Tim Howard’s legendary career has earned him a spot in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Howard was elected to the Hall of Fame on Saturday in his first year of eligibility. The longtime professional and U.S. men’s national team shotstopper amassed over 700 appearances between club and country, enjoying ample success in England and the United States.
A New Jersey native, Howard’s 121 USMNT caps are the eighth-most in federation history and the most by a goalkeeper. He featured in FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) and won two CONCACAF Gold Cups in his international career.
After making his pro debut in 1998 with the MetroStars, Howard played six seasons with them, totaling over 80 appearances. He then made a monumental move to English Premier League giants Manchester United in 2003, being part of the Red Devils squad until his permanent move to Everton in 2007.
He was named to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2003 and also won three trophies with the Red Devils.
Howard’s most productive period came at Goodison Park from 2006-16 where he served as the Toffees’ No. 1 for 10 seasons. He featured in over 400 appearances for Everton before concluding his professional career in the U.S. with both the Colorado Rapids and Memphis 901 FC.
Howard earned 15 individual awards during his professional and international career and now is part owner of Dagenham & Redbridge and Memphis 901 FC.
46 votes out of 48. I would like to know the reasons why two voters didn’t vote for him.
Clearly 2 voters just always vote no on first ballots, or they forgot to turn it in entirely.
A no-brainer. Only question is, was he the greatest American goalkeeper ever? I’m a Keller fan myself, but Howard’s performance against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup was epic, maybe the best individual keeper performance ever.
No.
I always felt comfortable with Kasey in goal.
Until the 2014 World Cup, Howard always made me nervous.
The USMNT lost that Belgium game. They were big underdogs. And as heroic as what Howard did was, in the end it did not matter. 1-0 or 3,4,or 5-0 it does not matter in the knockout phase of a tournament.
I don’t believe that losing “worse” makes any difference. No moral victories. A loss is a loss.
Kasey’s greatest game was a when we beat Brazil 1-0 in the Gold Cup. We were supposed to lose that game too. But Kasey made a difference and we won.
And we almost never, ever beat Brazil.
Howard’s game against Belgium was incredible, win or lose. Keller vs. Brazil was great too, but Romario literally shot or headed the ball right at Keller, many times. the Preki goal was sick sick sick
anyway, I don’t know who the best was, but the best GK performance ever?
Friedel vs. South Korea for me…in a World Cup win…played in South Korea
a World Cup tie 😉
You’re right about Friedel vs. South Korea.
For me , based on overall consistency, Brad and Kasey are tied for #1.
As for “but Romario literally shot or headed the ball right at Keller, many times.”, I’ve watched tape of that game and I’ve always felt a great keeper reads the game well enough and positions themselves so that it looks like that.
A lot of spectacular saves I’ve seen, are routine catches if the keeper is standing in the right spot.
I’ve seen a lot of Buffon’s games where he’s down right boring because it seems like everyone is just shooting right at him.