Belgium wasn't the only winner when it beat the United States at the World Cup on Tuesday. The U.S.'s Julian Green proved his selection as a 19-year-old was warranted, Belgium's Lukaku showed he deserves more playing time and the USMNT demonstrated it can hang with the world's best.
Everton, the Premier League club of USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard, also felt like a winner.
After the 35-year-old registered a half-century World Cup-record 16 saves in the U.S.'s 2-1 loss to Belgium, Howard was trending on social media and his fans were running on fumes with one even starting a petition to rename Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after the goalkeeper. With Howard's popularity at its peak, Everton realized early Wednesday this was its moment to capitalize.
American Evertonians - preorder @TimHowardGK's 2014/15 home kit at: http://t.co/6ydDKziVES @EvertonUSA #EFCUSA #USA pic.twitter.com/Gf67oa3qUR
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
Apparently, Everton noticed a trend in its Tuesday followers. Country codes were coming from the western hemisphere.
Lots of new US-based followers overnight. Tell @EvertonUSA where you're from and they'll help connect you with local Blues! #EFC #USA
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
Also follow @eactsoccer - official affiliates of #EFC who coach football to thousands of youngsters in the United States. #EFCUSA #USA
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
For Everton, today is a day to reel in new American fans and Howard fans. There is so much talk about the growing popularity of soccer in the United States and many Americans search for a European club to support. In an office in Liverpool, British marketing minds woke up Wednesday. Despite the offseason, today may be an early Christmas for the club. American fans have their tongues and wallets out for Howard, a new American hero.
A few hours after the initial batch of tweets, Everton came back with another push for new fans and its new 2014-15 goalkeeper jersey, which does not actually go on sale until July 17:
New #USA Everton fans - tell @EvertonUSA where you're from and they'll link you to local Blues + supporters' clubs to watch our games with!
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
Tim Howard's new home goalkeeper shirt/kit for 2014/15 can be pre-ordered online here: http://t.co/6ydDKziVES #USA pic.twitter.com/TRO5qNx3qe
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
And by mid-day on the east coast of the United States, Everton made another rush for new American fans:
Good to see our friends @EvertonUSA helping new #USA Blues link up with established supporters' clubs in their area! #EFCUSA #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
And if you want to become a FOREVERTON Overseas member for 2014/15, here are some of the benefits: http://t.co/yti2sF45oX #EFCUSA #USA #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) July 2, 2014
On the American football circuit, free agent running back Jacob Hester, an apparent Everton supporter, gave the English club an American boost. The former LSU star tweeted a picture of Everton and other Blues that was retweeted by the club:
#USMNT fans trying to pick a EPL team to follow can join me and support the greatest club @Everton and @TimHowardGK pic.twitter.com/LuZTqohCyJ
— Jacob Hester (@JacobHester22) July 2, 2014
Devout American soccer fans have known about Howard's world-class talent for a decade now, but for some casual fans, Tuesday was a revelation. As for Howard himself, he may have predicted such a performance in his senior year of high school:
Tim Howard's yearbook quote could not have been more on point. http://t.co/O5EqQDYfai pic.twitter.com/mWRI5fUoOq
— Mashable (@mashable) July 2, 2014
Howard is one of Everton's longest-tenured players, as he was loaned to The Toffees in 2006 and signed in 2007. He has 297 appearances for the Liverpool-based side, which finished fifth in the Premier League in 2013-14. Howard's 15 clean sheets were third in the league.
He also has one goal with Everton, scored in January 2012 (wearing a camouflage goalkeeper kit):
The New Jersey native has 104 caps for the United States Men's National Soccer Team and he played every minute of the team's eight games in the past two FIFA World Cups.
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.