American Howard excels in front of world

With the English soccer season heading toward its volcanic conclusion, competitions (MLB, NBA and even MLS authorities should take note of the plural) are approaching their respective endings in the coming weeks.

Away from regular league activity the FA Cup semi-finals took place at the new Wembley over the weekend, with Chelsea and Everton winning through to the big decider at the expense of Arsenal and a watered-down Manchester United,respectively.

In Sunday's Everton-United contest fans were on the edge of their seats through ninety nervous minutes plus a further half hour of extra time. But with no goals scored, the game was taken to a penalty shootout where America’s number one, Tim Howard, stood up to repel United’s first two kickers, and in the process sent his team and their disbeliving fans celebrating all the way into Monday morning and beyond.

Howard was mobbed by his teammates when the final whistle blew, as the reality sunk in that the Toffees had just derailed United's bid for an unprecendented quintuple of World Club Championship, Carling Cup, FA Cup, Premiership and Champions League. United remain firmly on course for four of the above trophies, but Everton and Howard will have their moment in the sun on May 30 when they meet mighty Chelsea in a game which is bigger in the sporting world than the Superbowl.

A former United stalwart like Howard, Philip Neville will also remember last Sunday with a degree of fondness. A disarmingly honest professional, Neville hardly fits the "racy" image of the modern day footballer, and he is humble enough to publicly recall the day he tried swapping shirts with members of the Real Madrid team.

Following a memorable European night at Old Trafford, Neville knocked on the away team's locker room, handed his shirt to the Real kit man and waited patiently. A few minutes later the door opened and an outstretched arm thrust Neville's red Manchester United shirt straight back at him. The message, apparently, was that world beaters Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raúl and Ronaldo all considered their vestments in higher regard.

There was also an occassion, last season versus Fiorentina in the Uefa Cup, when Phil sheepishly volunteered to take a penalty for the Toffees in a shoot-out, but his manager "pretended he couldn't hear me.”

But Neville exorcised any personal ghosts he may have had on Sunday last, and like Howard, stood up in front of the world to be counted. For both men there continues to be life after Manchester United.

On the Premiership front the big guns were all silent at the weekend, but they will flex their muscles on Tuesday (Manchester United face off against Portsmouth while Arsenal meet Liverpool), while Barcelona and Inter Milan are set to be crowned champions of Spain and Italy respectively in the coming weeks.