This World Cup has been unlike any other. With Germany's shocking defeat to Paraguay and Spain being held to a draw by surprise package Cape Verde, football fans around the world have been proven wrong.
Even the famous prediction game, where fans pick match results to climb the rankings, has been thrown into chaos.
Because of that, nearly every prediction and pre-tournament expectation has been completely dismantled.
However, many legendary players often disagree with comments made by their fellow teammates or compatriots.
Yes, a former USMNT legend responded to the criticism made by Tim Howard before the World Cup.
Eric Wynalda responds to Tim Howard’s early statement about the USMNT
This isn’t about defending the man widely regarded as the best USMNT goalkeeper. It’s simply easier to speak once the results are in, what footballers call ‘Monday’s newspaper,’ meaning hindsight makes it clear whether predictions were right or wrong.
Tim Howard spoke with Friday’s newspaper before the World Cup, and he was not wrong. The USMNT did not seem like a candidate, but its power and offensive balance were known.
Despite this, the former MLS legend, who scored the first goal of the renamed league, did not step back.
“He said winning the World Cup is impossible. Nothing is impossible, Tim. And when you look at the teams that, as some of the guys you were mentioning earlier in the program, the Mbappés of the world, right? Messi, if he even lasts that long, but let's see how that goes. Erling Haaland is a handful, but his team might let him down.”
Also, this is true. France has the best offensive power with Mbappe, Olise, and Dembele. Argentina has the most complete team, but it is too Messi-dependent. The USMNT is the most balanced team, with few individual highlights but more of a collective team.
Nevertheless, the former USMNT legend stays firm with his opinion:
“But talent level, team, chemistry, culture, all those things matter, Dan. Our team is ready for this. I said it six months ago. I thought we had a chance to reach the semifinals. People called me crazy. I'm still going to stand by that. I think this team can go very far in this competition.”
That it can go far, yes. I have them in the quarter-finals. I don’t want to be a bad person, but either Portugal or Spain will reach the semifinals from that bracket.
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