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 feet 3 inches (1.91 m)
Playing position	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)
National team
1999	United States U20	3	(0)
1999	United States U23	4	(0)
2002–2017	United States	121	(0)
Honours 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
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (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 tries to stop the ball from going into the goal. Many people think Tim Howard is one of the best American soccer players ever!

After he stopped playing, Tim became a part-owner of a soccer club called Memphis 901. He also works as an international ambassador for the English club Everton in the U.S.

Tim started his soccer journey with the North Jersey Imperials. Later, he moved to the MetroStars. In 2003, a big English club, Manchester United, signed him. He became their main goalkeeper and helped them win important trophies like the 2003 FA Community Shield, the 2003–04 FA Cup, and the 2005–06 League Cup.

In 2006, Tim went to Everton, first on loan, then permanently. He played there for many years and even scored a goal himself in 2012! After his time in England, he returned to the U.S. to play for the Colorado Rapids in MLS. He retired in 2019 but briefly played again for Memphis 901 in 2020.

Tim Howard is also the goalkeeper with the most games played for the U.S. men's national team. He played 121 games between 2002 and 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 record for the most saves in one match, with 16 saves against Belgium!

Early Life and Soccer Start

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

When Tim was young, a soccer coach named Tim Mulqueen saw his talent. Mulqueen offered Tim free coaching and helped him develop his skills. Another coach, Peter Mellor, also recognized Tim's potential when he was 14. Mellor helped Tim join the Olympic Development Program, which is for promising young athletes. Mellor also helped Tim get his work permit when he moved to play for Manchester United.

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

Club Career Highlights

Tim started his professional soccer journey in 1997 with the North Jersey Imperials. He played his first professional game even before finishing high school.

Playing for the MetroStars

Tim then joined the MetroStars in 1998. His former coach, Tim Mulqueen, helped him get there. Tim won his first MLS game with the MetroStars on August 18, 1998.

In 2001, Tim won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. This award goes to the best goalkeeper in the league. He also received the MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award for his work helping children. In 2002, he was named to the MLS Best XI for the second year in a row.

Time at Manchester United

In 2003, Manchester United, a very famous English club, bought Tim for about $4 million. He became their main goalkeeper. Tim had a great start at Manchester United. He helped them win the FA Community Shield by saving a penalty kick.

He also helped the team win the 2004 FA Cup Final. This made him only the second American player to win an FA Cup medal. Tim was also named to the PFA Team of the Year in his first season. This award recognizes the best players in the league.

However, after Manchester United signed another experienced goalkeeper, Edwin van der Sar, in 2005, Tim didn't play as much.

Becoming an Everton Legend

In 2006, Tim joined Everton on loan, and then signed with them permanently in February 2007. He quickly became a key player for Everton.

Howard playing for Everton in a UEFA Europa League match in 2014

On January 4, 2012, Tim scored his first goal as a professional soccer player! His long kick from his own goal went all the way into the opponent's net. This made him only the fourth goalkeeper to score a goal in the Premier League. He said his goal was "cruel" for the other team and didn't celebrate.

In March 2012, Tim signed a new contract to stay with Everton until 2016. He played his 100th game for Everton in a 0–0 draw against Liverpool. In April 2014, Everton extended his contract even further, until 2018.

Tim played his last game for Everton in 2016. He gave a speech to the fans, saying he would "remain an Evertonian for life."

Playing for Colorado Rapids

On March 20, 2016, Tim announced he would return to MLS and play for the Colorado Rapids. He joined the team in July. On November 6, 2016, Tim showed his amazing skills by saving two penalty kicks in a playoff game against the LA Galaxy. This helped Colorado reach the Western Conference Championship.

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

Brief Return with Memphis 901

On March 4, 2020, Tim surprised everyone by announcing he would play professional soccer again! He signed a contract with Memphis 901 in the USL Championship. He also worked as the sporting director and was a part-owner of the club. He stepped down as sporting director in June 2024.

International Career for the USA

Tim Howard played for the U.S. under-20 national team in 1999. He also played for the U.S. under-23 national team and helped them win a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.

On March 10, 2002, Tim played his first game for the senior U.S. national team. He was a backup goalkeeper for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Later, he became the main goalkeeper for the U.S. team. He helped the U.S. win the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico.

Howard on international duty against Honduras in 2011 (left) and Canada in 2012 (right)

Tim was the starting goalkeeper for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In this tournament, the U.S. team surprised everyone by beating Spain, who were the number one team in the world. Tim's eight saves in that game helped the U.S. keep a clean sheet. He was given the Golden Glove award for being the best goalkeeper in the tournament.

Tim was also the main goalkeeper for the U.S. in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. He played very well in his first World Cup game against England. His long pass to Landon Donovan helped the U.S. score the winning goal against Algeria, which helped them move to the next round.

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

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Tim played his 100th game for the United States. He was named man of the match for his amazing performance in a 2–2 draw against Portugal.

On July 1, 2014, Tim had an incredible game against Belgium in the World Cup. Even though the U.S. lost, Tim broke the record for the most saves in a World Cup match, with 15 saves! People all over the internet celebrated his performance with the hashtag #ThingsTimHowardCouldSave.

After the 2014 World Cup, Tim took a break from international soccer. He returned in 2015 and was part of the team that won the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Tim played his last international game in 2017. With 121 games, he is the goalkeeper with the most appearances for the U.S. men's national team.

Life Off the Field

Tim Howard is a devout Christian. He has said that his faith is the most important thing in his life. He is also involved with Athletes in Action, a Christian organization.

In 2001, Tim was named MLS Humanitarian of the Year. This was for his work helping children with Tourette syndrome. He also joined the New Jersey Tourette Syndrome Association Board of Directors. In 2014, the U.S. Tourette Syndrome Association called him a "Champion of Hope." This was because he bravely shared his story about living with Tourette syndrome. He helped teach people about the disorder and encouraged young people with Tourette's to talk about their experiences.

Tim is divorced and has two children. He also holds a Hungarian passport because his mother is Hungarian. In 2014, Tim appeared in a campaign for PETA to promote anti-fur fashion.

Club Ownership and Ambassador Roles

In September 2018, Tim Howard became a part-owner of two soccer clubs: Dagenham & Redbridge in England and Memphis 901 in the U.S. In December 2019, he became the sporting director for Memphis 901, helping manage the team's players.

In October 2019, Tim also became the first international ambassador for his former club, Everton, in the United States. This means he helps represent Everton and connect with fans in America.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honors and Awards

Tim Howard has won many awards and honors throughout his career:

Manchester United

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

Everton

• FA Cup runner-up: 2008–09

United States National Team

• CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2007, 2017 (Winners); 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: 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