Tim Howard

Despite its worldwide appeal there have never been many Americans running the pitch for football, a game they insist on calling soccer. But that is changing and at the forefront of the invasion is Tim Howard, arguably the best goalkeeper currently in the sport. The rise from obscurity in a country that does not give football the credit its due, Tim worked his way through a broken home and what has been called a mild case of Tourette’s syndrome.

Tim excelled in several sports through high school but “soccer” was by far his preferred game. He says, “I knew I wasn’t going to play for the NBA.” He was recruited to the MetroStars out of high school and proceeded to play in his signature winning fashion.

Tim’s goalkeeping was so outstanding that their Goalkeeping Coach, Tony Coton, recruited him for Manchester United. Even with the press making rude and tactless remarks about Tim’s Tourette’s he did the unprecedented and started playing immediately. Tim didn’t let his new team or the fans down. Showing the American determination to be number 1 Tim ignored the press and hit the pitch with an intensity of focus that has propelled him to fame.

Unlike the flashy styles and egos of many great goalkeepers, Tim feels that stopping the ball is more important than looking good at it. The American puts it simply, “if it looks great, fantastic. If it looks ugly and works, that’s OK. I just try and stop it. That’s it.” Such an attitude is why this American is at the head of England’s prime sport.