Getty Images I got myself in just a little hot water out of the Twitter faucet last night. Nothing major; let’s call it just ankle deep. Still, I should probably clarify – because I have a blog and can do that.
What I said:
I know this is sacrilege, but here goes … the goalkeeping opposite Tim Howard’s end has been better tonight. There, I said it #USMNT
A few people took that to mean that Howard was somehow at fault at FedEx in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss. Not at all. He wasn’t deficient with any of the foursome of Brazilian blasts. If we’re picking nits here, I would like to have seen Howard come up with something special on one of the last two goals. He guessed on Marcelo’s 52nd minute screamer from close range and then couldn’t turn away Alexandre Pato’s 87th minute, uncontested blast.
Neither represented a “bad” moment. The U.S. defense and unreliable midfield pressure against high-quality attackers was at the core of flimsiness, of giving up four at home, not any shaky backstopping.
All I meant was that debuting goalkeeper Rafael, at the other end, had a wonderful night. He pulled a “Tim Howard” against Tim Howard’s side.
Rafael’s double save in the 77th minute (foiling efforts from Herculez Gomez and Terrence Boyd) was something special. Ditto for the Brazilian goalkeeper’s 85th minute save on a Michael Bradley header.
But don’t take my word for it … see for yourself. Here are the match highlights.
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- sluggo271 - May 31, 2012 at 10:31 AM
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Spot on!! I would like to know this. Does Howard have to earn his spot or is it automatic?
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- Steve Davis - May 31, 2012 at 10:44 AM
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Well, yes he must “earn” his spot like everyone else. But, honestly, who can challenge him? Brad Guzan … who doesn’t have a starting role at this point? Nick Rimando, a very good U.S. goalkeeper but not a starter at Howard’s (EPL) level?
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- term3186 - May 31, 2012 at 11:18 AM
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Yeah. I have to agree. The Brazilian keeper definitely stood on his head tonight. Howard didn’t make any mistakes, but he didn’t really come up with any spectacular saves either. The Brazilian keeper, however, made at least three fantastic saves. Well done. He was better that night. I don’t do the whole twitter thing, but I hope you aren’t catching too much flak for it. The facts is the facts. Analysis was spot on.
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- chadmoon1 - May 31, 2012 at 1:00 PM
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You were correct in your assessment Steve. The Brazilian keeper was better, and Howard wasn’t at fault on the goals. It would have been nice to see him pull of the great save that he is capable of though. He could have kept out at least one of those goals with his usual spectacularness.
