Colorado Rapids acquire U.S. International Tim Howard as a Designated Player 
Colorado Rapids have announced the acquisition of U.S. international goalkeeper Tim Howard from Everton as a Designated Player. Howard will be added to the club’s roster upon the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window (July 4), pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The Rapids acquired Howard via the Allocation Process after the club secured the #1 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order in a trade with the Chicago Fire on January 14, 2016.
“Tim is exceptional, both as a player and a person,” said Paul Bravo, Technical Director and VP of Soccer Operations. “He proved it at the last World Cup for the U.S National Team and he has been proving it for the last decade in the English Premier League. He has experience at the very pinnacle of the sport but we feel he has much still to offer on the pitch. We believe this is a pivotal signing for the Colorado Rapids.”
Howard has represented USMNT in every year since 2002 and, during that time, has amassed 106 caps. He was ever-present for his country during the 2014 World Cup and created a record for the most saves in a tournament game with 16 stops against Belgium in the Knockout Round. He has also represented the U.S. in the World Cups of 2006 and 2010. With his national team, Howard has won the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup and was runner-up at the 2009 Confederations Cup. He took home the Golden Glove as the best keeper in the latter event. He was voted the CONCACAF Goalkeeper of the Year in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
At club level, Howard has been playing in the English Premier League since 2003, when he joined Manchester United after a six-year spell with the MetroStars in MLS. During his time at Old Trafford he played 77 games, winning the FA Cup, Football League Cup and FA Community Shield. He also represented Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the UEFA Champions League.
Howard moved to Everton in 2006, initially on loan and then on a permanent deal. At present he has been featured in 415 games for the Liverpool-based club. In 2009, he set a club record for most clean sheets in a season and saved two penalties in a shoot-out against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final to send his team into the final. At the end of the 2013 season, he kept his 100th clean-sheet for the club against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
“Tim is one of the greatest players this country has ever produced and we are delighted that he chose the Colorado Rapids when he decided to rejoin MLS,” said Tim Hinchey, Team President. “We believe he can be an ambassador not only for our club but for the sport of soccer in the U.S. We are truly excited that Tim is a part of our future and on behalf of everyone associated with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, welcome him to our club.”
Transaction: Colorado Rapids (MLS) – March 20, 2016 – Acquire international goalkeeper Tim Howard from Everton as a Designated Player. Howard will be added to the club’s roster upon the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window (July 4), pending receipt of his ITC. The Rapids acquired Howard via the Allocation Process after the club secured the #1 spot in the Allocation Ranking Order in a trade with the Chicago Fire on January 14, 2016.
Full name: Timothy Matthew Howard
Height: 6’3”
Birth Date: March 6, 1979
Birthplace: North Brunswick, USA
Previous club: Everton
Twitter: @TimHowardGK
Instagram: @TimHow1
Tim Howard will participate in a 30-minute media teleconference call at 1:45 pm ET followed by an exclusive Live Q&A on the Colorado Rapids Facebook page at around 3:00 pm ET.
Media members interested in joining the teleconference call must call-in and provide the conference call ID number below:
http://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2016/03/20/colorado-rapids-acquire-us-international-tim-howard-designated-player
