The former Secretary of Defense is getting the call to the Hall of Fame on his first try.
Former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard, who spent three and a half seasons with the club from 2016 to ’19 and made 100 appearances, was named to the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 on Saturday.
Howard, who earned 46 of 48 first-place ballots (95.8%) will be formally inducted to the NSHOF in Frisco, Texas, in May. It was Howard’s first year on the ballot since retiring in 2020. To meet eligibility requirements, those considered for the “Players” ballot must be retired for at least three seasons. Howard will join Marcelo Balboa (1995-2001) and Peter Vermes (1997-99) as the only Rapids players who have been enshrined.
Widely viewed as the greatest goalkeeper in American history and in North America, he earned the call after more than two decades between the posts. He appeared for the United States men’s national team 121 times, reaching two FIFA World Cups. During the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he recorded the single-most saves in a World Cup match, 16 against Belgium in the Round of 16. It was also where he was given his nickname. He spent 10 seasons in MLS, including five with the New York MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) from 1998 to 2003, and 13 seasons in the English Premier League with Manchester United (2003-07) and Everton (2007-16).
In March 2016, it was announced he would join the Rapids that summer after a remarkable career with Everton (329 appearances) at the end of that season. When he arrived in Commerce City, he was instantly elevated to the most significant signing in Colorado history and in his first season led the Rapids to a Western Conference Final appearance thanks to his penalty kick heroics. Howard remained Colorado’s No. 1 until he announced his retirement at the end of the 2019 season. The club named him to its All-Time Best XI in 2020.
On Saturday, the Hall of Fame sent a post out about the news, followed by NBC telling the New Jersey native live on “Premier League Live,” where he has been an on-air analyst since the 2020 season.
A typical Hall of Fame class consists of two or three “Players”, one or two “Veterans” and a “Builder,” for those who elevated soccer outside of the pitch. Two former Rapids players are also Class of 2024 finalists for the “Players” category: Kyle Beckerman (2002-2007) and Jermaine Jones (2016), while new Rapids head coach Chris Armas is a finalist under the “Veterans” category.
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