Tim Howard Bio Send To Friend  

No question -- Howard will be between the pipes for the U.S. at next year's World Cup.

He has done an excellent job for the U.S. since taking over the starting job two years ago. This year, Howard won the first three home qualifiers in the final round, including back-to-back shutouts against Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago. He has played well for Everton in the EPL this season and, last season, set a team record for clean sheets in a season (16).

Howard's pro debut came in August 1998 at the age of 19. He picked up the win for the New York MetroStars, now Red Bulls, in a 4-1 win over Colorado at Giants Stadium. It served as his only appearance of the year. The following year Howard saw action in nine games for New York, making eight starts. He put up a 1.58 goals-against average, but picked up only one win in a year in which the MetroStars won just seven.

Howard's breakout year came in 2001, when he became the youngest player to win the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award. He put up four shutouts and made 146 saves to lead the league. Howard also made the MLS All-Star team with a 1.33 GAA.

He played for the Stars in '02 and part of the '03 season. Manchester United paid $4 million to sign Howard that summer and he replaced French keeper Fabien Barthez as United's No. 1 keeper. The American played well early on for Man U. Some of the highlights included saving the decisive penalty in the Community Shield against Arsenal and a home FA Cup tie win over Manchester City.

However, he struggled in '04. Fans were not happy after Howard allowed a last-minute goal to FC Porto, eliminating Man U. from the UEFA Champions League. He was replaced by Roy Carroll. Howard reclaimed his starting position ahead of Carroll for the 2004 FA Cup Final, earning a winner's medal. He was the first American player to collect a winner's medal in the FA Cup.

Howard was also named in the PFA Best XI in his first season at United, making him the only United player in the team. In his second full season at Old Trafford, Howard struggled again. Carroll replaced him again, but not for long. It became revolving keepers as Howard reclaimed his spot and then Carroll took it back.

After 2005-06, Howard signed a new contract, which would keep him with United until 2009. The club even released his competition for the position -- Howard's old sparring partner Carroll and Ricardo López Felipe. Man U. did summon Dutch star Edwin van der Sar, and Howard wasn't just whistlin' Dixie. He went off, saying he wouldn't have signed if he knew van der Sar was on his way.

Not only that, but van der Sar took his job. Man U. would reach a loan agreement with Everton for the 2006-07 season and Howard immediately stepped in as the No. 1 keeper. Everton announced that Howard had signed a permanent deal with the club through the 2012-13 season in February of '07. He has been a star for the Blues and last year set a club record for most clean sheets.

Howard backed up Kasey Keller at the '06 World Cup. However, Bradley elevated him to No. 1 in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final -- a 2-1 win over Mexico. In June, Howard shut out Spain, the top-ranked team in the world, 2-0 in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup. The powerful Spaniards had not been shut out in two years. For his play, Howard earned the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

Strengths: This guy is fearless: See his play in this summer's MLS All-Star Game, basically an exhibition. Still, Howard attacked the air like it was a must-win World Cup tussle. He's an athletic and intelligent keeper who has established himself as one of the best in the EPL.

Weaknesses: His positioning can be suspect -- occasionally.

Career high: Proving not only that he can play across the pond, but that he can flourish.

Career low: His up-and-down play and subsequent departure from Man U.

Style: Intense, yet clinical, with great reflexes; a blue-collar keeper capable of performing at any level.

Quote: "Nobody gives up when they're playing for their country." -- September 2009

Trivia: Was a star on the North Brunswick (N.J.) High basketball team, where he beat former Duke All-American Jason Williams (then of St. Joseph's of Metuchen) in the Middlesex County Championship game in 1997. For the record, Howard can dunk.

Soccernet says: Howard makes his debut as a World Cup starter next year, barring injury.