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After a 21-year career, Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard announced that he will retire after the 2019 season.
I’m greatly looking forward to kicking off the 2019 MLS season, as it will be my LAST. There will be plenty of time for sentiment later. For now, I am going to enjoy every minute. And as I’ve always done, compete hard and help lead the Rapids with the sole purpose of winning. pic.twitter.com/QWuCcy7gW2
— Tim Howard (@TimHowardGK) January 22, 2019
Howard came to the Colorado Rapids in the middle of the 2016 season, appropriately enough, on July 4th. During his time with the New York Metrostars (1998-2003), Manchester United (2003-2007), and most notably with Everton (2006-2016—he was on loan from Manchester United for the first 25 games, followed by another 329 between the sticks), Howard has proven himself ever the professional, maintaining his goalkeeping chops at a very high level.
And lest we forget the 121 caps with the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) where his high mark was his 16-save performance against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup, giving him the moniker of Secretary of Defense.
For many of us, Howard’s performance in the 2016 Western Conference semifinals against the LA Galaxy still lives on in the hearts of every Rapids supporter. You can see his penalty shot performance starting at 1:47.
While this will not be the end of the eulogizing of Tim Howard’s final campaign, hopefully this will help fuel an epic 2019 season that will take the Rapids deep into the playoffs and send him off well.
Thank you, Tim Howard, for all you’ve meant to US Soccer, to MLS, and how well you represented the US during your significant time in the English Premier League. You have been and will continue to be a great ambassador for US soccer! All the best to you!