Legendary U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard was great at stopping shots.Now he stops optimism.The former American star poured the coldest of water on the U.S. team’s chances to win the World Cup despite an impressive 2-0 start to win its group and advance to the first knockout round of 32.In an “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast on Saturday, Howard told former teammate Landon Donovan his unvarnished truth.“The U.S. cannot, unequivocally, win the World Cup,” said Howard, a member of three World Cup teams. “The U.S. will have to play the greatest game they’ve ever played ... four games in a row. It is literally impossible for the U.S. to win the World Cup. ... That’s just the reality.” Donovan allowed that the prospect was “not likely” but didn’t eliminate the possibility.Hopes and expectations have risen in the euphoria of America’s impressive start.“I don’t think it’s ridiculous to say that we want to win it,” U.S. defender Chris Richards said. “We want to lift a trophy by the end of this.”Howard was the backup in the 2006 World Cup and played a key role in the 2010 and 2014 global tournaments. He received a phone call from then-President Barack Obama for his impressive performance in the latter.The U.S. plays its final group stage match against Turkey on Thursday and will play its round of 32 knockout match on July 1.