<p>Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">United States men’s national team</a> goalkeeper Tim Howard has given his support for the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in soccer. The former star <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/everton-tv-schedule/">Everton</a> shot-stopper even claimed that it is “low hanging fruit” to constantly complain about the technology. Howard made the comments in an article for <em>Mail Sport</em>.</p>



<p>VAR has been a heated topic of debate for fans, players, and coaches ever since it was introduced in the sport. FIFA initially approved the use of the replay technology ahead of the 2018 World Cup. It is now in use in most of the top soccer competitions, both club and international, around the globe.</p>



<h2>Howard proclaims to be ‘big fan’ of VAR but technology needs improving</h2>



<p>Howard initiated his thoughts on VAR by addressing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/nottingham-forest-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Nottingham Forest</a>‘s unique social media complaints at the weekend. The English side <a href="https://twitter.com/NFFC/status/1782056187652960764" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publicly</a> criticized the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>‘s officiating after three separate incidents went against them. Forest claimed that VAR Stuart Atwell is a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/luton-town-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Luton Town</a> fan and he failed to award Forest <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/euro-2024/attwell-taylor-selected-to-ref-euro-2024-days-after-epl-debacle/">three penalties</a> due to his apparent allegiance. Forest and Luton are currently fighting to avoid relegation in the standings.</p>



<p>The former USMNT star backed Forest’s public comments on the issue by stating that he “understands the gripe.” Howard continued by admitting that he is aware that many fans disagree with the club’s approach to their concerns. Nevertheless, despite understanding Forest’s claims, the former goalkeeper is still a “big fan” of VAR.</p>



<p>“We used to complain that the technology was there and we weren’t using it,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13341057/TIM-HOWARD-WONT-failure-Arsenal-miss-Premier-League-title-plus-remain-BIG-fan-VAR.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Howard. “So now the question should not be: technology vs. no technology. Only: how do we make it better? The technology is still operated by humans and that means you’re going to get wrong decisions. But for the most part VAR works.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240424_WST_503174_Tim-Howard-NBC-1200x670_7113bfaa.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-503237" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Tim-Howard-NBC-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Tim-Howard-NBC-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Tim-Howard-NBC-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/04/Tim-Howard-NBC.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>“The introduction of semi-automatic offsides will help speed it up and take away human error. And to me, it is low hanging fruit to complain about it all the time. We’d moan if we didn’t have it!”</p>



<h2>English fans have lower support for VAR due to refs involved</h2>



<p>Howard is certainly correct in asserting that fans, players, and coaches griped about refereeing decisions before VAR. Officiating will almost always be a main talking point in games, particularly close matchups. These complaints will occur whether the technology is in use or not. However, the use of replay and semi-automated offside does still help referees make correct calls.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.statista.com/chart/30699/public-opinion-of-var/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent study</a> showed that a majority of European soccer supporters approved the use of VAR in their specific leagues. 70% of fans in Italy, Spain, and France agreed that the technology has made the sport more fair. Nevertheless, of the top five leagues in the continent, English fans had the lowest appreciation for VAR (62%).</p>



<p>This figure would indicate that there is perhaps more of an issue with the people running the technology, rather than VAR itself. Replay technology, due to human error, cannot exactly be perfect. However, having competent and reliable people in charge of VAR certainly raises the accuracy level of the technology.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

Tim Howard backs VAR, says complaints occur with or without tech

Former United States men's national team and Everton star goalkeeper Tim Howard has given his support for the use of VAR in soccer.

<p>Former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">United States men’s national team</a> star Tim Howard has made some interesting comments regarding <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a>. The American made the remarks in an article for the <em>Daily Mail</em>. Howard recently revealed a partnership with the British news outlet, which will see him author articles regarding a plethora of soccer topics.</p>



<p>In his most recent column, the former goalkeeper discussed the business side of the North American league. Howard claimed that while the MLS regularly features parity, he would rather see more dynasties in the division. He referenced the popularity in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a>, where the top flight features ‘Big Six’ clubs. These teams currently win a majority of the domestic trophies in England.</p>



<h2>Inter Miami expected to be at the top of the MLS standings in 2024</h2>



<p>This is where <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-miami-tv-schedule/">Inter Miami</a> comes in. The Floridian side now has several stars in the squad after the recent signing of Luis Suarez. The striker is added to an already star-studded lineup that includes Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. </p>



<p>While some fans may already be tired of hearing about Messi and Miami, Howard asserts that the team will continue to boost the league in 2024. “Miami can drag the rest of MLS upward – the league will flourish because of Messi and the commercial success and the branding,” <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13006149/Tim-Howard-exclusive-Lionel-Messi-Inter-Miami-MLS.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Howard. “While you have that, you have to just drill it from every side.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240130_WST_486341_Howard-Goalkeeper-MLS-1200x670_45515865.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-486379" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Howard-Goalkeeper-MLS-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Howard-Goalkeeper-MLS-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Howard-Goalkeeper-MLS-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/Howard-Goalkeeper-MLS.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>Nevertheless, the former goalkeeper also claimed that MLS needs to act fast in building up other teams in the division. “Messi is 36 – if he goes in a couple of years, and Busquets, Alba and Suarez go with him, what next?” asks Howard. “We have to strike while the iron’s hot. We have Messi, then the 2026 World Cup, then the fallout. We’re talking about a five-year space when you can really capitalize.”</p>



<h2>Howard compares MLS salary cap to Ronaldo’s wages in Saudi Arabia</h2>



<p>A key feature of capitalizing on this growth for MLS, according to Howard, means increasing the current salary cap. “For the 2023 season, the budget for MLS clubs was $5.21 million, with the average player earning no more than $651,250 a year. Cristiano Ronaldo nearly makes that in a DAY in Saudi Arabia. $220 million a year… it’s crazy money,” continued Howard. </p>



<p>“And, over in England, Premier League champions <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> spent more than $500 million on player wages last season.”</p>



<p>The current <em>NBC Sports</em> analyst went even further to call for larger American markets to be able to flex their financial muscles. “If I’m an owner of an MLS team, and I’m into it for half a billion dollars, I should be able to spend money creating a superpower,” Howard stated. “Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle – there are major cities with everything you need.”</p>



<p>MLS will not adhere to Howard’s claims anytime soon. Nevertheless, he may not be wrong in his salary cap opinions. Having more money to spend allows clubs to attract better players. We saw this last summer with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/saudi-pro-league-tv-schedule/">Saudi Pro League</a> prying several major stars away from typical European powerhouses.</p>



<p>The Middle Eastern league is currently a direct rival to MLS at the moment. The two divisions are widely seen as two of the top destinations for stars considering playing outside of Europe. However, Saudi Arabia may soon pull away from MLS if they continue to grow their league shortly.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

Tim Howard says MLS must increase salary cap and spend more

Former USMNT star Tim Howard claims that Major League Soccer needs to increase their salary cap to allow clubs to spend more money.


<p>Former United States men’s national team star Tim Howard has asserted that Christian Pulisic did not get a fair chance at <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a>. Pulisic recently departed the Blues after spending four seasons with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> side. Chelsea previously paid <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Borussia Dortmund</a> around $73 million for the playmaker. However, the club then sold the American to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> in July for $22 million.</p>



<p>Howard made the claims of Chelsea’s bias while on the <em>Offside with Taylor Twellman</em> podcast. “For as much as people want to say that the landscape has changed for Americans, it has not,” <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/usmnt-american-academies-with-tim-howard/id1696346528?i=1000627883454" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Howard.</p>



<p>“I think Christian Pulisic did a brilliant job. When he was called upon in that Chelsea team, if he was Dutch or Italian or anything else, he’d still be in the team. He wouldn’t be the first one pulled off the pitch, he wouldn’t be a substitute.”</p>



<h2>Howard says Pulisic played well in limited minutes at Chelsea</h2>



<p>Pulisic started his Chelsea career with a fairly successful freshman campaign. The American managed to grab 13 combined goals and assists in 25 league appearances. Pulisic was in the starting lineup in 19 of these 25 matches. However, the USMNT star’s playing time soon began to dwindle.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Christian Pulisic blasts Chelsea level against Liverpool | Premier League | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4t3cTf2kdBA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>He received a similar amount of total playing time in 2020/21. However, Pulisic earned fewer Premier League starts. His total minutes then continued to drop during his final two campaigns with the club. The American played just 823 total minutes in Premier League play last season.</p>



<p>Pulisic’s goal involvement in the league with Chelsea also plummeted as well. The playmaker averaged a goal or assist every 132 minutes in the Premier League during his first season with the club. Nevertheless, this statistic dropped to an unimpressive goal involvement every 406 minutes during his final English campaign.</p>



<h5>Matt Turner also hints at a bias during time with Arsenal</h5>



<p>Howard’s comments came just days after current USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner made similar remarks about himself. Turner departed <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> this summer after spending just one season as Aaron Ramsdale’s backup. </p>



<p>“Towards the end of the season, I felt like there were games that I could have been playing that I wasn’t even getting really a sniff of them,” <a href="https://prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2023/09/05/usmnt-forest-gk-turner-on-leaving-arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated Turner</a>. “I was training really well. I felt like I was doing everything in my power to get myself minutes on the team and that just wasn’t happening for me.”</p>



<p>Turner’s move to Nottingham Forest afforded him an instant starting role. He has two wins in his four starts, including a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.</p>



<p>“I knew that if I waited another year, it would probably have been more challenging for me to make a lateral move within the Premier League. So I knew that time was of the essence at that point. If I went another season without playing, I would have probably had to take a step back and once you’re out of it, it’s hard to get back into it, especially when you’re not English.”</p>



<p>Turner has performed fairly well with Nottingham Forest so far this season. This includes keeping a clean sheet against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Pulisic has also fared well in Italy. The American has already netted two goals in three <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> games with Milan.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Tim Howard claims Chelsea coaches were biased against Pulisic

Former USMNT star goalkeeper Tim Howard has recently asserted that Chelsea was biased against Christian Pulisic because he is American.


<p>Tim Howard, who hails from New Jersey, asserted on Thursday that his home state is the clear pick to host the 2026 World Cup Final. He strongly advocated for the match to take place at MetLife Stadium. Not only that, but he claims that the New York and New Jersey region is the best soccer area in North America.</p>



<p>“Growing up here, playing on the streets of New Jersey and watching the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Cup</a> in 1994 – the New York/New Jersey area is the greatest soccer hotbed in North America.</p>



<p>“And we’ve proven that time and time again. In terms of what New York/New Jersey means to the world, the fact that we can host the final – for me it’s an absolute must”, he said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a Premier League mini-pitch in Kearny, New Jersey.</p>



<h2>Howard joins New York City Mayor’s push as best soccer area in America</h2>



<p>Howard made his name with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars prior to his successful stints with Manchester United and Everton in the Premier League. Now he joins an increasing number of advocates supporting New Jersey as the host site for the game.</p>



<p>Earlier, in May, a joint campaign was launched by New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, aiming to bring the grand spectacle of soccer to the East Coast.</p>



<p>“The biggest stage on the globe, there’s no place like New York/New Jersey, we’re going to bring the World Cup here,” Adams said in Manhattan’s Times Square.&nbsp;“Eight games I believe we’re going to have. We need to have the final here.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New Jersey governor Phil Murphy wants to bring Premier League games to the US. <a href="https://twitter.com/GovMurphy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovMurphy</a> compares it to what the NFL is doing in Europe. No thanks ❌<a href="https://t.co/ROuFhAu7bJ">https://t.co/ROuFhAu7bJ</a></p>— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1683881539996733440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>MetLife Stadium has chances at hosting the final</h5>



<p>Both Los Angeles (at SoFi Stadium) and Dallas (at AT&amp;T Stadium) have been mentioned as potential hosts for the World Cup final. SoFi, home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, was deemed too narrow by FIFA in the past.</p>



<p>Despite being selected as one of 16 tournament host locations last year, the stadium may not be able to accommodate the championship game following a 63-foot expansion of its breadth.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="SOCCERTOWN USA--AN AMERICAN SOCCER DOCUMENTARY" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/havPy5C2XIU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>The Times have pointed out that if the pitch dimensions of SoFi are increased, the stadium’s capacity would drop to just 70,000, much below the 80,000 people that FIFA requires for finals. With that, Howard has a good shot at his dream of having the game played at MetLife Stadium.</p>



<p><em>Photo: IMAGO / Sportsphoto</em></p>


Former goalkeeper Tim Howard says that the best soccer area in North America is the New York and New Jersey region of the US.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Tim Howard"

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Tim Howard backs VAR, says complaints occur with or without tech

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Tim Howard says MLS must increase salary cap and spend more

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Tim Howard claims Chelsea coaches were biased against Pulisic

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Tim Howard: New York, New Jersey best soccer area in America