After he turned in a performance for the ages during the U.S.’s 2-1 loss in extra time to Belgium on Tuesday, U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was “randomly” drug tested. His performance was so epic that he was briefly tagged as the Secretary of Defense on Wikipedia and Americans suggested that President Barack Obama put at the U.S.-Mexico border to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.
Howard, after making 16 saves, which were the most ever recorded in the World Cup, said he “got dragged into drug-testing” after match. FIFA has been accused of “suspicious” drug-testing procedures that have enraged even Maradona. For instance, though only three players on each team are supposed to be “randomly” tested after every match, FIFA tested seven Costa Rican players after Costa Rica shocked Italy in Group play.
Howard made his remarks on Tuesday’s Mike and Mike on ESPN with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic. Here’s the relevant part of the transcript, courtesy of TheBigLead:
Golic: Take us inside the (I’m sure) pretty somber locker room after the game, and tell us about some of the conversations that were going on.
Howard: I got dragged into drug-testing – again — randomly, so I didn’t hear all of them. I think once I got back into the room it was quiet. Like you said, it was somber. No words can make you feel better. Some guys had tears. Some guys kept sitting quietly. It’s tough. Losing in sports, no matter what sport it is, feels exactly the same. It’s gut-wrenching. We just tried to shower and get out of there as quickly as we could, and get back to our families.
Golic: Do you think after the 10th or 11th save the randomness went out of the drug test? (Laughs.)
Howard: Someone else said that as well. Maybe.
Howard, 35, also talked about whether he would be the U.S.’s goalie in the next World Cup. If Howard declines, Brad Guzan is slated to take over as the top keeper. Read more here.