The United States Men’s National Team was doubted and in trouble vs Belgium.One player strode to the front and carried the USA in his arms.Tim Howard made World Cup history vs Belgium in 2014gettyBeing called the ‘Secretary of Defense’ is one of the coolest nicknames in American sports history.Tim Howard, who represented USMNT in two World Cups, earned that title with a 2014 performance vs Belgium that still sends shivers when watching old YouTube highlights.“They were all on their limit. (Howard) had an absolutely amazing match,” said then-USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann, after a 2-1 defeat to Belgium during a Round of 16 match in Salvador, Brazil.The 35-year-old Howard saved shot after shot vs a Belgium team that featured two big names who still lead the 2026 squad — Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. Twelve years after the Secretary of Defense saved a World Cup-record 16 attempts on a night when Belgium took 27 shots, USMNT and Belgium will meet again in the Round of 16 on Monday at Seattle Stadium. This time, Mauricio Pochettino‘s team will be missing star striker Folarin Balogun, who received a controversial red card in a Round of 32 victory and will be suspended vs Belgium. Echoes of “USA, USA!” chants bounced around a 48,000-seat stadium in 2014, trying to lift up a USMNT squad that featured Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones.A Lukaku to De Bruyne connection three minutes into extra time helped knocked USMNT out of the tournament. Lukaku passed the ball into the center, then De Bruyne pushed a low shot past Howard, who fell onto the grass in slow motion. “The levee is going to break at some point,” Howard said.Howard is one of the best keepers in USMNT historygettyHe’s gone on to a successful career off the pitchgettyBelgium’s Kevin De Bruyne is back 12 years later to try and beat USMNT againA goal at the 105-minute mark by Lukaku overcame a goal two minutes later by USMNT’s Julian Green, and Belgium’s 2-1 final advantage was the only knock on Howard on an otherwise perfect night in sweltering July heat.“It was a game that just went to the extreme,” Klinsmann said.Howard, 47, twice won the US Soccer Federation Male Athlete of the Year and was honored three times as CONCACAF’s Male Goalkeeper of the Year.He started his pro career in 1998 with MLS’ MetroStars — joining Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos and Tony Meola on the team — then spent 13 seasons in the Premier League with Manchester United and Everton.Howard won the FA Cup and League Cup at United, while earning 121 caps for USMNT.The World Cup record holder hasn’t been afraid to express his opinion about the 2026 team.Howard said that USMNT won’t be able to win this World Cup because of the high quality of its opponents. “The US cannot, unequivocally, win the World Cup,” Howard said on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast along with Landon Donovan. “The US will have to play the greatest game they’ve ever played … four games in a row. Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, finals.”That test starts on Monday vs a Belgium team that eventually go the best of Howard 12 years ago. World Cup WhatsAppDon't miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings. Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.