Eloy Room’s Incredible 15-Stop Performance Against Ecuador: Is Tim Howard’s World Cup Record Next?

Curacao made soccer history by securing their first-ever World Cup point in a gritty 0-0 draw against Ecuador. A massive share of the credit belongs to goalkeeper Eloy Room, whose heroic performance between the posts yielded 15 saves—putting him just one stop shy of Tim Howard’s legendary World Cup record.

There is, however, a stunning caveat to Room’s masterclass: while the former USMNT star needed 120 minutes of extra time to accumulate his 16 saves, the Curacao shot-stopper reached his 15-save mark in just 90 minutes of regulation.

Howard originally set the benchmark with his iconic performance during the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where the USMNT ultimately fell 2-1 to Belgium in overtime.

Room signaled early on that it was going to be a special night, denying Ecuadorian star Enner Valencia in a crucial one-on-one situation just two minutes into the match. The Netherlands-born keeper was an absolute wall at Kansas City Stadium, rightfully earning Man of the Match honors.