US Men's National Team first choice goalkeeper Tom Howard has explained that being between the sticks is a lot easier when you have strength in front of you. "As a goalkeeper, you're only as good as the defenders in front of you. Carlos (Bocanegra) and Oguchi (Onyewu) have been amazing in the games so far, but so have our midfielders and forwards. We've been defending in packs and pushing the other teams into positions they don't want to be in. We've been clicking defensively and doing well to not let our opponents get comfortable," the Everton No1 told fifa.com.

When asked why America seems to produce world class keepers Howard also replied: "I think at the end of the day it's about producing good athletes in America, and good athletes tend to become good goalkeepers."

In partnership with: