Tim
Howard

  • Position Goalkeeper
  • Date of Birth Mar 06 1979
  • Hometown North Brunswick, NJ
  • Height 6' 3"
  • Club Colorado Rapids
Photo of the soccer player
Utilizing both his superb athleticism and intensity, Tim Howard has rightly earned his place among the MNT’s best keepers of all-time. He has earned more caps (121) than any other US keeper and was a key part of the team’s 2010 and 2014 World Cup campaigns. Since his retirement, he’s left behind a storied legacy for both club and country.

A LEGEND'S BEGINNING

Born in North Brunswick, New Jersey, Howard was invited to join the Olympic Development Program at the age of 13 in 1991. Part of the U.S. U-20 MNT roster at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria, Howard played all four matches, helping take the team to the Round of 16 with victories over England and Cameroon. He earned his first MNT cap in 2002 and made his first FIFA World Cup roster in 2006 as the understudy to Kasey Keller in Germany. Becoming the first-choice keeper the following year, Howard cemented his status with a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final that featured a spectacular 89th minute save to preserve the lead. A 2-0 shutout victory against number reigning European champion Spain in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup earned him a Golden Glove, establishing him as the keeper of choice for the MNT for years to come.

A HERO IN GOAL

One of Howard’s most memorable performances was in the USA’s 2-1 extra time defeat to Belgium during the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Over the course of the match against a truly relentless Belgian attack, Howard set a new tournament record with 15 saves in an astounding performance that wowed the world and earned him Man of the Match honors. Back in the U.S., Howard became an instant sensation, reaching beyond the soccer world with memes and hashtags about his performance going viral. The performance also earned him a congratulatory phone call from then-president Barack Obama.

GOALKEEPER OF THE DECADE

Howard began his professional career in 1997 with USISL’s New Jersey Imperials. He joined Major League Soccer’s MetroStars a year later, making his debut in August with five saves in a victory over the Colorado Rapids. In 2001 he recorded 146 saves, earning him MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors. His performances attracted attention from overseas with Manchester United offering him a $4 million contract in 2003. He was the first-choice keeper in his first season with United, delivering several memorable performances in his debut year and earning the Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year recognition. After an uneven second season, he signed with Everton in 2007 where he would spend the next nine years as a club stalwart, appearing in 414 matches. In 2016 he joined the Colorado Rapids, leading them to the MLS Western Conference Championship that year. In 2019, he announced his intention to retire at the end of the season, capping a truly extraordinary career.

RISING ABOVE IT ALL

Just before his teenage years, Howard was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome which could have potentially sidelined his career before it began. Learning to live with the condition, Howard instead has said he learned to use it as an advantage. He has since become an advocate for those living with Tourette syndrome, earning recognition as the "most notable individual with Tourette syndrome around the world".

A LEGEND'S BEGINNING

Born in North Brunswick, New Jersey, Howard was invited to join the Olympic Development Program at the age of 13 in 1991. Part of the U.S. U-20 MNT roster at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria, Howard played all four matches, helping take the team to the Round of 16 with victories over England and Cameroon. He earned his first MNT cap in 2002 and made his first FIFA World Cup roster in 2006 as the understudy to Kasey Keller in Germany. Becoming the first-choice keeper the following year, Howard cemented his status with a 2-1 victory over Mexico in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final that featured a spectacular 89th minute save to preserve the lead. A 2-0 shutout victory against number reigning European champion Spain in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup earned him a Golden Glove, establishing him as the keeper of choice for the MNT for years to come.

A HERO IN GOAL

One of Howard’s most memorable performances was in the USA’s 2-1 extra time defeat to Belgium during the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Over the course of the match against a truly relentless Belgian attack, Howard set a new tournament record with 15 saves in an astounding performance that wowed the world and earned him Man of the Match honors. Back in the U.S., Howard became an instant sensation, reaching beyond the soccer world with memes and hashtags about his performance going viral. The performance also earned him a congratulatory phone call from then-president Barack Obama.

GOALKEEPER OF THE DECADE

Howard began his professional career in 1997 with USISL’s New Jersey Imperials. He joined Major League Soccer’s MetroStars a year later, making his debut in August with five saves in a victory over the Colorado Rapids. In 2001 he recorded 146 saves, earning him MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors. His performances attracted attention from overseas with Manchester United offering him a $4 million contract in 2003. He was the first-choice keeper in his first season with United, delivering several memorable performances in his debut year and earning the Premier League Goalkeeper of the Year recognition. After an uneven second season, he signed with Everton in 2007 where he would spend the next nine years as a club stalwart, appearing in 414 matches. In 2016 he joined the Colorado Rapids, leading them to the MLS Western Conference Championship that year. In 2019, he announced his intention to retire at the end of the season, capping a truly extraordinary career.

RISING ABOVE IT ALL

Just before his teenage years, Howard was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome which could have potentially sidelined his career before it began. Learning to live with the condition, Howard instead has said he learned to use it as an advantage. He has since become an advocate for those living with Tourette syndrome, earning recognition as the "most notable individual with Tourette syndrome around the world".

U.S. Soccer Fans In Stadium
U.S. Soccer Fans In Stadium