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Howard keyed up for World Cup challenge

USA's number 1 says team can produce 'magic moments'

Tim Howard is in positive mood as he and the United States national team prepare for their World Cup opener against Ghana on Monday.

The Blues' goalkeeper feels that the Americans are capable of gaining revenge for their defeat to the West African nation in South Africa four years ago which would put them in with a good chance of getting out of the so-called "group of death".

The US were drawn along with highly-fancied Germany, Portugal and the team that has knocked them out of the last two World Cups, Ghana.

Howard feels that the team's Group G schedule is a favourable one, though, particularly if they can get off to a dream start with a win.

“The way our group is stacked up, we play Ghana first, then Portugal and Germany,” Howard says. “I like the layout of the group, I think it works in our favour. I feel like if we can get three points in our first game, that really sets us off.”

The 35 year-old also believes that he and his teammates can hold their own against their much-vaunted opponents and that they're capable of producing the kind of magic that the world's biggest football tournament can produce.

“The players in our group pose a huge threat to any goalkeeper," he continues. "The names are household names now and as a team we have to get the tactics right. You never try to stop one particular player; you have to stop a group of players. The World Cup is all about magic moments and I think we have players who can do that too.”

The Americans come into the tournament in good of form having won three warm-up matches on the bounce and Howard admits that he is feeling good about the Stars and Stripes' prospects.

"I'm a dreamer by nature," he tells ESPN, "so I see it going really well. I think about getting through to the next round and putting [2010] right. Quite frankly we should have gotten through the second round in South Africa so I think this team is capable of doing that.

"So, I see it going well. That's the only way I allow myself to think."

The US and Belgium were set to play a low-key, behind-closed-doors friendly this week to keep both teams sharp before they start their respective group campaigns next week but the game was called off.

Quotes sourced from Liverpool Echo

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