USMNT

Tim Howard’s presence in MLS was clearly felt during his return on Monday as the American goalkeeper registered a shutout in the 0-0 draw between Colorado Rapids, Howard’s new club, and the reigning MLS champion Portland Timbers.

Howard’s debut electrified Colorado’s fanbase — the club typically averages 14,978 spectators per match but had a season-best 18,759 attend Monday’s July 4th matchup.

Rapids fans were keen to see Howard and Jermaine Jones, both returning from Copa America action with the United States, take the field together for the first time for the club.

A quick disclaimer: producing live sports is a really, really hard job and it's a testament to the competence of the FOX Sports crew that mistakes like the ones they made Tuesday are rare enough as to be newsworthy. With that said, let's now make fun of them for screwing up.

The USMNT's loss to Argentina was depressing for a number of reasons, one of which was that FOX Sports seemed to be about as on their game as the USMNT, which is to say not very.

Lionel Messi scored his 55th goal for the Argentina National Team, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta and becoming Argentina's single all-time leading scorer in a 4-0 victory over the USA.

Honestly, it was not as bad of a blowout as we thought is would be.

Ezequiel Lavezzi opened the scoring in the third minute and Messi broke the record with a free kick just before halftime. Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in the second half and that was it.

Sometimes the stars align and things just go as they are supposed to. Sometimes heart wins over skills and fighting like a lion pays off against precise footwork.

This was the case during the last group stage match between the United States and Argentina in a warm Uruguayan night back in 1995. The Albiceleste lined up the likes of Gabriel Batitusta and featured Diego Simeone off the bench. 

There will not be any pressure on the USMNT Tuesday.

If they win, this is their moment. If they lose, they become part of Argentina's moment. That is a half-decent consolation prize.

Saying there's pressure on the USMNT against Argentina is like saying there is pressure on the bull in a bullfight. The bull is going to die anyway. It is up to the matador to perform.

There are established fan bases across America that all self proclaim themselves "greatest fans in America" like Red Sox Nation, the Cameron Crazies, Big Blue Nation, the Dawg Pound, the list is long and full of a lot of great fans. But there is a "new" kid in town that I feel is taking the nation by storm, and they call themselves the American Outlaws.

The USMNT will dispute Jermaine Jones' red card, the US Soccer Federation announced on Twitter earlier today.

An official protest has been filed against the cards issued to Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood in #USAvECU

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 17, 2016

The USMNT beat Ecuador 2-1 in a match that pretty much had everything. Clint Dempsey bagged a goal and an assist, Gyasi Zardes grabbed the second, and Michael Arroyo pulled one back for Ecuador to set up a grandstand finale. 

There was a point, after the USMNT had been destroyed by Brazil, lost to Mexico, drew Trinidad and Tobago and lost against Guatemala, that Jurgen Klinsmann's job seemed very much on the line. 

The dizzying heights of the 2014 World Cup seemed an eternity ago. The constant cut-and-paste approach that Klinsmann seemed to take resembled a six-year-old playing FIFA. The USMNT was at its lowest point in years. 

Don’t laugh, the United States of America has every reason to believe they can win the Copa America Centenario. Having clinched a birth in the quarter-finals, it’s as good a time as any to dissect this American squad. 

In Brad Guzan, they have one of the best goalkeepers on the continent. John Brooks absolutely nullified Paraguay in the most complete manner a defender can. Michael Bradley continues to grow in stature from his holding midfield role, and the USA boasts enough attacking options to trouble the entire Copa field.