Time for Tim Howard.

[jamesf24]

This is all rubbish. Howard is solid MLS keeper, maybe the best in MLS, but an arguement could be made for Joe Cannon, Zach Thornton, Nick Rimando, Tony Meola, etc.

The US is deep in GK's, and I don't know anything that Howard has done to assume "it's time for Howard".

Friedel is the #1, and deservedly so.

Keller is the #2, and deservedly so.

The #3 maybe should go to Howard, but I don't think that's an automatic by any means.

And whoever said Keller was "cheated & lied to", I assume your talking about his club manager and not by the US.

It was a tough call to make, but Friedel deserved to be our WC keeper and showed why.

James

[Bruce S]

Originally posted by Melloblkmon
I think Howard is great!

But Kasey is not going anywhere by 2006 unless he dies or has some other life altering situation. He has much to prove to the world after being cheated and lied to prior to this World Cup. By the time '06 rolls around he will be 36. An arguement could be made to say he will have lost some reflex quickness by then but I will believe it when I see it.

By being in Spurs first team and staying there he will attract bigger clubs to court him if he continues to play well. This will help him to solidify his spot on the squad even more. Next time around there will be no excuses from Arena, if he is still even the coach. All Keller needs to do is to remain injury free which is a lot to ask but I think he can do it.
Keller cheated? Friedel was often mentioned as the "next best" keeper to Kahn. And if you look at Sam's Army poll, Friedel was USA fans player of the WC, by a wide margin!

[uufan]

As for today, Howard is numer one.

Friedel took two year brake from national team.
Knowing the way BA treats his ex-starting GK, KK is gone from national team picture.

[K.P.]

I believe Tim Howard is the best keeper in MLS, and that he will start for the U.S. in the 2006 world cup. I am doubtful Keller or Friedal will be in top form in four years time. I am surprised somone criticized Timmy's lack of focus. I also think his distribution is better than people realize, although it is hampered by the poor team the Metros have fielded most of the season.

The one area that I think Tim needs to work on is his positioning, especially because he tends to get beat to the near post, which I think is because he tends to cheat a bit.

As for his footskills, they are excellent for a keeper.

[firstshirt]

i saw tim a few times this year, he is a pretty good shot stopper, but I was amazed as some of his clearing kicks out of the back,,,they were simply aweful. I was at a Revs game and he punted the ball out of bound near his own 18, from inside his goal area. He is still not in the Keller, Friedel zone yet.

[jamesf24]

Originally posted by K.P.
I believe Tim Howard is the best keeper in MLS, and that he will start for the U.S. in the 2006 world cup. I am doubtful Keller or Friedal will be in top form in four years time. I am surprised somone criticized Timmy's lack of focus. I also think his distribution is better than people realize, although it is hampered by the poor team the Metros have fielded most of the season.

The one area that I think Tim needs to work on is his positioning, especially because he tends to get beat to the near post, which I think is because he tends to cheat a bit.

As for his footskills, they are excellent for a keeper.

Please, put the pipe down & then rethink this. :)

[firstshirt]

Originally posted by jamesf24


Please, put the pipe down & then rethink this. :)


now that gave me a chuckle!

[QuakeAttack]

Originally posted by Bruce S

Keller cheated? Friedel was often mentioned as the "next best" keeper to Kahn. And if you look at Sam's Army poll, Friedel was USA fans player of the WC, by a wide margin!

Well, I wouldn't consider Sam's Army to be an expert source of knowledge. Although Brad played well and had some of the most key saves in the tournment, he was not better than the German (Kahn), Brazilian (?), and Turkish (?) keepers. Brad was very average against Mexico and was consistantly poor on crosses into the box. We were very fortunate against Mexico that his mistakes didn't cost us the game...

However, back on topic...I don't see anyone in the MLS challenging Friedel or Keller in the next couple of years. Although Howard and others should get oppportunities to get capped, Howard needs to improve in a couple of areas (positioning and distribution) before making it past Friedel and Keller.

[passtheblizz]

Howard is the best keeper that we have. Playing for the Nats, his organizational duties would be greatly reduced...those guys know what they are doing. The Metros defense obviously does not. He isn't that bad. All goalies shank the ball once in a while (sometimes into the head of an opponent, bouncing the ball into the goal, ala Keller). In four years, Keller and Freidel will be old, and Howard will have four more years of experience, and possibly some in Europe (from what I have heard). He will be 28. By the time that he is 32, he will have lost his greatest asset; his physical ability. Friedel is going to get more timid. Keller is going to get even slower. The time for Howard is NOW, and while I am sure that both Friedel and Keller will both be capable in 2006, Tim should be keeping the nets for us in Germany. He keeps the ball out the best.

[Elninho]

36 isn't old for a goalkeeper. Some top goalkeepers don't even hit their peak until 33-35, and most goalkeepers stay right at the top of their game until almost 40.

About Tim Howard: for some reason he still doesn't inspire much confidence in me. He cheats off his line far too often (and thus gets beaten at the near post quite frequently), and his distribution isn't even up to Keller's standard. And as for claims that his organizational duties would be reduced: I don't think so. A national team needs a vocal leader in the back more than a club team does, because the players do not play together as often. Both Keller and Friedel are noted for their organizational abilities. Howard is not.

Howard will be competing with Friedel and Keller for the #1 spot in 2006. None of the three is likely to be clear #1 unless the other two are injured.