The 7 Best #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave

1 minute read

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 by Divock Origi of Belgium as Omar Gonzalez of the USA looks on during the national anthems prior 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.
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—EPA
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. eyes the ball after a save from Belgium's Kevin Mirallas during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim 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—Reuters
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. blocks a shot by Belgium's Kevin Mirallas during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim 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—Reuters
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the USA (R) makes a save during a cooling break 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.
Tim 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—EPA
Tim Howard of the United States makes a save 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.
Tim 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 Images
Tim 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.
Tim 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 Images
United States goalkeeper Tim Howard deflects a ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim 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—AP
United States' Omar Gonzalez (3) tries to defend as Belgium's Jan Vertonghen gets a shot on United States' goalkeeper Tim Howard during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Belgium and the USA at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador, Brazil, Tuesday, July 1, 2014.
Tim 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—AP
Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the U.S. saves a shot during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Belgium at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador, Brazil on July 1, 2014.
Tim 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—Reuters
USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal 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.
Tim 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—AP
Tim Howard reacts as 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.
Tim 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—AP
USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal 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.
Tim 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—EPA
Tim 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.
Tim 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 Images
USA's goalkeeper Tim Howard reacts as Belgium's players celebrate their goal 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.
Tim 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

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com