Tim Howard

Birthdate: March 6th, 1979
NJ Town Affiliation: North Brunswick

Timothy Matthew Howard was born in North Brunswick, New Jersey, on March 6th, 1979. Growing up in a diverse and vibrant community, he was introduced to soccer at a young age. Tim was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when he was 9 years old and playing sports was always his favorite outlet. He started as a recreational player in North Brunswick and became a goalkeeper against his wishes, according to his mother Esther. Tim Mulqueen conducted weekly clinics at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, N.J., when Esther took her 12-year-old son there for training. Tim’s natural talent and dedication shone through as he played for local youth teams and caught the eye of scouts. His standout performances attracted the attention of Major League Soccer (MLS), and in 1998, he was drafted by the MetroStars (now known as New York Red Bulls).

Howard quickly established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in MLS, showcasing his exceptional reflexes, commanding presence, and shot-stopping abilities. He was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and MLS Humanitarian of the Year in 2001. In the net, Howard thrived and eventually signed with Manchester United in 2003. There, he earned an F.A. Cup winners medal in 2004 and was named the Professional Footballers Association No. 1 keeper. He joined Everton Football Club in 2006 and played there through 2016. In January 2012, he became only the 4th keeper in English Premier League history to score a goal. After his tenure at Everton, Howard returned to the states to play four seasons with the Colorado Rapids in MLS, from 2016 to 2019.

Tim also had the incredible honor of representing his country playing for the U.S. Men’s National Team. He made his USMNT debut in a 1-0 victory against Ecuador on March 10, 2002, in Birmingham, Ala. After serving as a backup for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Howard played every match for the U.S. in the 2010 and 2014 competitions. He made a U.S.-record 121 international appearances as a goalkeeper, earned the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup’s Golden Glove Award and secured U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year honors twice (2008, 2014). Tim also holds the record for number of saves in a World Cup match at 16 saves, during the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Brazil in 2014.

After retiring from playing, Tim has stayed close to the game as a Premier League Analyst for NBC Sports. He is also part of the ownership group of the Houston Dynamo of MLS and Houston Dash of NWSL. He continues his philanthropic work through the Tim Howard Foundation to provide opportunities and resources for communities and children in need.