Soccer By Ives

Tim Howard answers the SBI Questions (Part 2 of 2)

 

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Four days. Two games. Two shutouts vs. Manchester United and Chelsea. Such is life for Tim Howard.

The U.S. national team goalkeeper posted another shutout on Wednesday, this time blanking Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to put a dent in the Blues' title hopes and adding another point to Everton's account. The draw came just four days after Howard helped guide Everton to the FA Cup final with a penalty kick victory vs. Manchester United.

Playing in England for a top teams means that matches such as those are a common occurrence for the 30-year-old New Jersey native, but that doesn't make gaining positive results any less thrilling.

As tough as Howard's schedule has been, he knows an especially tough stretch awaits beginning in late May. He will play for Everton in an FA Cup final on May 30th before joining the U.S. national team in Costa Rica for the first of two World Cup qualifiers in a week. He will then join the national team in South Africa, where the Americans will face Brazil, Italy and Egypt in the Confederations Cup. That stretch of matches will take place over the course of three weeks and provide just the latest series of tests for the former MetroStars standout.

Howard took time out to answer your questions in the latest installment of The SBI Questions. Here is Part Two of Howard's answers (Here is Part One):

Tim Howard Answers The SBI Questions (Part 1 of 2)

  

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What a difference a decade can make.

Ten years ago, Tim Howard was a young goalkeeping prospect serving his apprenticeship as a back-up with the 1999 New York/New Jersey MetroStars, one of the worst teams in MLS history. Today, Howard is the starting U.S. national team goalkeeper, playing in the best league in the world. No longer just a great prospect with a chance to be special. Howard is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and the best American player on the planet.

From his highly-publicized move to Manchester United almost six years ago, to his stunning performance in helping Everton upset Manchester United in last Sunday's FA Cup semifinals, Howard has enjoyed the kind of career that most players only dream of. It is easy to forget that he is still just 30, and has many more milestones to reach, such as playing in his first World Cup qualifier at Azteca and playing in his first World Cup.

Howard took time out from his busy week (which includes playing Chelsea on Wednesday) to answer The SBI Questions. Here is Part One (Part Two will come on Wednesday):

The SBI Questions: Ask Tim Howard

  

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The U.S. Men's national team is two months away from one of the busiest summers in recent memory, and no player will be more important to the team's success in World Cup qualifying and the Confederations Cup than Tim Howard.

As one of the national team's veteran leaders, and one of America's most respected players, Howard has seen his career blossom from his days as a young prospect on the MetroStars. The Everton standout and New Jersey native has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and as Argentina found out last summer, when he is at his best he can post a clean sheet against anybody.

Howard will be the newest subject for The SBI Questions, and will be taking questions from SBI readers. Simply post your questions for Howard in the comments section below and we here at SBI will select the best questions and ask them to Howard. Whether you want to ask about his days as a MetroStar, what it's like playing in the best league in the world, or what he thinks the U.S. national team's chances are this summer, send your questions our way and we will look to have Howard's answers next week.

Post your questions in the comments section below.

The SBI Questions: Joe Cannon Answers (Part Two)

 

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Whether it's making acrobatic saves on the field, or friending thousands of people on Facebook off the field, Joe Cannon likes to go all out in everything he does.

The 34-year old is easily one of the best goalkeepers in Major League Soccer and has no plans of slowing down. He still thinks about a future with the U.S. national team and is also glad to be back in San Jose, where he plans to end his career, an ending he doesn't see coming for at least three or four more years. Things are going pretty well for a player who boasts an MLS title (2001) and two MLS Goalkeeper of the Year awards (2002 and 2004) to his credit.

In the second installment of Cannon's edition of The SBI Questions, Cannon discusses, among other things, whether his full head of hair cost him national team chances, his Canadian roots, what his favorite bands are and the controversial handling of his contract situation by San Jose this past off-season.

Here are the rest of Joe Cannon's answer:

The SBI Questions: Joe Cannon Answers (Part 1)

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Along with being one of the best goalkeepers in Major League Soccer, Joe Cannon has always had a reputation for being one of the league's most outgoing and free-spirited players. The San Jose goalkeeper has never been afraid to speak his mind or voice an opinion, and that free-wheeling approach carries over into his play on the field.

Having played for the Colorado Rapids, Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes, Cannon has starred for three different fan-bases and won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors with two different clubs. A spell at RC Lens in the French first division has been Cannon's only time away from Major League Soccer, where he has established himself as arguably the best American goalkeeper in the world with a full head of hair.

Cannon shared his experiences and offered some insight into his career and development as a player in the latest episode of the SBI Questions. Never one to be short on something to say, Cannon provided enough insight to have his session split up into two parts (The other will run on Thursday).

In this installment, Cannon discusses his time in France, his favorite drink, his favorite goalkeepers growing up and his time in Los Angeles with the Galaxy (with some answers sure to cause a stir).

The SBI Questions: Ask Joe Cannon

 

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After having three representatives of the Eastern Conference take part in The SBI Questions, and three head coaches/technical directors to boot, it was time to find a West Coast-based player to participate. We found just the right man for the job.

San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind and he has agree to take part in The SBI Questions. For those of you unfamiliar, SBI readers are given the opportunity to submit questions to the subject, SBI selects the best questions and has the subject answer them in an interview. The anwers will then be posted later in the week.

Want to ask Cannon about his time with the Galaxy? His three years with Colorado? The time he spent with French club Lens? Post your questions for Cannon in the comments section below and we will select the best and ask Cannon to give his answers, which will be posted later this week.

Submit your questions below.

The SBI Questions: Denis Hamlett Answers

   

The path from uncompromising defender to head coach saw Denis Hamlett make the journey from the fields of MLS to the sidelines, where he is now the head coach of one of the top teams in MLS. Along the way the first black head coach in MLS has seen his share of memorable moments, including the construction of one of the league's most successful clubs.

Hamlett took time out from the Chicago Fire's pre-season to take part in the latest installment of The SBI Questions. The former Colorado Rapids defender answered questions on subjects ranging from where he plays Chris Rolfe to what he thinks of MLS teams bringing in more international players.

Here are Denis Hamlett's answers to The SBI Questions. Enjoy:

 

The SBI Questions: Ask Denis Hamlett

 

The Chicago Fire will be going into the 2009 MLS season as one of the top contenders for the MLS Cup title, and if the Fire is to win its first league title since its first season in 1998, Denis Hamlett will be the one leading the way.

The Fire head coach has spent the 11 seasons with the club, and the past year as head coach, and he has compiled a loaded team that should not only challenge the Columbus Crew for the league title, but also be a top contender in the CONCACAF Champions League and U.S. Open Cup.

Hamlett's time in MLS didn't begin with the Fire, but actually as a standout defender for the Colorado Rapids in 1996 before a stroke cut short his playing career after just one MLS season.

Some 12 years later, Hamlett has watched the Fire win numerous trophies as one of the league's most successful clubs and will now be shooting for his first trophy since taking over the club as head coach last year.

Hamlett is the latest subject for The SBI Questions. a new feature on SBI that consists of readers submitting questions and SBI selecting the best of them before presenting them to the interview subject. So far Juan Carlos Osorio and Peter Vermes have taken part and we are lining up another MLS coach for the next installment.

Please submit your soccer-related questions for Hamlett in the comments section below. The answers will be posted next week.

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The SBI Questions: Peter Vermes Answers (Part 2)

 

In this second part of Peter Vermes answers to The SBI Questions, the former MetroStars captain and World Cup veteran goes in depth to answer your questions on everything from his favorite swapped jersey to how he would help the United States develop better talent. He also discusses his first foray into European soccer, as well as the controversial ending of the very first playoff game in MLS history, between the New York Red Bulls and D.C. United.

Vermes doesn't hold back. Here are his answers. Enjoy:

MR. DERP- Thanks for taking the time Peter. I'm wondering: Is there a favorite jersey you've got from a post-match swap, and what do players do with all the shirts they collece throughout the years?

VERMES- I would have to say it was Franco Baresi, just because it was the World Cup, we were playing Italy in Rome. I don’t know how you get any better than that. We had an unbelievable environment and at that time he was THE defender in the world. He was the man.

What happens with the jerseys? There’s probably a lot of guys that are similar to me. If you’re a player and you’re constantly trading jerseys, normally you just pack them away until you eventually settle down and can pull them out and hang them on a wall somewhere and remember when.

The SBI Questions: Peter Vermes Answers (Part 1)

U.S. World Cup pioneer, MLS Cup champion and MLS squad builder. Peter Vermes has worn all those titles during his prestigious career in soccer, with his experiences in the game making him as close to a walking encyclopedia of the game as yo will find in American soccer today.

Vermes shared his knowledge and experiences with us in the latest installment of The SBI Questions. He shared so much in fact that this installment of The SBI Questions will be broken up into two parts, this part, and another part that will run on Thursday.

In this segment, Vermes discusses the 1990 World Cup, his pick for best American to ever wear the No. 10 jersey as well as his explanation for the Yura Movsisyan and Dave Van Den Bergh trades. Vermes didn't duck a single question and pulled no punches.

Here is the first portion of his answers to your questions:

JEFFREY- Hey Peter, loved your game as a player. Here goes: You are one of the few players to enjoy success both as a striker and as a central defender. Who was the best defender you ever played against? And who was the best forward you ever played against?

VERMES- The best defender I ever played against was in the ’90 World Cup, it was Franco Baresi. He played obviously for the national team, but also for AC Milan in their heyday with the three Flying Dutchmen. He was a different level that guy. We actually traded jerseys at the World Cup.

The SBI Questions: Ask Peter Vermes

 

When it comes to being able to discuss everything from the experience of playing in a World Cup, playing in Europe, winning an MLS Cup and building an MLS Cup contending team, there are few Americans who can speak from experience like Peter Vermes.

From his experience in the 1990 World Cup, when he started all three games and played every minute for the United States in its first World Cup appearance in 40 years, to his dream season helping lead the Kansas City Wizards to the 2000 MLS Cup title, Vermes has seen and done it all throughout his distinguished career.

Now the technical director of the Wizards, Vermes has become one of the most respected and sought-after executives in MLS. Courted by several clubs this past off-season, Vermes has chosen to stay in Kansas City and help build the Wizards into a championship contender.

Vermes is the latest interview subject for The SBI Questions, a new feature on SBI that will consist of readers submitting questions, SBI selecting the best of them before presenting them to the interview subject. Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio took part in the first installment of The SBI Questions and we are working on the next MLS/USMNT personality to take the hot seat.

Please submit your soccer-related questions for Vermes in the comments section below. The answers will be posted next week.

The SBI Questions: Osorio answers

The New York Red Bulls are less than a month away from starting the 2009 MLS season with the opening match vs. the Seattle Sounders and head coach Juan Carlos Osorio is as busy as a coach can be right now.

He has the Red Bulls in Argentina taking part in training while also continuing his search for defensive reinforcements. Osorio has spent every minute since the final whistle of MLS Cup 2008 trying to figure out how to strengthen a team that finished the regular season with a losing record and the reconstruction project is in full swing.

Osorio took some time out from that crazy schedule to answer some questions submitted by you, the SBI Readers. There were plenty of questions that went unanswered because of time constraints, but the ones Osorio did provide certainly give us some good insight into his plans and vision for the Red Bulls.

Here is the Osorio Q&A (comments in bold are SBI notes):

The SBI Questions: Ask Juan Carlos Osorio

 

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If you are a New York Red Bulls fan who has a bunch of questions about your team as we stand a month away from the start of the 2009 MLS season, fear not. Now is your chance to get some of those questions answered.

Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio will be taking part in a Q&A with SBI where you will be able to ask him about all things Red Bulls. Whether it's the search for a left back, the acquisition of Khano Smith, the formation he thinks will work best with the current Red Bulls roster, or another other team-related questions, SBI will select the best of the questions and have Osorio answer them.

Please try to keep the questions from being too long and try to limit your questions to one or two and keep them Red Bulls-related. We will try to have the answers to you within the next week.

Post your questions in the comments section below.