Tim Howard

[Metrogo]

As a metros fan, I am very happy to have him in a red and black kit. However, he is just not yet an international class keeper. He's shaky, his disitribution was pretty miserable, and he doesn't seem to realize that he has some responsibility for organizing the defense. He has time to develop for sure, but I'm not a believer at this point. If you think the US of A is OK in the keeper department, think again. I'm just not convinced that past Freidel and Keller, we have someone who is ready to step in.

[L127]

Agree in the distribution department. He just was punting away the ball with no intention of getting it to anybody. I guess he was happy to have just made a save. His reactions to shots is real good. After he has the ball and before a shot is made, he needs a little work. How old? He has time.

[Metros Striker10]

I believe he had a really great game. He just needs to improve his passing, something that comes with age. He made a lot of great saves that I don't remember seeing him do this past season with the Metros. Maybe a few more caps with the US will help him with the passing.

[Karl K]

As an athlete, Howard is top notch; his reaction times and physical abilities are outstanding. I think he is also technically quite good, though he was a bit too far off his line on the Gonzales goal, but I understand why he did it.

His weaknesses are in distribution--particularly punting for accuracy, a skill Friedel has mastered-- and organizing a defense. Howard was much more effective when he threw the ball.

Organizing the defense comes with experience. We had a very young defense out there, with a very young goalkeeper. We will make mistakes borne of inexperience.

But there is no doubt that Howard is eminenly capable of bailing his team out.

[GIO17]

Also don't forget that the last two matches that Timmy Started Nick Rimando subbed him out at Halftime.

The boys did look a little shaky earlier on, but I though Timmy looked very good out there and let's face it shall we, if it wasn't for that spectacular one handed save in the 2nd half, that was a sure goal.

That's why MLS is here and that's why Timmy will improve match in, match out. Maybe Rimando will start against Jamaica, but other than that if Timmy gets another chance on Wednesday, he will get the rust off completly.

[Ghost]

I thought his distribution was weak in the first half. I've never seen every punt won by one side before, but it seemed to happen yesterday. YOIu'd think by sherer probablility we would have won one. But mathematics isn't factoring in Landon and DOughboy as the forwards. Makes you think about how valuable McBride is.

But when he went to making long throws after half, he sprung several dangerous (in a relative sense) counbterattacking opportunities.

[The Wanderer]

Originally posted by Karl Keller
though he was a bit too far off his line on the Gonzales goal, but I understand why he did it.


Well, the guy was through 1 v 1 on goal, so I think coming off his line a little was called for. That shot was unstoppable the way it bent in---I sure as hell don't think Friedel or Keller would have saved it.

[MD_05]

i think he's got a lot a raw talent (reactions, strength, etc...) but he need to develop and improve a lot to be the man for the national team. So my question is, do the Metros have a goalkeepers coach or someone that could share some knowledge and keep working on his game?

[Sachin]

On the goal, Howard had no choice but to come off his line as the entire defense was off taking a powder.

As for his distribution, it would have helped to have one player up there who could win a head ball. His long throws to DMB at midfield were great. Too bad DMB didn't do anything with them.

Sachin

[thacharger]

I think Tim Howard played an excellent game. I want to mention he is still very young for an International keeper. His reactions and natural abillity are second to none. He is the keeper of the future. His pass was shaky, but let me ask you this, how many times did we pass the ball (a back-pass) back to Friedel in the World Cup? I can remember one time, and he just booted it up field.

[jelliot]

I think it is time that we give a look at Hanneman, Jonny Walker, Adin Brown, and Nick Rimondo on the International stage.

[Metrogo]

Agree on the quick reaction time, but I thought his positioning was also a bit off at times (not on the goal, that was unstoppable) and he was also indecisive at times. He won't be starting at a big Euro club any time soon.

And on that stop, sure it was a good save, but, contrary to Gio's proclamation, most good keepers are going to make that stop most of the time.

[Tejas]

In my opinion I think we are going to be in good hands with Howard for years to come. If it wasn't for his fantastic shot stopping skills he wouldn't even be in the mix at this point. Distribution and organization are products of experience. I'm simply happy that we have a young keeper who looks like he could eventually live up to the same standards that we expect from Friedel and Keller.

[afgrijselijkheid]

i like howard too and i consider him our current #3, but isnt anybody gonna fault him for getting caught wandering off the line on the goal besides me and BA?

1 v 1?!?! id call that an exxageration seeing as how the shot came from nearly 25 yards and luchi was not by the last defender

[bungadiri]

Originally posted by bluedaddy19
i like howard too and i consider him our current #3, but isnt anybody gonna fault him for getting caught wandering off the line on the goal besides me and BA?
I read Arena's comments and the fact that he says Gonzalez(?) did a good job catching him off his line is not necessarily faulting him for being off his line. As I (elsewhere) and others in this thread have pointed out, the shot came in the middle of a total defensive breakdown. Keeper gets hung out to dry like that, he doesn't have much choice but to come out and cut down the angle. It also looked like he was trying to recover from the ball having quickly moved to the shooter. The guy took advantage of a bad (US) situation by making a great shot. It doesn't automatically follow that Howard was the creator of the bad situation.

[The Wanderer]

Howard, Cannon, Rimando, Walker, Jordan, Brown or whoever are just competing for the third spot to sit on the bench and to have dibs for 2008 WC qualifying. The odds of both Friedel and Keller being injured at the same time seem pretty unlikely.

[afgrijselijkheid]

i never said he created the defensive breakdown - he was CAUGHT off the line - as in luchi saw him out a little and took advantage with a nice shot (note i also never said gonzalez didnt do a good job - he did)

[Sachin]

Originally posted by bluedaddy19
i never said he created the defensive breakdown - he was CAUGHT off the line - as in luchi saw him out a little and took advantage with a nice shot (note i also never said gonzalez didnt do a good job - he did)

But Howard wasn't caught off the line. He CAME off the line to cut down the angle. Believe me, it happened right in front of me. Howard did the right thing as did Gonzalez.

Sachin

[Gooner]

In spite of what some of you thought you saw he saved two and let one in. At best this is hardly enough of an outing to crown him number 3.

[Karl K]

Don't misunderstand...as I said, I understood why he came off his line, for all the good reasons outlined by posters above. He came out for good reason, but "was caught off" his line by the shot.

It was acceptable decision in a tough situation.