US games and I can tell you the kid is good. He?d fit in very well with Everton. He?s Moyesey?s type of guy as well. He just works his balls off every single time he takes the pitch. And his distribution is great. Plus he can lash it from distance occasionally.
I?d love to see the guy in Blue someday.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 24/06/2009 at 18:34:17
Report abuse
Proud of ya, boys!