Secaucus, NJ (January 27, 2003) - The team announced today that it has signed two-time MLS All-Star goalkeeper Tim Howard to a new multi-year deal. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Howard, 23, was named the Aquafina Goalkeeper of the Year in 2001 and to the MLS Pepsi Best XI squad in 2002. He also captured his second straight ADT MetroStars Defensive Player of the Year award last season, after leading the league for the second straight year in saves (140), catch/punches (115) and save average (5.12).
The New Jersey native registered four shutouts in 2002, and put together a two-year streak of starting and playing every minute (5,121) in 56 straight MLS regular season and playoff games, a streak that did not end until the MetroStars' next-to-last game of the 2002 season.
Off the field, Howard is active in creating awareness for Tourette's Syndrome, which is a neurological disorder caused by rapid and involuntary tics and vocalizations. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey. Howard's bravery and honesty in dealing with the disorder has made him an example to many youths afflicted with TS.
Howard joined the MetroStars prior to the start of the 1998 season as a Project 40 player. He played sparingly in his first three seasons, but took on the starting role and defensive leadership of the team in 2001 and has never looked back collecting one accolade after another.
"New Jersey and the MetroStars have been my home for a long time," said Howard, who holds three caps with the U.S. National Team. "I am happy that I will be able to play the sport I love so much in front of my family, friends, and the best soccer fans in the country. Most importantly, now that the contract details are finalized and behind me, it is time to get ready for another season, which I hope will end with the hoisting of our first-ever MLS Cup."
"Tim Howard is one of our league's finest goalkeepers, who has plenty of his best soccer days still to come, " said MetroStars GM/President Nick Sakiewicz. "He is a local product who has taken his career to new heights playing in Major League Soccer. We are proud to have Tim Howard on our team for his accomplishments on-and-off the field with the MetroStars."
"Tim is one of the bright stars of Major League Soccer," said MetroStars Head Coach Bob Bradley. "I am happy to be able to count on his terrific ability and leadership for the upcoming 2003 season and beyond."
Howard is currently in camp with the U.S. National Team in Bradenton Florida preparing for upcoming internationals against Argentina (February 8) and Jamaica (February 12). He will rejoin the club for preseason training under new coach Bob Bradley following the game against Jamaica.
Tim Howard #18
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 6-3
Weight: 210
Born: March 6, 1979 in North Brunswick, New Jersey
Hometown: North Brunswick, New Jersey
School: North Brunswick High School (NJ)
How Acquired: Allocated to MetroStars as a Project 40 player prior to the start of the '98 season.
Past Clubs: North Jersey Imperials (USISL, '97)
Internationals: U.S. U-17, U-18, U-20, U-23, '00 U.S. Olympic Team, U.S. Men's National Team (3 Caps)
Personal Profile
Native of North Brunswick, NJ will begin his sixth season with the MetroStars in 2003... Named as a starter for the MLS All-Stars that faced the U.S. in RFK on August 3 (played first half with no GA in 3-2 MLS win)...Named Major League Soccer's 2001 Aquafina Goalkeeper of the Year and New York Life Humanitarian of the Year in his first season as a starter in 2001...Also earned the 2001 Nickelodeon GAS Play of the Year award for his diving save of a Paul Bravo header at Colorado on April 14, 2001...Graduated from North Brunswick H.S. (NJ) in 1997, and immediately entered professional soccer by playing for the North Jersey Imperials (USISL)... Born with a condition called Tourette's Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by rapid and involuntary tics and vocalizations, Howard is now active in creating awareness for TS... Named on November 12, 2001 to the Board of Directors of the Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey (TSANJ)...Visited the White House with the entire U.S. Men's Olympic Soccer Team in November 2000...Trained with Italian power AC Milan in November '98
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