With the World Cup right around the corner, Post columnist Steve Serby and Team USA goalkeeper Tim Howard kicked around some Q&A.
Q: What are the chances the U.S. can shock the world?
A: I don’t see why not. There are a lot of steps before we get that far. We got a tough group with three tough opponents [Germany, Portugal and Ghana]…There’s a long way to go before we lift a trophy, but you have to take it step by step.
Q: What do you know about Ghana?
A: We know a lot. They knocked us out of the last two World Cups. Physically, they match up well with us. I think most teams that we come up against can’t match us physically, I think they’ll be able to do that. They’ve got some really good individual players. We seem to be wary of them, we think, on the counterattack, but anything goes. They could change their style to kinda shake things up, so I think we’re prepared for that.
Q: What do you like best about your team?
A: I like the fact that we’re young. We’re inexperienced, but I also think sometimes experience can be baggage. And we’ve got some young guys who are hungry to prove themselves on a world stage. It’s a good mix. We’ve got some good solid veterans as well.
Q: Describe Michael Bradley.
A: Michael’s our engine. He’s the one who is willing to do three and four jobs. He’ll run himself into the ground. He’s our key cog, he’s right in the heart of it. He makes the team kinda tick. Everyone feeds off of that energy.
Q: Who might be an unsung hero?
A: Well, we have a few of ’em. A guy like [Mikkel] Mix Diskerud is a confident kid but he seems to have even more confidence, scored a goal against Azerbaijan, and has looked well and performed well. Hopefully he’ll shine.
Q: Describe how intense the level of pressure is in the World Cup.
A: For most of us, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen because of the intensity of the media and the world, particularly your home country. But I think more than anything for us players, we know how important the World Cup is to our careers, so we put a lot of pressure on ourselves.
Q: Can you describe the intensity during a match?
A: It’s tough to describe because it doesn’t happen very often. For most of us, it’s the biggest match or matches we’ll ever play. And so anything we know in terms of passion and intensity is heightened tenfold.
Q: Was that a motivational ploy by coach Juergen Klinsmann saying the U.S. has no chance to win the World Cup?
A: Coaches do that all the time, I’m not really 1,000 percent sure why it’s a big deal. Players do it, you know? It’s not much of a taking point.
Q: What are you expecting weather-wise in Brazil?
A: We’re pretty much prepared for everything.
Q: What are your three best moments in soccer?
A: 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal against Spain. We beat Spain — best team in the world by a mile, hadn’t lost in 35, 36 games. No. 2 would be the 2007 [CONCACAF] Gold Cup Final in Chicago, we beat Mexico 2-1. Third would be Everton FA Cup Final, we lost 2-1 to Chelsea…It was an amazing game, but unfortunately we lost, can’t win ’em all.
Q: In the 2010 World Cup opener, you needed a painkiller for your rib injury.
A: Yeah, I try to forget those. That one hurt…1-1 against England, who they were saying was the top team in our group, so that was an important game for us. I was familiar with the opponent because I played in England for the last 10-odd years, so it was a special moment for me.
Q: You had gotten kicked in the ribs, right?
A: Yeah. It wasn’t easy, but obviously, that’s what the painkillers are for.
Q: Your best saves?
A: Against Miami Fusion versus a guy named Diego Serna. And one against Frank Lampard at Chelsea a couple of seasons back.
Q: What was it about those two?
A: Just the pace of the ball and then the short reaction time. You make hundreds and hundreds of saves, it’s hard to pick one or two.
Q: You learned you had Tourette syndrome in sixth grade. What message would you give to kids that have Tourette’s?
A: Like I always say, it’s not something that would stop you from achieving your dreams. And so I think whether you have it or you don’t have it, it’s something that is secondary to what you want to accomplish, no matter what that is. I wanted to be a soccer player, I wanted to do it at the highest level. There was never any doubt that that would happen because of TS. It’s not a stop sign by any stretch of the imagination.
Q: Do you see yourself as an inspiration?
A: That’s what some people tell me, which is great. I enjoy being a role model for kids.
Q: Describe playing for the MetroStars from 1998-2003.
A: It was my hometown team, so I loved it. I felt so much pressure playing at home, in front of friends and family that would come every week for the games. It was a great start for me for my professional career. Where I’m from [North Brunswick, N.J.] there’s a lot of expectation, and as a young kid I felt that.
Q: You played with the New Jersey Imperials the year before that.
A: (Chuckle) We had to chase the geese off the field. I learned my trade, I learned it well. I’m thankful for some of those early opportunities where not a lot’s given to you, you kinda have to find your way. I think that’s important for a young player.
Q: What were the expectations playing for Manchester United, where you played from 2003-07?
A: Yeah, expectations continued to rise when I signed for Manchester. I think you just want test yourself, and I had opportunity to do that all throughout my career. There’s pressure every single day when you walk into training ’cause you’re playing with the players in the world, one of the greatest managers to ever coach, so I was very fortunate to be in that position.
Q: Give me your scouting report on you right now.
A: That’s a tough one. I am who I am. I think I do all facets of the game pretty well, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.
Q: How do you explain your longevity in this sport?
A: Humility and hard work, I think that’s the only thing that gives you longevity and consistency. I try and stay grounded and realizing you’re not the best, and always trying to strive for that.
Q: You’re 35 now. I read somewhere that you want to be on a beach at age 40.
A: Amen to that. I just signed a two-year extension, so I have four years left at Everton. That’ll be a huge crossroads for me, I think that’ll be a time I’d like to say goodbye and do something else. But who knows? It changes year to year.
Q: Who are athletes in other sports you admire?
A: I grew up a Michael Jordan fan, that was my first idol. But my true sports idol was Deion Sanders, he was the person I always wanted to be. I wanted to play two sports professionally, which would never happen, but to me that was every kid’s dream.
Q: Boyhood dream?
A: To play for the Knicks.
Q: Favorite Knicks?
A: I grew up with the team of Allan Houston, LJ [Larry Johnson], [Patrick] Ewing, John Starks. I’d probably have to say it was John Starks.
Q: Did you go to the Garden a lot?
A: When I was a kid, yeah. That was like Christmas, [being] able to go to the Garden.
Q: What do you think about Phil Jackson being hired as team president?
A: I’m excited. He’s back into his spiritual home, so hopefully he will shake things up, and we’ll get to winning some big games.
Q: As a Giants fan, who did you like?
A: I grew up in the good old days — ’86 and‘90-91 and all the rest of it.
Q: You played basketball against former Chicago Bull Jay Williams in high school.
A: He’s the best player I’ve ever seen. We beat his team, but he was brilliant.
Q: What position did you play?
A: Small forward.
Q: Did you get any offers?
A: A few local colleges, but soccer kinda took off, so I think it scared all the basketball coaches off.
Q: What was it like being drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters?
A: Very cool life experience…One day maybe.
Q: You’re going to keep that option open?
A: (Chuckle) If they will, I will.
Q: Did you meet some of them?
A: At Everton this year, got to meet a couple of guys, which is cool. I love watching ’em.
Q: Do you think you would be a good Globetrotter?
A: I’d hold my own in some respects.
Q: Your son Jacob is 7, your daughter Alivia is 7. Which one has your personality?
A: (Laugh) Jacob has my personality for sure.
Q: In what way?
A: He’s a shy kid. He’s very very determined, particularly when it comes to sports. He hates losing, so I definitely know where he got that from.
Q: And what’s Alivia like?
A: She’s like the Tasmanian Devil times 10. She’s a whirlwind. She’s full of life. It’s thrilling to see, but I’m not sure where she got it from. It’s fantastic.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: JFK, Martin Luther King, Frank Sinatra.
Q: Why Sinatra?
A: We need entertainment, don’t we?
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Shawshank Redemption.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: “Denzel Washington.”
Q: Favorite singer/entertainer?
A: Zac Brown.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Pizza.
Q: What would you want to say to American soccer fans as you embark on this historic journey?
A: Enjoy the ride. It’s gonna be fun, it’s gonna be exciting, be a lot of twists and turns, but that’s what makes the World Cup amazing.