Tim Howard puts damper on USMNTs dream World Cup hopes with sobering reality
The USA has been on a tear at the World Cup. The Group D winners are through to the round of 32.They were the second team to clinch their spot in the next round. With spirits high, many are asking if the USA can make a run of a lifetime and maybe lift their first World Cup in the country’s history. One USA soccer legend is bringing this hype train to a grinding halt.
One of the greatest World Cup goalies, Tim Howard, believes that it is “literally impossible” for the USA to shock the soccer world. “The U.S.cannot, unequivocally, win the World Cup,” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer Podcast on Saturday, debating with Landon Donovan.
“The U.S.will have to play the greatest game they’ve ever played [four] times in a row.
They’re going to have to beat [four] world soccer powerhouses in a row… The round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals.It is literally impossible for the U.S.
to win the World Cup… That’s just the reality.”Howard featured in three World Cups with the national team.His most noteworthy appearance came in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.He broke the record for most saves in a World Cup match with 16.
Those heroics in 2014 almost saw the USA beat Belgium to make the quarterfinals.But the offense was unable to break down Belgium, leading to a 2-1 loss in extra time. His former teammate, Donovan, did not go as far as to call the chances impossible, but he did agree that it is highly unlikely for the US to beat multiple quality teams in a row. Every match of the FIFA World Cup will air on either FOX or FOX Sports 1.
If you don’t have cable, you can take advantage of a DIRECTV free trial to stream it all.Prefer to check out the action live and in person? Shop World Cup 2026 tickets on SeatGeek and make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout if you’re a first-time SeatGeek user.But while both former players agreed that the US might have to face four higher-ranked nations, the actua...