The U.S. men's national team is riding high after two convincing wins in group play, but former star goalkeeper Tim Howard just poured a bucket of cold water on the dream. In a recent debate with Landon Donovan, Howard declared it's “literally impossible” for the USMNT to lift the World Cup trophy this year—and fans are not happy about it.

Howard didn't mince words. “The U.S. cannot, unequivocally, win the World Cup,” he said. “They’re going to have to play the greatest game they’ve ever played four times in a row against world soccer powerhouses. It is literally impossible.”

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The USMNT has never advanced past the quarterfinals, which they reached in 2002. This year's tournament is on home soil, with a talented roster and passionate fan support. Yet Howard insists the mountain is too steep.

Donovan pushed back. “Can we? Yes,” he argued. “Has this group proven it can beat a top team? No. But if they play the way they are now, they can compete against anyone. Doing it four times in a row is really hard, but momentum changes everything. Is it likely? No. But possible? Absolutely.”

Fans on social media were quick to vent. One called Howard's timing a “jerk move,” while another pointed out that “none of these powerhouse teams have strung two games together as well as the U.S. has.” Others were more blunt: “Tim Howard you should be ashamed of yourself. Just because you and your team couldn’t do it doesn’t mean these guys can’t.”

This controversy comes amid other heated moments in soccer, including a World Cup commentator under fire for an alleged racist remark, and U.S. Soccer fans furious after the team was ranked 17th despite a dominant win. The debate over Howard's comments adds fuel to an already fiery World Cup atmosphere.

Is Howard just being brutally honest, or did he cross a line? The USMNT has a chance to prove him wrong starting Thursday against Turkey. If they can string together four miracles, history will be made. But for now, the former goalkeeper's words have struck a nerve with a fan base desperate to believe.