Mad Brit Diary

Howard faces difficult challenge if he joins Manchester United.

(Friday, June 6, 2003) -- So American goalkeeper Tim Howard is moving to mighty Manchester United.

The British press is convinced it's just a matter of time before he signs on the dotted line for the biggest club on the planet. Go ahead Tim, you have nothing to lose, but you best be prepared to face the wrath of hell if you make mistakes. Howard, who is not the first American-born keeper to tryout for the goalie job at United (more on than later) will face intense pressure playing between the posts at Old Trafford, United's Cathedral of Dreams.

He will have 67,000 very critical fans watching his every move, not to mention the millions of fans glued to TV around the world. This is the very top of the game and Howard won't be given much room for errors. Howard was born with slight Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by, among other things, involuntary tics and vocal outbursts, such as swearing. Yep, he should do find in the English soccer.

Manchester United is plunged once again into a goalkeeper crisis and the Reds unbelievably are looking for hope in an a young American that coach Alex Ferguson has never seen play! Can Howard fill the shoes of Fabien Barthez, a seasoned veteran who played in the 2002 World Cup? Or even Roy Carroll who looked steady as United cross the finishing line to win the Premier League title this season.

Many have been and failed where Howard is now seeking to tread. But there's something about American keepers -- just look at Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller, Marcus Hahnemann and Jonny Walker -- that makes them succeed overseas.

Manchester United's problems began when Peter Schmeichel (August 1991-January 1999) moved on from the team after the club won the Champions League four years ago. No one has been able to replace the great Danish star who so dominated the Reds' goal mouth with his massive frame and ruthless commanding nature and probably suffered from something far worst than Tourette's syndrome. Since Schmeichel left, nine goalies have tried to fill those big shoes: Barthez (May 2000-present), Raimond van der Gouw (July 1996-June 2002), Paul Rachubka (January 2000-May 2002), Andy Goram (March-June 2001), Carroll (July 2001-present) , Ricardo (August 2002-present) , Massimo Taibi (August 1999-July 2000), Mark Bosnich (June 1999- January 2001) and Nick Culkin (July 2002).]

There's even an American in that list. Rachubka was born in the Californian town of San Luis Obispo, and came to England with his mother after his parents split when he was six. He was spotted by United playing in a youth league in Stockport when he was nine. He finally worked his way up the youth ranks to earn the No. 3 spot, but after just three games and spending a lot of time cleaning Schmeichel's boots, he never made it.

Rachubka, who is now keeping the substitutes bench warm at Charlton Athletic, made his debut for United at the World Club Championship in January 2000, playing for seven minutes in the 2-0 victory over South Melbourne before 90,000 fans at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He made his one start in the Premier League, replacing the injured Barthez in a flawless game against Leicester City in March of 2000.

Rachubka will never play for the States like Howard because he has represented England at the under-16, under-18 and under-20 levels. The question is can Howard do better than Rachubka's three games in a United shirt? The Mad Brit hopes so.

Tom Doebler makes some good points about David Beckham. He writes: "In my honest opinion, I think Manchester United would be fine without David Beckham. The midfield is swamped with players already. Phil Neville has proven he can play in the midfield and with Ryan Giggs (who I think is very valuable with his speed and left flank skill), Juan Veron (who needs to play every game to show his worth), Gunner Solskjaer (who can play on the right as well as up front), Nicky Butt (underrated), Paul Scholes (who should stay in the midfield and not as a striker), Roy Keane and even Quinton Fortune when he's fit. There are plenty of options. Beckham is more valuable, probably the most valuable marketing asset of any player in the world. More than Michael Jordan, more than Tiger Woods, more than Shaq, more than Ronaldo or Figo and even possibly more than clubs themselves. That is why Man. U.is holding on to Beckham.

"If it were to sell Beckham before the (summer's) American tour, that would hamper the publicity. The fans would come out to see the teams, but it's the non-soccer fans that United are worried about losing.

Knapp rambles on again: "I love the English Premier League too. I love U.S. Soccer. I love my country too. . . but I don't blindly promote everything because I love it. Facts are plain facts. When you base the English football player against the actual facts they just don't hold up. I don't understand how a whole country can just blindly follow the same path, year after year, decade after decade, with virtually nothing to show for it. Remember, I love the EPL and the English player. I want them to succeed. I also know what the definition of insanity is, "Doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.

"I think the English fan and media are insane. I guess Americans we don't dwell on tradition and how it used to be. We look for ways to compete now, with what we have, while looking to make things better in the process. I think the English and Italians are stuck in a historical rut."

Jonathan Eigen asks: "Has the Mad Brit seen Freddy Adu play. I have not, but I think the media and American soccer fans are getting way ahead of themselves. As a basketball fanatic, I have seen just as many hyped high school kids flop as make it, and the number that make it big is even less."

Bill S says: "I am a Dallas fan and noticed we NEVER have any members of the national team on our team. Can the MLS thrive with this obvious lack of balance?"

Tom Simpson writes: "As long as we (West Ham United) don't lose too many of the stars, we should be back playing Premiership football the following season. This summer could prove more painful than the drop if we lose the likes of Joe Cole and company. Fingers are crossed."

Heard a rumor, have a gripe or a tip? Feeling lonely? E-mail the Mad Brit at themadbrit3@aol.com.