On Saturday, May 30th, Tim Howard will step into the spotlight in front of thousands of raucous fans at the famed Wembley Stadium. Millions of more viewers will watch on TV as Howard and his Everton side take on Premier League powerhouse Chelsea for the right to lift the FA Cup. If Everton are able to win their first piece of hardware since 1995, much of the praise will be heaped on Howard who has been nothing less than spectacular for the Toffees, recording a club record 16 shutouts. Along the way to the final, Timmy delivered one of the most spectacular displays of shear brilliance when he stonewalled his former club ManU, including two saves in the penalty shootout.

Immediately following the FA Cup final, Timmy will hop on a plane and join his compatriots for two critical qualifying matches - June 3 in Costa Rica and June 6 against Honduras at Chicago's Soldier Field (both matches shown live on the ESPN Networks). Howard and the US
team will then travel to South Africa for the Confederations Cup, which pits the Red, White and Blue against three of the more dangerous teams in the world. On June 15 they take on reigning world champions Italy, then on June 18 they face five-time world champions Brazil and on June 21 they go up against current African Cup of Nations winners Egypt.

It won't be an easy road for the US national team or Everton, but with Tim Howard in goal at least both teams have a rock solid foundation to build upon.

This past weekend the US and Canada engaged in a little neighborly rivalry when the WNT traveled to Toronto for a match against their northern nemesis. The US put their stamp on the match almost immediately though, when veteran middy Shannon Boxx slotted home in the first 93 seconds. Up one-nil the ladies in red, white and blue never looked back, and Megan Rapinoe finished the half the way it opened with another shot to the back of the Canadian goal. Then Lindsay Tarpley put the match out of contention in the 77th minute with her 30th career goal. As if that wasn't enough, the US added one more just for good measure to round off the rout at 4-0.

Star forward, Abby Wambach, was back to her usual self after a grueling recovery from a broken leg. Abby was not able to find the back of the net, so she still sits on 99 goals, but that is something she will have a chance to change come July 19 when these two teams meet again. And, this time it's at Abby's hometown of Rochester, NY, so you know she'll be gunning for 100 in front of her friends and family.

In Rome on May 27, two football empires will collide. This season Manchester United and Barcelona won their league, both are playing for a third major trophy. And both have a rich history in Europe’s premier club competition.

Barcelona is the only team to play in every year of European competition since they started in 1955. At 11, they have the most consecutive wins in the competition. And this year they’re on for a treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Europe’s greatest prize. All in Pep Guardiola’s first season as manager.

Manchester United have played in every year of European competition since 1994. In 1999 they won a treble, claiming the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe’s greatest prize. And this year they’re on to become the first team to successfully defend their European crown. All increasing the strain on Sir Alex Ferguson’s already heaving trophy cabinet.

So who will take glory in Rome?

At 1-0 down, reduced to 10 men, with seconds left, it can look like you’re down and out.

Then, up steps one of the world’s great midfielders.

One shot, one goal, one place in the European final.