Tim Howard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tim Howard

Howard in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Timothy Matthew Howard
Date of birth	(1979-03-06) March 6, 1979 (age 46)
Place of birth	North Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1995–1997	Central Jersey Cosmos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997	North Jersey Imperials	6	(0)
1998–2003	MetroStars	88	(0)
1998	→ MLS Pro-40 (loan)	1	(0)
2003–2007	Manchester United	45	(0)
2006–2007	→ Everton (loan)	25	(0)
2007–2016	Everton	329	(1)
2016–2019	Colorado Rapids	100	(0)
2020	Memphis 901	6	(0)
Total		600	(1)
International career
1999	United States U20	3	(0)
1999	United States U23	4	(0)
2002–2017	United States	121	(0)
Medal record Men's soccer Representing  United States CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner 2007 United States Winner 2017 United States Runner-up 2011 United States FIFA Confederations Cup Runner-up 2009 South Africa
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Timothy Matthew Howard (born March 6, 1979) is a famous American former professional soccer player. He played as a goalkeeper, which means he was the player who defends the goal. Many people consider him one of the greatest American soccer players ever.

After he stopped playing, Tim Howard became a part-owner of Houston Dynamo FC, a team in Major League Soccer. He also helps the English club Dagenham & Redbridge and is an international ambassador for Premier League club Everton in the United States. He was nicknamed the "Secretary of Defense" because of his amazing saves.

Howard started his career with the North Jersey Imperials. Then he moved to the MetroStars. In 2003, he joined the famous English club Manchester United. He became their main goalkeeper. During his time there, he helped the team win the 2003 FA Community Shield, the 2003–04 FA Cup, and the 2005–06 League Cup. He was even named one of the best players in the league for the 2003–04 season.

In 2006, Howard went on loan to Everton and then signed with them permanently in 2007. He played for Everton for many years. On January 4, 2012, he scored a goal against Bolton Wanderers. This made him only the fourth goalkeeper to score a goal in the Premier League! In 2016, Howard returned to MLS to play for the Colorado Rapids. He played for three years before retiring in October 2019. He later became a sporting director for Memphis 901 FC and even played a few games for them in March 2020.

Tim Howard is the goalkeeper with the most appearances for the United States men's national team. He played 121 games from 2002 until he retired from international play in 2017. He was the main goalkeeper for the U.S. in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. In the 2014 World Cup, he set a World Cup record for making 16 saves in one match against Belgium.

Early Life and Soccer Start

Tim Howard was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His parents divorced when he was three, and he lived with his mother. When he was in sixth grade, he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and OCD.

When Tim was young, a soccer coach named Tim Mulqueen saw his talent. He offered Tim free coaching. Later, another coach, Peter Mellor, also recognized Tim's potential. Mellor helped Tim join the Olympic Development Program. He also helped Tim get permission to work in England when he joined Manchester United.

Howard went to North Brunswick Township High School. He was great at both soccer and basketball. In high school, he played for Central Jersey Cosmos. In 1995, he was part of the U.S. under-17 soccer team.

Playing for Clubs

In 1997, Tim Mulqueen became a coach for the North Jersey Imperials. He brought Tim Howard to play for the team. Howard played his first professional game before he even finished high school. He played six games for the Imperials.

MetroStars Success

Howard then joined the MetroStars, an MLS team. He won his first MLS game on August 18, 1998. He made five saves in a 4–1 victory.

In 2001, Howard won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. He made 146 saves that year. He also received the MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work helping children. He was named to the MLS Best XI (a team of the best players) for two years in a row. Before leaving the MetroStars in 2003, he played in 13 games.

Joining Manchester United

Manchester United paid about $4 million to sign Tim Howard in 2003. He became the team's main goalkeeper.

Howard started strong at Manchester United. He saved a key penalty kick in a game against Arsenal. However, in March 2004, he made a mistake that led to a goal for Porto. This caused United to be knocked out of a big European competition. After this, another goalkeeper, Roy Carroll, played more. But Howard got his starting spot back for the 2004 FA Cup Final. He helped Manchester United win the FA Cup, becoming the first American to do so. He was also named to the PFA Team of the Year in his first season.

In his second season, Howard had some struggles. Manchester United then bought a new experienced goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar. This meant Howard played less.

Years with Everton

Howard playing for Everton in a European game in 2014

In 2006, Howard joined Everton on loan. He quickly became their main goalkeeper and signed a permanent deal in February 2007. He played his 100th game for Everton in November 2008. In April 2009, he saved two penalty kicks against his old club, Manchester United. This helped Everton reach the FA Cup final. He also set a club record for the most games without letting in a goal in a season.

On December 12, 2009, Howard was the captain for Everton for the first time.

During the 2011–12 season, Howard scored his first professional goal. It was a long kick that the wind carried into the other team's net. He was only the fourth goalkeeper to score in a Premier League match. He said his goal was "cruel" and did not celebrate out of respect for the other goalkeeper.

In March 2012, Howard signed a new contract to stay with Everton until 2016. In May, he kept his 100th "clean sheet" (a game where the goalkeeper doesn't let in any goals) for Everton. In April 2014, his contract was extended until 2018.

By 2016, Howard was dealing with a knee injury and wasn't playing as well. He became a backup goalkeeper. Before his last game with Everton, he told the fans he would "remain an Evertonian for life."

Return to MLS: Colorado Rapids

Howard playing for the Colorado Rapids in 2016

On March 20, 2016, it was announced that Howard would return to MLS. He signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Colorado Rapids. He joined the team in July. In November 2016, he saved two penalty kicks in a playoff game. This helped the Rapids reach the Western Conference Championship.

On January 22, 2019, Howard announced that the 2019 Major League Soccer season would be his last as a professional player. He officially retired in October 2019.

Memphis 901 FC

On March 4, 2020, Howard announced he would play professional soccer again. He signed a contract with Memphis 901 FC in the USL Championship. He also worked as the sporting director and was a part-owner of the club.

Playing for His Country

Howard making a save during U.S. national team training in 2006

Tim Howard played for the United States under-20 national team in 1999. He also played for the United States under-23 national team and won a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.

He played his first game for the senior United States national team on March 10, 2002. In 2006, he was part of the team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but he was a backup goalkeeper. He became the main goalkeeper for the U.S. team in 2007. He helped the U.S. win the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico.

Howard with the U.S. national team in 2013

Howard was the starting goalkeeper for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In the semi-final, the United States surprisingly beat Spain, who were the number one team in the world. Howard made eight saves in that game. After the U.S. finished second in the tournament, Howard won the Golden Glove award for being the best goalkeeper.

He was also the starting goalkeeper for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He played very well against England. His long pass helped set up the winning goal against Algeria, which helped the U.S. team move to the next round.

Howard with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

On June 7, 2014, Howard played his 100th game for the United States. This happened before the 2014 World Cup. On July 1, 2014, in a World Cup game against Belgium, Howard set a new World Cup record. He made 15 saves in that match! Even though the U.S. lost, his performance was celebrated around the world. People even made a hashtag on Twitter called #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave.

After the 2014 World Cup, Howard took a break from international soccer. He returned in August 2015. He was part of the team that won the 2017 Gold Cup. He stopped playing for the national team after they did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup. With 121 games played, he is the goalkeeper with the most appearances in U.S. men's national team history.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Tim Howard's mother is Hungarian, and he also has a Hungarian passport. He is a very religious person and has said that his faith is the most important thing in his life. He is involved with Athletes in Action, a Christian organization.

In 2001, Howard was named MLS Humanitarian of the Year. This was for his work with children who have Tourette syndrome. He also joined the New Jersey Tourette Syndrome Association Board of Directors. In 2014, the U.S. Tourette Syndrome Association called him the "most notable individual with Tourette syndrome around the world." They praised him for sharing his story and helping others.

In 2014, Howard showed his arm and torso tattoos for PETA's "Ink, Not Mink" campaign, which is against using animal fur.

Club Ownership

In September 2018, Tim Howard became a part-owner of the English club Dagenham & Redbridge. He also became a part-owner of the American club Memphis 901. In December 2019, he took over as the sporting director at Memphis 901. In October 2019, he became the first international ambassador for his former club, Everton, in the United States.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Howard playing for the U.S. national team in 2011 (left) and 2012 (right)

Awards and Achievements

Tim Howard has won many awards throughout his career:

With Manchester United

• FA Cup: 2003–04 (won); 2004–05 (runner-up)
• Football League Cup: 2005–06
• FA Community Shield: 2003

With Everton

• FA Cup runner-up: 2008–09

With the United States National Team

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2007, 2017 (won); 2011 (runner-up)
• FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 2009

Individual Awards

• MLS Goalkeeper of the Year: 2001
• MLS Humanitarian of the Year: 2001
• MLS Best XI: 2001, 2002
• MLS All-Star: 2001, 2002, 2017
• PFA Team of the Year: 2003–04 Premier League
• U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year: 2008, 2014
• MLS All-Star MVP: 2009
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): 2009
• CONCACAF Gold Cup Best Save: 2011
• CONCACAF Men's Goalkeeper of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2015
• Fútbol de Primera Player of the Year: 2014
• CONCACAF Best XI: 2015
• 2024 National Soccer Hall of Fame Inductee

See also

In Spanish: Tim Howard para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps