Tim Howard Receives NSCAA All-America Award Honors
As one of the most celebrated American soccer athletes over the last ten years, Tim Howard has received recognition for his influence on the game as the NSCAA 2016 Honorary All-America award winner. Howard is the most-capped goalkeeper in U.S. men’s soccer history and holds the record for most saves in a FIFA World Cup match – 16 versus Belgium in the United States’ round of 16 matchup in 2014. The New Jersey native returned to American soccer in March, signing a three-year deal with the Colorado Rapids.
The NSCAA remains dedicated to recognizing individuals who bring recognition to soccer through their personal and professional efforts as Howard receives the annual award.
Soccer News: United States Men’s National Team member and Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard has been selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as the recipient of its 2016 Honorary All-America award. Howard will be presented the award at the organization’s All-America Luncheon on January 14th in Los Angeles, in conjunction with its annual NSCAA convention.
The NSCAA recognizes the best college, high school and youth players each year for both men and women’s soccer through its All-America program. A selection committee picks individuals who bring distinctive recognition to soccer through their personal and professional efforts. Past recipients have included players, coaches, individuals from business, government, the entertainment industry and American heroes including astronauts, military personnel and legendary icons of the beautiful game.
“The NSCAA is proud to recognize an American soccer icon like Tim Howard as our 2016 Honorary All-American,” said Amanda Vandervort, NSCAA President. “His outstanding career as one of the best goalkeepers of all-time speaks for itself, but his personal story of meeting many difficult challenges head on and his success has been an inspirational story for so many people.”
Howard is the most capped goalkeeper of all-time for the USMNT, with more than 100 appearances since his international debut in 2002. Howard was unable to make it into the starting roster at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but quickly became the starter, appearing in the net for all of the U.S. games in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and 2014 in Brazil.
In Howard’s 2014 autobiography entitled The Keeper, he describes his life and career dealing with Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that created unique challenges for him during his rise as a world-class athlete.
Howard was born on March 6, 1979, in North Brunswick, New Jersey, to an African American father and native Hungarian mother. At six-feet-three-inches tall, he was a standout athlete in high school, playing midfield for his soccer program and helping the basketball team to the state finals during his senior year. Howard transitioned to goalkeeper after a single private coaching session identified his potential.
After stints with club programs including the Central Jersey Cosmos and later with the USISL team New Jersey Imperials, Howard joined the New York MetroStars of the Major League Soccer at the age of 19. He played six seasons in New York (1998-2003), earning the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Award during the 2001 season.
Manchester United paid a large transfer fee to sign Howard during the 2003 MLS season and he joined the English Premier League club later that campaign, quickly becoming the club’s first choice in the net. After four years with the Red Devils, Howard signed with Everton where he continued a stellar career that included saving two penalty kicks against former club United in a 2009 FA Cup semifinal shootout to send his side to the championship versus Chelsea. During that campaign he set the Everton record for shutouts in a season. He was a fixture in goal for the club through February of 2016, which included a run of 210 consecutive Premier League appearances.
On March 20, 2016, Major League Soccer announced that Howard would return home after signing a three-year deal with the Colorado Rapids.
PAST NSCAA Honorary All-Americans
- 2015, Jill Ellis, U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach
- 2014, Sir Alex Ferguson, Former Manager, Manchester United
- 2013, Bob Bradley, Former U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach
- 2012, Julie Foudy, U.S. Women’s National Team
- 2011, Sunil Gulati, President, US Soccer
- 2010, Joe Gaetjens, 1950 U.S. Men’s National Team member
- 2009, JP Dellacamera, ESPN
- 2008, Dr. Sandra Magnus, U.S. astronaut
- 2007, Kristine Lilly, five-time U.S. Women’s World Cup player
- 2006, John and Maureen Hendricks; founders of the Discovery Channel
- 2005, Jon Stewart; comedian/TV talk show host
