Joel already has a long list of accomplishments that almost equal Tim Howard's, such as winning the FA Cup with Wigan, winning the U-21 World Cup this year with Spain and playing for Spain as every level U-23 and below. He has had great experience and great men teaching him, and he's only 23, Howard is the ripe age of 34.
Howard did win an FA Cup and League Title with Manchester United in 2004 but was soon replaced by a new GK the next year. He also won the FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Glove in 2009 and had the best save in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011. In that light Howard may seem like a better No.1 than Joel, but keep in mind that Howard is 10 years older.
All USA fans will hope that this new challenge for Howard will only make him better in time for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he will face all kinds of strikers who will test him in various ways. He has competition on the US Men's National Team as well with Rimando having a great showing between the sticks this CONCACAF Gold Cup. (The video below will show you his acrobatic double save). I would say that this competition for Howard can only mean good things for the USA as they look towards Brazil in 2014.
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