Belgium may have defeated the United States in their World Cup match Tuesday, but as far as Twitter was concerned, U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was the winner, with his extraordinary 16 saves β the most since World Cup record-keeping began in 1966.
Twitter exploded with admiration for Howard's super saves as the match went into extra time. Tweets ranged from calling Howard the "next American sports hero" to a "machine" to pics of him as president of the U.S.
By the end of the match, "Tim Howard" was trending atop the social media site, with users in disbelief of the New Jersey 35-year-old's ability to lean the correct way almost every time the ball was fired at his goal.
Tim Howard is a super hero and the American flag is his capeοΏ½οΏ½ β Leah (@ultimatedivamnm) July 1, 2014
we all know the real winner is Tim Howard β Meagan Murphy (@megamurphss) July 1, 2014
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It's more like Belgium vs Tim Howard. β Alvarado (@erik_alva28) July 1, 2014
Tim Howard saved me 15% on my car insurance. He's that good. #WorldCup #FIFA β Jimmy Holt (@jimmyktown) July 1, 2014
FIFA just ruled out Tim Howard for extra time for not being from planet earth, and therefore, not American. β Nolan (@nolancox) July 1, 2014
No matter what the result of this extra time/PK's, Tim Howard is and should be the next American sports hero. This is unreal. β DΞNT (@daltonantley) July 1, 2014
Tim Howard is awesome. β Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 1, 2014
It doesn't get any more American than Tim Howard right now β Carson Tinker (@carsontink) July 1, 2014
Tim Howard pic.twitter.com/qdmJJD0n0f β True Soccer Life (@trueSCRlife) July 1, 2014
Tim Howard is a machine but also human..How many more saves can he make! #WorldCup2014 #TeamUSA β Scott Foster (@RockstarScott) July 1, 2014
Great goal keeping by Howard! Gooooo #TeamUSA β California Gal (@RightCaliWomen) July 1, 2014
Again, ready to spend an inappropriately emotional amount of money on a Tim Howard jersey. β AbdelRahman Murphy (@AbdelRahmanM) July 1, 2014
Tim Howard could even save Dumb and Dumber 2. β Jon Gold (@TheCoolSub) July 1, 2014
This game has been brought to you by Tim Howard pic.twitter.com/AsYHIPgCiT (Photo via @USATsportsImage) #USAvsBEL β NewsHour (@NewsHour) July 1, 2014
Tim Howard's blocking skills are insane! Can't believe how many he has blocked. #USAvsBelgium β David Archuleta (@DavidArchie) July 1, 2014
Obama Reaction to Tim Howard's saves pic.twitter.com/OXHNRmgmsc β Troll Football (@Troll__Football) July 1, 2014
new photo of tim howard pic.twitter.com/w3OMpptxV6 β Jey Z (@TehReelHov) July 1, 2014