Nice article in SI re: Howard/Nistlerooy

[imasyko]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2003/07/31/manutd_preview/

The Howard stuff is pretty banal, but to me, the quotes from Ruud about wanting to improve are interesting. BAsed on the two games I have seen on this tour, he's as good as anyone at his position right now. I have yet to see him lose the ball to the opposition, no matter where he has been on the field. I guess I really haven't given him credit before now, preferring to believe that anyone could score a lot of goals with the surrounding cast he has. I was wrong.

[Coheed&Cambria]

EXCELLENT article.

[Labdarugo]

"It will complete a remarkable rise from obscurity for Howard, 24, the third-choice keeper for the United States behind Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller. "

It's a remarkable rise, yes, but not exactly "a remarkable rise from obscurity." What a stoopid thing to say!

[Mac_Howard]

RvN improved considerably over the last third of last season. His ball control was not good a season ago and he was poor at holding it up while colleagues came forward to support him. But his ball control, his running with the ball and his willingness to work for the team have all improved considerably.

He obviously works very hard on his game but I would like to see him:

1) use that powerful shot and take a crack from outside the box more often

2) Use his height, improve his aerial ability and challenge for more high balls in the box

3) continue to improve generally

It's not often you see a player with such talent still willing to improve and I suspect we haven't seen the best from him yet.