The Verge has released its annual Top 50, listing its choices for the most influential people of 2014. The list is populated with your typical array of Silicon Valley inventors, media tycoons, entrepreneurs, and soccer goalies. You read that last part correctly.

Tim Howard Signs Multi-Year Deal With NBC Sports

That's right: Team USA goalkeeper Tim Howard made this year's cut. Howard is the only athlete and only one of two sports figures in general to make The Verge's list (the other is NBA commissioner Adam Silver). The site praised Howard's sterling performance against Belgium, in which the 35-year-old goalie broke the record for saves in a World Cup match, with 16.

Despite the fact that the Stars and Stripes lost that match, The Verge stated that Howard "galvanized and united a nation in truly unique fashion," and joked that "somewhere, right now, he's almost certainly saving something."

"Howard's resolute performances throughout the tournament will ensure that this year's World Cup is one Americans will not soon forget," the site added.

When he's not in goal for the Americans, Howard is manning the posts for Everton FC of the English Premier League. The Toffees currently sit in 12th out of 20 in this year's standings.

The Verge's entire list of the 50 most influential people of 2014 is available here.

You can relive Tim Howard's legendary World Cup performance against Belgium below