http://www.northjersey.com/ Can't link directly - but select sports - soccer on the left -- there are two good articles by Ives Galarcep. I think this is one of the first times I've been bummed about a Yank going abroad - Howard is a lot of fun to watch game in and game out. Maybe it's also because we've -- been there, done that -- with regards to keepers so I think it's a little less exciting. OTOH, a Yank in the Champions League would be pretty cool.
This is fantastic news. As Galarcep said, this is a necessary step for Howard to continue to grow as a player. This is good for USMNT, good for Howard, and might influence more good athletes here to stick with goalkeeping as a potentially lucrative career. The only ones to lose here are the Metrostars and their fans. The money may help somewhat if spent wisely.
Man, the US likely has the best 3 goalie Nat tandem in the world now.... For many years into the future (hard to see a stop), US will likely be in the very top tier of goalie-producing countries.. AND, just imagine if some of our top athletes in OTHER sports were into soccer.....it would be sick, just sick....(sorry guys, but there is no way that soccer is getting the best athletes in US, although they are getting better and better (as athletes)..Howard being prime example...
I realize this might be obvious to everyone else, but this transfer strikes me as being a very big thing for MLS. Not saying that's it'll lead to a flood of transfers. But it might make future transfers a bit easier to negotiate and a bit more lucrative for the league.
It is significant, no doubt, but would be bigger if it were a field player...still living under old reps on that one..
theroetically, it would make sense for them to start taking some strikers too. if our goalies are the best in the world then the people scoring on them must be pretty good too. but alas, jri is right, same old rep
Given the market of the last year, $3 million is a very nice statement about ManU's belief in Howard. So by my math _ which deals entirely on with imaginary numbers _ it should be a good deal both financially and in terms of devo if he's on the bench as a number 2. He'll get FA and league cup games, and Charity Shield and a good number of league games sandwiched around CC league games. He should be able to get up to 20 or so, and toss in a few reserve matches and some nats matches and staying sharp shouldn't be too large an issue. Course, if he's #1 it's better.
I am very happy for Tim Howard but upset at the same time since I am a MetroStars fan and he is a lot of fun to watch.
Remember back about a month ago in one of Da Bruce's interviews, he mentioned that for MLS to become truly successful, some of the younger starts would have to leave and become successful in Europe. I know we hate to see Tim-MAY go but all for the greater good....
Uh, we are talking about ONE goalie (who MLS' folks had trouble scoring on) so I don't quite get your point... Also, until recently (and it still really exists- at least a little) you'd have to be on Mars not to know that the American field player was not as highly regarded as players from many parts of the world...geographic discrimination, if you will (even though clearly American field players had caught way up on the skills department).. But, of course, you'd rather be a wise-ass on my post...
Dude, you are right on. It may be a bit difficult to imagine transferring an athlete's skills from football, basketball or baseball onto a soccer field, but perhaps a big reason why U.S. goalkeepers are so good is because athletes in this country grow up using their hands to catch and throw balls that these players excel. Landon Donovan and DaMarcus Beasley are feared by opposing teams because of their speed. But, they are no way as fast as NFL WRs or DBs. U.S. soccer athletes are fourth tier athletes (behind football, basketball, baseball) at best. The U.S. would absolutely dominate world soccer if soccer was even the second or third choice sport in this country.
I think Howard is the best keeper I have ever seen at saving Penalty kicks. Of course he is overall stellar, but this has really impressed me. Peace out, Timmy, make us proud.
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/man_united/story.jsp?story=410207 From over here. Looks done and done, pending the Hungarian passport thingy.
They say he's appeared in only one match, that's all wrong. I believe it is either 6-7, though the point is well taken.
I have been reading the Howard posts and I am really surprised that no one seems to be interested in the history of Man U promoting a number 2 or reserve keeper to No. 1. I do not think he will start out as the number 1, and unlike an earlier poster, I don't think he'll get any premiership games this year... just some early league cup and FA cup ties, I should think. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, and I do understand the argument that if Man U is shelling out 2 mil. pounds, they probably have plans for him. On the other hand, there simply is not a history at Utd of developing young keepers to take over as number 1. I wish him the best, and while I like him very much as the MEtros keeper, I think we will be better if our keeper isn't taking up the max salary under our cap and we distribute the available salary space wisely. This could be a very good move for Tim and US soccer, and it could also be a bust. I have seen very little discussion about the possible down sides.
As for down sides, Da Bruce has stated that first team football is the only way on to the USMNT. Tim-MAY will not be the first team keeper, at least initially. I don't think that reserve keeper for Man Utd would prevent Tim-MAY from being USMNT keeper for WC2006. I think Da Bruce recognizes the monster talent and, just as he did for Keller and Friedel, he'll overlook his first-team rule for Howard.
I sure hope this goes through and all the Hungarian passport stuff works cos I'd love to see TH playing for ManU. The English have never really been to helpful with regards to US players and their situations.
Why the widespread assumption that Howard will not be the #1 keeper? If it is because of his age, he is not that young. Keller shined at Leicester City when he was not much older. With regards to talent, he is already very good and still improving. He may not be at Friedel's current level, or at Schmeichel's level when he was in the nets for United, but I would argue that he is better than Barthez has been (at least for the past season). Yes, I know Barthez has won [insert list here], but I'm not claiming he is a no-talent bungler--just that Howard currently is better. SAF and co. may not be bidding for Timmy as a backup. Rather, Man U may be bringing him in with the expectation that he will compete for #1. I am not saying that SAF is guaranteeing anything, but it makes sense considering: * since it looks like Barthez (and the other GKs on the roster) are out, the position is up for grabs * SAF must think Howard is good enough, since he is trying to sign Howard early. (This isn't a case of settling for Howard after a bunch of other summer transfer deals didn't work out. At the very least, Howard may be SAF's baseline, allowing Man U to go after a higher profile GK with a set ceiling offer.) * since the Dane left, Man U has tried to identify and insert an established GK, but has not been completely satisfied with any of the attempts * Howard has shown well for club and country, and indications are that he is fundamentally sound and still improving I can see the logic of bringing in 2 or 3 and letting them battle for the spot throughout the year, in the hope that one will stand out.
Are you really comparing ManU and Leicester City? The differences between those two clubs is the reason why people think Howard may not start.
And here I thought that SAF wanted a Yank keeper because he got sick and tired of watching other American Goalkeepers stone his forwards and decided he wanted one of those [joker]"wonderful toys"[/joker] for himself
And here I thought that SAF wanted a Yank keeper because he got sick and tired of watching other American Goalkeepers stone his forwards and decided he wanted one of those [joker]"wonderful toys"[/joker] for himself