View Full Version : Tim Howard hurt at training ?
Going Mobile
15 Jun 2008, 02:42 AM
Was at the Chivas game tonight and that was the scuttlebut around the stadium. Guzan who was supposed to start for Chivas tonight got pulled at the last minute because Howard got hurt today.
Prime Time
15 Jun 2008, 04:26 AM
We'll find out in a few hours. I am confident Guzan can do a good enough job against Barbados, however, I still want El Pato Howard in goal for us tomorrow.
babytiger2001
15 Jun 2008, 06:03 AM
Have not seen anything in the news about it yet, even after a Google news search, but we'll see what happens when the L.A. papers get updated online a few hours from this writing.
But all things considered, if the USA is going to control the attacking play against an overmatched opponent, as should happen, it might not matter who our goalkeeper is, whether it's Howard or Guzan.
In fact, Timmy might even play, even at 80 percent or so. I don't think he's going to be tested very much.
FnordUnitedFC
15 Jun 2008, 07:26 AM
Was at the Chivas game tonight and that was the scuttlebut around the stadium. Guzan who was supposed to start for Chivas tonight got pulled at the last minute because Howard got hurt today.
Hopefully Howard is fine, but, ultimately, it won't matter who is minding the nets tomorrow. Whoever it is will need a lawn chair and reading material.
russ
15 Jun 2008, 07:28 AM
Or he was just asked to spend the night before the first WCQ w/ the team.I wouldn't be surprised to see Guzan play a little even if Howard starts.
babytiger2001
15 Jun 2008, 07:42 AM
Hopefully Howard is fine, but, ultimately, it won't matter who is minding the nets tomorrow. Whoever it is will need a lawn chair and reading material.
Personally, I would recommend a hammock. And a sunblock with a very high SPF factor. :)
Jwaksman
15 Jun 2008, 08:01 AM
Or he was just asked to spend the night before the first WCQ w/ the team.I wouldn't be surprised to see Guzan play a little even if Howard starts.
I agree. I'd like to see Guzan get in for the second half of at least one of the Barbados games, even if Howard is completely healthy... If the difference between us beating and losing to Barbados is Tim Howard then we have bigger problems than an injury in camp...
scottinkc
15 Jun 2008, 08:19 AM
It's a qualifier, one of those things which help with getting that 75% thing for a work permit. How would it look at Guzan's appeal if you have to say, "Yeah, Howard was hurt, but we had to play him because we didn't think Brad could handle the Barbados attack. But we think he'd be great for you, Martin O'Neill."?
I would hope that unless Howard is 100% percent fit to go, Brad would start. Even more so since his club had to do without him last night.
diablodelsol
15 Jun 2008, 08:32 AM
Good thing we've got Cervi as our number 3.
FnordUnitedFC
15 Jun 2008, 09:07 AM
Or he was just asked to spend the night before the first WCQ w/ the team.I wouldn't be surprised to see Guzan play a little even if Howard starts.
Why waste 1 of 3 subs on a GK? Either start Guzan one of the games or don't let him play.
Nermalthecat
15 Jun 2008, 10:08 AM
Why waste 1 of 3 subs on a GK? Either start Guzan one of the games or don't let him play.
Agreed. Let's win the home leg 5-0 or so and then he can have a nice trip to the Caribbean and a start in goal in the return leg.
onefineesq
15 Jun 2008, 10:11 AM
Have not seen anything in the news about it yet, even after a Google news search, but we'll see what happens when the L.A. papers get updated online a few hours from this writing.
But all things considered, if the USA is going to control the attacking play against an overmatched opponent, as should happen, it might not matter who our goalkeeper is, whether it's Howard or Guzan.
In fact, Timmy might even play, even at 80 percent or so. I don't think he's going to be tested very much. Sorry, but if Howard is 80% there is no way in hell it makes sense to start him. That would be foolish to the nth degree. If he tweaks whatever injury that he "may" have at the game on a regular innocuous play, then what? You waste a sub in a qualifier on the keeper? Playing injured players simply doesn't make sense. An 80% Howard is not our best option.
Nermalthecat
15 Jun 2008, 10:13 AM
Sorry, but if Howard is 80% there is no way in hell it makes sense to start him. That would be foolish to the nth degree. If he tweaks whatever injury that he "may" have at the game on a regular innocuous play, then what? You waste a sub in a qualifier on the keeper? Playing injured players simply doesn't make sense. An 80% Howard is not our best option.
I may agree with you overall, but in a vacuum, Howard at 80% is still significantly better than Guzan. Not to hijack the thread, but I hope Howard stays healthy for the next two WC cycles because I don't think Guzan rates at all.
Going Mobile
15 Jun 2008, 10:13 AM
Or he was just asked to spend the night before the first WCQ w/ the team.I wouldn't be surprised to see Guzan play a little even if Howard starts.
had the same thought BUT Sascha played the full 90 for Chivas after he was announced as being unavailable for the game the day before, by Chivas.
onefineesq
15 Jun 2008, 10:19 AM
I may agree with you overall, but in a vacuum, Howard at 80% is still significantly better than Guzan. Not to hijack the thread, but I hope Howard stays healthy for the next two WC cycles because I don't think Guzan rates at all. At 80%, no he isn't. A guy who may be great, but loses 1/5 of his mobility or quickness in some area? If he's not healthy, you don't play him.
Jwaksman
15 Jun 2008, 10:26 AM
I may agree with you overall, but in a vacuum, Howard at 80% is still significantly better than Guzan. Not to hijack the thread, but I hope Howard stays healthy for the next two WC cycles because I don't think Guzan rates at all.
You're right, but you're still wrong. Yes, an 80% Howard is still better than Guzan. But when your opponent is Barbados, you start Guzan over an 80% Howard. No reason to risk making the injury worse when there's a decent chance that our goalie won't face a tough save the entire match. Better to get Howard healthy in advance of more important games.
If this were the World Cup, you'd start an 80% Howard over Guzan. But not today - not against such an atrocious opponent.
USvsIRELAND
15 Jun 2008, 10:30 AM
I have full confidence in El Guzano.
Start him if Howard is hurt.
He's a fantastic goalie already and has a really bright future ahead of him.
Red Card
15 Jun 2008, 10:36 AM
Where did 80% come from? And what does 80% mean? Does it mean he cannot make a diving save for example? Or does it mean he cannot leap to snare a cross? What does 80% mean exactly?
Jwaksman
15 Jun 2008, 10:40 AM
Where did 80% come from? And what does 80% mean? Does it mean he cannot make a diving save for example? Or does it mean he cannot leap to snare a cross? What does 80% mean exactly?
It doesn't mean anything. 56.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
The point is simply that a slightly injured Howard is still better than Guzan, but against Barbados it's better to be safe to keep Timmy from hurting himself further.
appoo
15 Jun 2008, 10:42 AM
At 80%, no he isn't. A guy who may be great, but loses 1/5 of his mobility or quickness in some area? If he's not healthy, you don't play him.
I wonder if Thomas Rongen has learned this lesson yet...:rolleyes: