Some of Tim Howard’s most memorable moments in Major League Soccer played out in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The MetroStars made way for the New York Red Bulls and Giants Stadium made way for MetLife Stadium. But on Friday night, the legendary goalkeeper will achieve yet another career milestone in his home state.
Howard, who will retire at the end of the MLS season, will be honored tonight before the US men’s national team meets Mexico in an international friendly (8:30 PM ET | FS1, Univision, TUDN) in the 70th all-time edition of the heated rivalry.
It is part of what U.S. Soccer announced as a “new initiative to acknowledge outstanding achievement,” formally honoring any senior men or women’s national team standout upon their retirement from professional soccer who earn at least 100 caps and appear on the roster of two World Championships, including World Cups and Olympic Games. This recognition will be given to players retiring in 2019 and beyond.
Howard, 40, was part of three World Cup squads (2006, 2010, 2014), serving as the starter in the latter two tournaments. His 15 saves against Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup set the single-game record for the tournament. Having played for the USMNT from 2002-2017, Howard leaves the game as the holder of multiple records among USMNT goalkeepers, including 121 caps, 119 starts, 62 wins and eight World Cup appearances.
Howard, who earned his fourth clean sheet of the season in the Colorado Rapids’ 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in his final game in the Garden State, is in his fourth season with the Rapids. He spent the first six years of his careers with his hometown MetroStars before a successful stint in the English Premier League with Manchester United and Everton.
