Washington, DC – The Obama Administration was quick to capitalize on the instant fame of the 35-year-old Tim Howard exploding on the Internet after the goalie became the face of the US soccer by notching a World Cup record of 16 saves in the team’s loss to Belgium in the ongoing 2014 World Cup in Brazil on Tuesday.
President Barack Obama called, “US Men’s National Team captain Clint Dempsey and goalkeeper Tim Howard to commend them on their leadership and the team’s performance during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.”
According to a readout from the White House, the president, “commended them not only for their work on the field, but for carrying themselves in a way that made the country proud.”
“The President noted how captivating the team’s performance was and asked both men to relay his congratulations to Coach Klinsmann and the entire team on their hard work,” the readout noted.
With the Wikipedia trolls started naming Howard as the US secretary of defense after his record saves on the field, the US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called him today, “to thank him for defending the United States of America at the World Cup.”
According to the Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby, “Secretary Hagel congratulated Howard on his record-breaking game and a great run in Brazil. He invited Howard and the entire team to come to the Pentagon later this year. He told Howard that with some training, he could someday become the real secretary of defense.”
While the US squad eventually succumbed 2-1 in extra time, Howard’s performance generated an avalanche of accolades on the Internet in a nation that traditionally obsesses over baseball, basketball and American football.
With his new Twitter handle @TimHowardGK, Howard clocked in with nearly 558,000 followers and tweeted on Wednesday, “Thanks for the memories Brazil!!” In addition to being an overnight social-media sensation, the shaved head but bearded and tattooed US goalkeeper appeared on various TV shows and accumulated a shower of praise for himself and his team.
Shyama Mandal, a soccer fan since his childhood, told India America Today, “Soccer in US finally comes of age.” Going down the memory lane, Mandal said, “I remember in the early 90s, we could watch the game only in the conference rooms of international organizations such as the IMF and the World Bank or in the embassies. During this World Cup, you can watch the game almost anywhere – offices, stores, in-flight. Even the radio talk show hosts could not ignore it.”
Hill Nandi, an ardent soccer fan said with optimism, “It’s a proud moment for us to compete at this level and leave a mark at the world arena. Earlier the US has gone to the round of 16 in two consecutive world cups but could not make it past that hurdle. It’s a proud moment for us to compete at this level and leave a mark at the world arena. I am confident we will see more success with team US in the future.”
“The US team is ranked 13 above many soccer-famed nations. Luck will sure favor us in future games. Viva America,” concluded Mandal.