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Howard memoir to be released December 9

Tim Howard

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By RYAN TOLMICH

U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard has taken up many roles throughout his 18-year career. After already earning the titles of soccer star, spokesman and broadcast analyst, Howard is set to try his hand at developing a new label: author.

The Everton goalkeeper has penned a memoir, titled “The Keeper”, that is set to be released December 9 by HarperCollins Publishers. The book will detail many aspects of Howard’s life, including his battle with Tourette Syndrome, and will be released in both adult and young adult editions.

“I’ve always wanted to write a book,” said Howard, ” My goal is to share many of the highs and lows of my journey—with a little bit of the magic of the World Cup and the English Premier League—in the hope that it will provide others with some inspiration to reach for their own dreams.”

“The courage and resiliency that Tim displayed against Belgium are rooted in his life-long battle with Tourette’s Syndrome and his faith and belief in himself under extreme pressure, ” said David Hirshey, Harper Senior Vice President and Executive Editor who will edit the adult memoir. “Readers will get to know a humble soccer hero who has made saves—and been saved.”

Howard will resume his day job Saturday when Everton face title challengers Chelsea at Goodison Park.

What do you think of this news? What do you expect to learn from Howard book? What do you hope to see covered? Plan on reading?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • Good work, Sherlock. Nearly100% of all text ever “written” by soccer players (or more generally speaking, celebrities) is a money grab. Most of the time, I’m quite convinced these people have not even read their “autobiographies” or in this case “memoirs”

      At the very least, Tim takes his credibility and ability to articulate himself seriously, so he may actually have some personal attachment to the content. But yes, there is a reason all of this Tim Howard news has popped up in the space of a couple of weeks.,… strike while the iron his hot and stuff your pockets deep. Tim has earned the right and at least has a story to tell.

      Reply
  1. Okay, don’t overextend yourself. Color analyst, EPL goalie, author, that’s a lot on your plate. Plus, you have to see your kids more. Thank goodness you’re taking a year off international duty.

    Reply
    • Please tell me this isn’t going to be another story about Howard turned into an LD snivel-fest? I am an LD fan. I thought he should have made the WC roster, but JHC, give it a rest. All things It’s not 2003, all things US Soccer need not run through Donovan- and… I think TH deserves that respect?

      Reply
      • Sure.
        And granted, it’s probably overboard aimed specifically at Ol’ Stinky Pete, but….

        Hey… I thought this was a pretty legitimate whine pre world cup… now that it seemingly finds it’s way under every story over months, I have a hard time swallowing it.

        Even a good wine served with every meal over months grows ordinary, then stale and bitter… .

        Apologies- just thinkin’ maybe it’s time to uncork something new.

        How bout that Tim Freaking Howard, eh?

  2. Great for Tim. I’m a little worried about his editor:

    “Readers will get to know a humble soccer hero who has made saves—and been saved”

    What a doosh.

    I’ll buy it anyway, Tim.

    Reply
      • David Hirshey from the old a Once In A Lifetime Cosmos years!

        I hope this book sells… Not many soccer books do. Only Hope Solo has cracked the top five, Wahl’s Beckham book disappointed publishers with one week in the top ten then sales collapsed out of the top 30. Kuper’s Soccernomics is falsely labeled as a NY Times Bestseller even though it never made the actual list (made the “also selling” list online, about 26th place overall).

        I just can’t wait for Landon’s book! That thing will be a must-read now.

    • I believe that timmmaaaay is a devout Christian, so I’m guessing that’s an aspect of the book that they’ll be including in the marketing (or already are).

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    • I’ve never been high on him. Keller and Friedel are ahead of him in my book. I think Guzan will end up ahead of him as well.

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      • Bold words man. Seen Tim have amazing days on more than one occasion. Are you an old enough fan to remember those keepers playing for the nats? I do always wonder what could’ve been if Friedel hadn’t retired from internationals, as he arguably got even better afterwards. Maybe he plays in 2010 (at least least after Howard got his ribs banged up) instead of Howard playing through pain.

      • Arkie,

        I rate them this way: Keller/Friedel even and Howard below them.

        Keller was slightly better than Brad but Friedel had that memorable 2002 World Cup. They were both smarter keepers than Timmy, who until recently relied more on his athleticism. It is only in the last year or so that Timmy is finally learning to play to his full potential.

        Friedel retired from the USMNT in 2005 when he was 33.

        Howard is now 35.

        Friedel did get better after he retired. Keepers often get better after 33 anyway. Friedel also cut down his travel schedule dramatically so it is very possible it helped him with is club career. A regular like Friedel played about 40-50 games with his club. If you throw in 10 or so USMNT games a season, it doesn’t sound like a lot but USMNT games usually required a very long trip, much longer than traveling around the UK.

        He was, until very recently, still a better keeper than Howard.
        Friedel could not have replaced TImmy when Timmy got hurt in the England game in the 2010 World Cup as the rosters were frozen. NO subs for any reason once the first World Cup game is played. That is why you have two backup keepers. If you don’t think they can play then they should not be there at all.

        If Howard was so inhibited by his England game injury then he had no business playing on with Guzan and Hahnemann available.

        If Timmy hid the extent of the injury and it contributed to his crappy play the rest of the way then the blame is on him.

        If Bradley knew the extent of the injury and kept him in there anyway, then that is on BB.

      • This is a different Paul (I believe I am the one that usually posts on this board), and I rate Tim higher.

        In terms on time with USMNT:
        – Keller (4 World Cups: 90, 98 – 1st choice, 02, 06 – 1st choice)
        – Howard (All time Cap leader; 3 World Cups: 06, 10 – 1st choice, 14 – 1st choice)
        – Friedel (3 World Cups: 94, 98, 02 ; 1 great world cup, but bailed on the team when he was not guaranteed #1)
        – Meola

        In terms of time with club team:
        – Howard (MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, 2003–04 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year, U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Glove, 2000 Summer Olympics – Fourth Place, 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Winners (’09, ’11 Runners up), Top 10 IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper (3): 2003, 2009, 2010; 350 EPL starts and Everton Club legend)

        – Keller (started in MLS, EPL (almost 400), La Liga (about 50), Bundesliga (75); 3x- U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year,

        – Friedel (U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year, 2002–03 FA Premier League PFA Team of the Year)

        It is too soon to rate Guzan for USMNT (juggling USMNT duty along with Club schedule is underestimated). However, I think he will be very good. US just has a knack for producing great keepers. I still think Timmy will be rated better at the end of the day.

        However, at the end of the day, it’s all subjective!

      • Friedel is considered by most English writers as the greatest keeper in EPL history. Howard is considered about the 5th best active keeper.

        Imagine Keller or Friedel’s US stats if the other hadn’t been around!

      • Friedel is DEFINITELY NOT considered the best EPL keeper of all time by most writers. I spent two stints living in Europe in the past 20 years, and I spent a lot of time in the UK and following the EPL because I am an Arsenal fan and and have friends and family in the UK. Friedel was not considered the best EPL at any time he was playing except maybe for that one season. He was considered a good keeper, but not the best. Off the top of my head, I can name a few better keepers in EPL (Schmiechel, Cech, Van der Saar, Seaman) off the top of my head.

      • Uh… hmmmm…. Best GK in the history of the EPL. Who said this… Cal Ripken?

        Brad has had an exceptional career and to have appeared as many times as he did consecutively and in aggregate is a testament to the sustained high level he played at. Having said that, he did not really win anything meaningful at the team or individual level in the EPL beyond his highly impressive EPL First XI in 2003. A legend, but I can’t say how he beats a guy like Schmeichel for example.

      • Keller is my favorite. He had some big games and more importantly he finished them. Frankenstein played like one good Cup (1998 stunk) and then quit internationally. Howard does some great stuff but to me Belgium is illustrative: many great saves of the highest order but ultimately he allows 2 and we lose.

        I’m somewhat concerned whether the next generations live up to their quality, though. Guzan is up and down and I think this year in the driver’s seat will be a useful transitional test. The rest are bluntly problematic, the guys who frittered away U-23. an ageing Rimando, the flawed Hall. It would be nice for a couple to step up with authority……GK has traditionally not been a US worry.

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