It’s taken nearly three years, but American goalkeeper Tim Howard is once again on top of his game: first choice at Everton and now, first choice for the U.S. national team. The 28-year-old’s career is rising again, but this time he’s learned not to take it for granted. “I still feel I have to prove myself every game,” Howard told the Boston Herald before Saturday’s Gold Cup quarterfinal against Panama in Foxborough. “From my point of view, I just hope I continue to do well to earn that right to play. You have to prove yourself every day, and that’s the way it should be.”
The most high-profile and still, most expensive export in MLS history, Howard moved to English giant Manchester United before the 2003-04 EPL season, where he was almost immediately installed as the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Howard had a great first year with Man United, earning the league’s Goalkeeper of the Year award in addition to winning the FA Cup. However, a series of high-profile errors cost him his place the following season, as Sir Alex Ferguson struggled to decide between Howard and Roy Carroll, who were both replaced before the 2005-06 season by Edwin van der Sar.
“He got to Man United, and actually I think he got too much too soon, quite honestly,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. This season, Man United loaned the big American out to Liverpool-based Everton, where Howard earned a permanent contract after playing in all but two of the club’s matches.