Tim Howard (born March 6, 1979, in North Brunswick, New Jersey) is a soccer goalkeeper, the first American to play for Manchester United's first team.
Howard started his pro career immediately after high school, playing with the North Jersey Imperials of the USISL. He was signed by Major League Soccer in 1998 and was assigned to the MetroStars, for whom he played until 2003. Tim backed up first Tony Meola and then Mike Ammann, but became the starting goalkeeper as the latter was traded before the 2001 season. Although he often played behind an atrocious Metro defense, Howard showed amazing skill, and his athleticism was unmatched. Tim was named MLS's Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001 and to the league's Best XI in 2001 and 2002, the year he was first capped for the United States national team (against Ecuador on March 10th). Howard has earned 11 caps for the US so far in his career.
Manchester United signed Howard in the middle of the 2003 MLS season, and he replaced French international Fabien Barthez as the club's first-choice goalkeeper. He started off very well at Manchester United, saving the decisive penalty in the Community Shield against Arsenal. However, later in the season Howard suffered from loss of form after Manchester United's early exit from the UEFA Champions League. After a short period of rest, Howard reclaimed his starting position and played in the 2004 FA Cup Final, picking up a winner's medal. He was the first American to do so. Howard was also named in the PFA Best XI in his first season at Manchester United, making him the only United player in the team. In his second year with Manchester United, he shared the goalkeeping duties with Roy Carroll, as inconsistent play from both players made it impossible for Alex Ferguson to stick with a single starter.
Howard started for the United States in the 1999 World Youth Championship in Nigeria and was a backup to Brad Friedel at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He suffers from a mild form of Tourette's Syndrome and was named MLS's Humanitarian of the Year in 2001 for his work with children afflicted with Tourette's.
