It's hard not to respect Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller and all they have done for the Nats, but after watching Tim Howard in several games this season I think an argument can now be made that Tim is beginning to equal them if not surpass them in skill. I know the EPL vs MLS quality arguments will be thrown about, but not only do I think that Tim is ready for Nat duty, but he could start and excel in most premier league teams given his current level of play. Thoughts?
Superior shot stopper. I just worry about his positioning and ability to distribute out of the back. Experience should cure these problems.
Agreed Bert. I was trying to think of something to knock him on to temper my opinion, but its really hard to get past his shot stopping skills. I honestly haven't watched him on distribution, so he might fall short of Brad in that respect.
Watch a tape of tonight's game against the Burn. He often turned the ball over after making a save. He needs to calm the team down better after pressure is applied. But he's young and he'll get better.
All true. He may be better than Brad and Kasey were at 25, or however old he is now. The Metros certainly leave him for dead on many occasions every game- seems to has helped his ability to make unbelievable saves.
How is he with the ball at his feet, under pressure? I'll never forget that goal Keller gave the Tricolores in qualifying... was it '97?
Howard is 23 years old. He was born in March of 1979. When you consider that Keepers usually hit their prime around 28-30, Howard's current level is even more impressive. With that being said, even as a huge Tim Howard fan, I don't think it's right to say he's better than Keller or Friedal right now based on his great performances in MLS. Yes, Howard carries his team. Keller and Friedal do the same thing, in one of the top leagues in the world. Howard will get to and hopefully surpass the level of the other two, but he's only 23. Give it time. JMac
If Howard peaks at 28, that would be sick. He's a monster in the net and a legitimate form of intimidation to anyone else on the field. Plus he has the agility to make amazing saves. Work on the distribution/patience and get some USNT experience and I think he'll rip it up in for years to come.
Howard should, and will, get some games for the US over the next few years. Whether or not he is able to supplant Brad and Kasey by 2006 is debateable. Remember, both will still be in their mid-thirties, likely still playing regualrly in top leagues. I wouldn't be surprised to see both of them still firmly in the picture in 2006 as they are not likely to suffer much if any deterioration by then. I expect Howard to make the squad and fight for time, but unless he improves his mental game, which takes time and experience as everybody is saying, he's not going to be ready to knock off guys of the quality we already have. There are a whole lot of older goalies out there still going strong. They just don't need the young legs that players who run around all day need. And, I hate to say it, but without going to Europe soon so that he can actually get playing time for a couple years before the cup, I don't like his chances of getting a lot of meaningful playing time until 2010.
Howard will probably be a great keeper...right now he is a real athletic guy who makes unbelievable reaction saves.....his organization of the backline is horrible and his distribution of the ball needs a lot of work...plus, he has a big problem of losing focus for stretches.....like it has been said...he is 23 and this will work itself out in time...but, I don't think it is time to run Keller and Friedel for '06......they will still be young enough to run the show.....
Just to compare big three careers with Timmy. By age of 23: TM was star on national team GK, while playing to club soccer to speak of. He was 2 years out of UV and already played on WC. BF was on national team program played at 92 Olympics. No club soccer to speak of. 3 year out of UCLA KK was not on USA team. Starting GK on first division team (level slightly better than today MLS). Year out of UP. The point is that Timmy has a lot more club experience by age of 23 than all 3 them.
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.
East Brunswick? Isn't he a North Brunswick guy? I grew up there and my parents still live there and T Howard is the closest thing to a celebrity we have. East Brunswick has a good school system, shopping and nice neighborhoods. North Brunswick doesn't. We need Tim Howard.
Why do you say that? In 2010, he'll be 30-31, prime age for a GK. Currently, there is no one in his age chort that matches up to him. Sachin
His peak level will likely be higher than that of KK's and BF's but right now he just doesn't have the experience. He'll be the mainstay in 2010 qualifiers and the 2010 WC barring injury.
I guess I was thinking that if he wants to play a role in 2006, he needs to get over there fast. if he wants to wait untiol 2010, he's got a bit more time. And I agree that in 2010 at 30-31 is when we'll see him take over, provided we don't get any surprises on the horizon. (a pretty big assumption, actually)
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
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!
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.
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.
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.