MLS All Stars 1 Everton FC 1 (Everton FC win 4-3 on penalties)

Jul 30 2009 By Dominic King in Salt Lake City

TIM HOWARD was the hero as Everton ended their tour of the United States on a high.

The Blues keeper made three saves in a penalty shootout against the MLS All-Stars here in Salt Lake City in the early hours of the morning to provide the platform for a 4-3 victory.

When James Vaughan and Jo missed Everton’s first two kicks, the situation looked bleak but Howard came up trumps - just as he did at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.

He thwarted Brad Davies, made a stunning block from Davy Arnaud then - after Jack Rodwell had scored in sudden death - Howard went the right away to catch a kick that former Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg got hopelessly wrong.

Everton started brightly and took the lead through Louis Saha after 12 minutes but they had to ride their luck on occasions and were pegged back midway through the first period when Davis bundled in at the far post following some slack defensive play.

That gave the MLS confidence and they dominated much of the remainder of the contest and Everton had Howard - who ended up being named the game’s Most Valuable Player - to thank for keeping them in it.

Landon Donovan should have put the MLS in front on 76 minutes but somehow hit the post from six yards, while Howard made a stunning block from Arnaud deep into injury time.

Home supporters thought they had victory in the bag after Vaughan skied his opening effort and Jo’s shot was saved by Kasey Keller but they didn’t count on Howard.

Once he saved from Davis, the tide turned; Leighton Baines, Phil Neville and Joleon Lescott all converted before Rodwell put them to match point.

And happily for all Evertonians, Howard - as he has done so many times before - came up trumps at the right moment.