One of the players who will be on the radar at the MLS All-Star Game in none other than Tim Howard, the goalkeeper for the league’s squad tasked with trying to keep his goal scoreless against Real Madrid this Wednesday, August 2 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Despite Cristiano Ronaldo not playing, Howard will face one of the most lethal attacks currently in world soccer. The Blancos still feature attackers such a Karim Benzema, Isco, Gareth Bale, Mateo Kovacic, Luca Modric, or Marco Asensio, capable of destroying any defense and score a sack of goals on any goalkeeper.
“I am not worried about being the goalkeeper facing Real Madrid, but I am sure I will have a very busy day,” said Howard on Monday after the first practice for the MLS All-Stars on the campus of UIC in Chicago.
The Colorado Rapids keeper, selected as a starter of the All-Star game after a popular vote, says the big winners will be the fans, and that he expects a very offensive match.
“It will be a very fun match for the fans,” says Howard. “I believe there are many, very good attackers on both teams. We will try and do the best possible to avoid being scored on, but at the same time to be able to score on them.”
Despite facing the current La Liga champions, twice-defending UEFA Champions League champions, and FIFA Club World Cup champions, that also comes in wounded and looking for its first win of the preseason after its latest loss to Barcelona in El Clasico in Miami, Howard says they will not renounce anything against Real Madrid.
“We want to enjoy it but at the same time we want to win the match,” said Howard, for whom this is not the first encounter with Real Madrid.
“I played previously against Real Madrid in a friendly when I was in England. This will be my second time,” concludes Howard, who played for Manchester United and Everton in the Premier League.