Tim Howard’s time in England is coming to a close, and the veteran US national team goalkeeper is starting turn his attention towards MLS.
Howard will leave English Premier League club Everton next month, presumably play for the USMNT at the Copa America Centenario in June and then join his new club, the Colorado Rapids, in July. The 37-year-old recently spoke with NBC Sports about the end of his tenure in England and his impending return to MLS, where he played five years with the MetroStars before signing with Manchester United in 2003.
Howard reflected on some of the ways the league has changed during his 13 years in England, and – interestingly, considering his age – challenged the notion that MLS is a league for aging European stars.
“I think the quality of play has gotten better. The fanbase has grown and is more knowledgeable,” Howard said. “Some of the players that have gone back over, this ain’t a retirement league. Now you have players going over like [Sebastian] Giovinco, he is incredible. Giovani dos Santos, probably one of the top Mexican players of all time who is playing there in his prime.
"That’s exciting because for me, when I was a 21-year-old in MLS, that wasn’t the case.”
For much more from Howard, including his thoughts on the US's Copa America hopes, the paucity of Americans in England and his feelings for Everton, head to NBC Sports.
