Anyone who has watched the World Cup knows by now that U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard is our new national hero.
Howard saved 16 shots on goal in the game agains Belgium Tuesday afternoon, setting a World Cup record since record keeping began in 1966. And though the U.S. finally lost 2-1, the outcome would have been far grislier for the Americans if not for Howard’s brilliance between the posts.
After the game, Howard was deadpan.
“That’s my job,” he said of his goalkeeping the match’s immediate aftermath, according to MLS Soccer. “That’s what I signed up to do.”
What else could Tim Howard have saved? As usual, the internet has not disappointed. Here are some of the highlights, collected from Twitter.
But why stop there? What else could Howard save — Humpty Dumpty? The Mets? The last season of Lost?
U.S. Goalie Tim Howard's Heroic Effort in the World Cup
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the USA saves a shot during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014. Ali Haider—EPATim Howard of the United States reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. Sergio Moraes—ReutersTim Howard of the United States reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Belgium and the United States at Arena Fonte Nova on July 1, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. Ruben Sprich—ReutersTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Ali Haider—EPATim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Laurence Griffiths—Getty ImagesTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Jamie McDonald—Getty ImagesTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Themba Hadebe—APTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Marcio Jose Sanchez—APTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Ruben Sprich—ReutersTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Natacha Pisarenko—APTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Themba Hadebe—APTim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Ali Haider—EPATim Howard reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2014 round of 16 match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.Jamie McDonald—Getty ImagesTim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal during the match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014. Guillaume Horcajuelo—EPA
