Americans Abroad

Howard returns to goal, has quiet night as Man. United blanks Charlton 2-0.

MANCHESTER, England (Wednesday, April 21, 2004) -- Woody Allen once theorized that 90 percent of life is just showing up. That wisdom might turn out quite well for United States goalkeeper Tim Howard in his effort to regain his starting job at Manchester United.

After a month's spell on the bench, Howard received his chance to show up in the United net last night for a 2-0 whitewash of visiting Charlton Athletic before 67,477 at Old Trafford. Though Howard had little to do in posting his 15th shutout of the season, just his presence was enough for him to vault back into the competition with Roy Carroll to play in United's biggest remaining match -- the FA Cup final against Millwall May 22.

The only save Howard was required to make was on a long-range shot by Claus Jensen. Paul Konchesky had a promising chance for Charlton, but his shot sailed wide.

"I've not got a definite thought in my mind about the Cup final," United manager Alex Ferguson said today. "Tim Howard came back in on Tuesday. I thought it was time to see how he has recovered from his time out of the team. There are going to be opportunities there.''

Louis Saha scored in the 28th minute and Gary Neville in the 65th minute for United.

Without the knowledge of Manchester United, approximately 400 Greater Manchester police officers were dispatched to last night's match at Old Trafford after a series of raids around the country turned up information that the game might be the target of a terrorist attack -- and possibly the use of chemical weapons. Ten persons arrested in those raids had tickets for Saturday's home match with Liverpool, it was reported.

After Howard shocked observers by earning the starting job at the start of the season, forcing French World Cup goalkeeper Fabien Barthez back to France, Ferguson decided to bench the American after a 4-1 loss March 14 to Manchester City. Five days earlier, Howard gave up a rebound goal in the closing moments that allowed FC Porto of Portugal to eliminate United from the European Champions League Round of 16.

While United (22-7-5, 71 points) is virtually eliminated from the English Premier League title race, trailing Arsenal (24-0-9) by 10 points with four games remaining -- five for Arsenal -- United trails Chelsea (22-6-6) by only one point for second place. By finishing second in the EPL instead of third, a team would avoid early qualifying rounds in next season's Champions League.

The British media has speculated Howard will be in goal for Man. U. against Liverpool Saturday.

Carroll was solid in goal, leading United to a 3-0-1 record and the elimination of Arsenal in the FA Cup semifinals after being handed the starting job. He wasn't as strong Saturday in a painful 1-0 loss at relegation-challenged Portsmouth.

Gary Davidson is SoccerTimes' managing editor. E-mail Gary Davidson.