The inability to control a simple ball in the 80th minute cost the Colorado Rapids a possible win on Sunday in Washington D.C. Come July 4, those mistakes won’t be happening.

With a 1-0 lead and just 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining, Rapids goaltender Zac MacMath came off his line into traffic and couldn’t take control of a cross that hit him right in the hands. The bouncing ball eventually found Fabian Espíndola, who found the back of the net. At full time, Colorado and D.C. walked away with a goal apiece and a point apiece.

Also on Sunday, Colorado announced the acquisition of a player who will have a far more commanding presence inside the box – U.S. Men’s National Team and Everton keeper Tim Howard. His 106 caps with the USMNT put him within striking distance of the top-10 on that list – one he could reach this year.

No. 4 on that list, Marcelo Balboa (127), who captained the USMNT  and also played for Colorado is currently a TV and radio analyst for the club. He joined Gil Whiteley on Mile High Sports AM 1340 on Monday to break down the game and talk about the importance of Howard’s return to MLS.

About the game, Balboa admitted that MacMath simply made a mistake. And when goaltenders make mistakes, goals happen. He doesn’t expect goals like the one MacMath allowed on Sunday to continue when Howard joins the team – some time after the July 4 international transfer window opens.

Howard, Balboa says, is still one of the top goaltenders in the world and the move will bring notoriety to MLS and the Rapids.

“I think it’s a great signing. I think it’s going to draw a lot of attention to MLS. It’s going to draw a lot of attention to the Colorado Rapids.”

Balboa says Howard is still in the conversation for the top-10 goalkeepers in the world. At his prime, he absolutely was one of them and he is still certainly still in that conversation.

There’s no denying, though, that Howard – who just turned 37 – is nearing the tail end of his career. Howard played six years in MLS before moving to the Premier League in 2003. He spent three years with Manchester United before going to Everton on loan, then permanently. Now in his 20th year as a professional, the time was right for a return to MLS

“In his career, this seemed to be a good fit. It’s a three-and-a-half-year – or four-year contract – so he’ll be here until he’s 40. So, we’ll see.”

Howard has lost playing time at Everton this year because of a knee injury and age, but Colorado expects him to step in, not just in a full-time capacity, but to compete for a MLS Cup.

“Now it’s just about winning,” Balboa says. “Winning a championship. Making the playoffs and having a run at a championship every year.”

All MacMath has to do is keep the Rapids in the playoff hunt in the meantime.

Listen to the full conversation between Balboa and Whiteley in the podcast below…

Catch Gil Whiteley every weekday from 11a-1p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.