The road less traveled

by Marc Viquez
July 17, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)

For goalkeeper Tim Howard of the MetroStars, the road to Major League Soccer was a simple path. Howard would start from the bottom and work his way up the ranks of the USISL (now the United Soccer League) until he reached his goal. Howard's transition from playing on the small high school and college fields with the North Jersey Imperials of the D3 Pro League (Division III) of the USL has cemented him as one of the league's best goalkeepers this year.

"A lot of people look down on the fact that if they don't make it to the pro (game) right away that they are not successful," said Howard who enters his second season as the MetroStars starter.

Howard has been on a fast track to the pros since he debuted with the Imperials in 1997. Fresh out of North Brunswick (N.J.) High School, the goalkeeper signed with the Imperials and made the most of his first and only season with the team. He finished the year with a 0.99 GAA, 1,459 minutes played, and helped lead the team to the regular season championship. That year of professional experience was a big jump from his days in his hometown of North Brunswick.

"Certainly the pro game is much faster, and you have to make instant decisions; you really have to be a man," said Howard. "That helped guide me in a bit. It was greater than high school, but less than the MetroStars. It was a good medium for me to become successful and take it to the next level."

The next level for Howard was the U.S. Pro-40 in 1998, which was a joint venture between the USL and MLS that provided young players the chance to train with an MLS club all week and then report to the Pro-40 team to compete against A-League teams of the USL on the weekends. That team was comprised of future MLS players such as Dallas Burn goalkeeper Matt Jordan, Chicago Fire forward Josh Wolff, and Kansas City forward Eric Quill. Howard finished the season with one appearance as a starter before joining the MetroStars in 1999.

"I had so much fun that year as I look back," said Howard. "Guys were so passionate. Some of them worked different jobs, but they all came and brought so much passion to the field and every game was an awesome challenge for us"

That 1997 Imperials club was chock full of future MLS players and coaches that included D.C. United midfielder Petter Villegas, Chicago Fire goalkeeper Zach Thorton (who was on loan by the MetroStars for a short stint) and Kansas City Assistant and Goalkeepers Coach Tim Mulqueen. Mulqueen, who served as a player/head coach for the Imperials, also served as a coach with the MetroStars from 1998-2000.

"Tim Mulqueen is my mentor and a dear friend for life," added Howard who keeps in contact with his former teammate and coach.

This season Howard is having his most successful year in the MLS as he currently leads the league in minutes, saves, and saves average. The MetroStars are also on pace to make a second straight appearance in the playoffs and are currently in second place in the Eastern Division

"I count my blessings that the Lord has blessed me with this team and with this opportunity," added Howard.

The past five years for Tim Howard have been active with time spent on various U.S. international soccer teams and the 2000 Olympics. He has come a long way from patrolling the nets at the tiny FDU Stadium on the campus of Farleigh Dickinson University in 1997. He now calls Giants Stadium home, but there will always be a part of him that cherishes that season with the Imperials.

"That was my first pro contract and no matter where I go from here, that will be my first opportunity to prove myself," added Howard.

Major League Soccer Stories from July 17, 2002

• The road less traveled - OSC Original by Marc Viquez
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• Fire Eliminated by Milwaukee Rampage - Chicago Fire FC
• Spencer Goal Lifts Rapids to US Open Cup Victory over Charleston - Colorado Rapids
• Galaxy Stay Alive with 4-0 Victory - LA Galaxy
• Galaxy's Ruiz Voted MLS All-Star Team Starter - LA Galaxy
• MetroStars To "Kick For The Cure" This Saturday At Giants Stadium - New York Red Bulls
• Howard, Petke Named to MLS Starting Lineup for 2002 Pepsi All-Star Game - New York Red Bulls
• San Jose Earthquakes and TheraLife to Present Health Day At Spartan Stadium - San Jose Earthquakes
• Mathis Surgery Successful - New York Red Bulls
• Come "Run the Rapids" at the Colorado Rapids' Annual Stadium Charity Race - Colorado Rapids
• Kovalenko Earns Second All-Star Nod and Bocanegra Gets First - Chicago Fire FC

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