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Everton & USA Goalkeeper Tim Howard Bitterly Disappointed Following World Cup 2010 Exit
We need to improve further, says American...
Jun 28, 2010 8:30:00 AM
By Adithya Ananth
Everton and USA goalkeeper Tim Howard is saddened that his country bowed out of the World Cup 2010 thanks to a loss to Ghana in the last 16 of the competition.
The Americans had emerged on top of Group C ahead of England to set up a clash with the African nation in the last 16. And many pundits had tipped the North American nation to get past their opponents, with a semi-final appearance even tipped.
However, they stumbled against Ghana as the challengers won 2-1 in extra time to seal a spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
"We were on the front foot, I felt like we were on the ascendancy when we got the goal," said Howard, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.
"We got a few chances and really pinned them back in the second half which we knew we would. It was just a bridge too far for us. We can’t keep producing these magical moments because you just run out of gas."
The Toffees shot-stopper believes that the US must now take their improvement to another level if they are to be feared and respected around the world.
"I think that has shown in the last month and certainly in the last year with the Confederations Cup. We’ve gotten better but still have a long way to go," he said.
"I think it’s about seizing the opportunity when we get it. We had good opportunities, we felt like, in all the games. We were certainly right in the thick of it and I think that’s the next level for US soccer.
"We need to get to the point where we can start dictating the tempo and telling other teams to get on our playing field."
The 2010 World Cup is fast approaching, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
The Americans had emerged on top of Group C ahead of England to set up a clash with the African nation in the last 16. And many pundits had tipped the North American nation to get past their opponents, with a semi-final appearance even tipped.
However, they stumbled against Ghana as the challengers won 2-1 in extra time to seal a spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
"We were on the front foot, I felt like we were on the ascendancy when we got the goal," said Howard, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.
"We got a few chances and really pinned them back in the second half which we knew we would. It was just a bridge too far for us. We can’t keep producing these magical moments because you just run out of gas."
The Toffees shot-stopper believes that the US must now take their improvement to another level if they are to be feared and respected around the world.
"I think that has shown in the last month and certainly in the last year with the Confederations Cup. We’ve gotten better but still have a long way to go," he said.
"I think it’s about seizing the opportunity when we get it. We had good opportunities, we felt like, in all the games. We were certainly right in the thick of it and I think that’s the next level for US soccer.
"We need to get to the point where we can start dictating the tempo and telling other teams to get on our playing field."
The 2010 World Cup is fast approaching, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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