Chuck Hagel thanks Tim Howard for 'defending the United States'

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Wednesday spoke briefly with U.S. men's national team goalie Timothy Howard, thanking him for “defending the United States of America at the World Cup," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Howard set a World Cup record for saves in Tuesday's match against Belgium, launching the hashtag #TimHowardCouldSave on Twitter. His record-breaking efforts were insufficient however, as the United States fell to Belgium 2-1. The disparity in goals bodes poorly for the man Hagel said “could someday become the real Secretary of Defense.”

It’s not yet clear if Howard will move forward with plans to invade Belgium when he assumes Hagel’s post.

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