Tim Howard Headed to England

[Neuqua]

I know it's been in the works forever now but it looks like come July 1st, Tim Howard will officially be property of Manchester United.

Howard as good as gone

Tuesday, May 27, 2003

By IVES GALARCEP
HERALD NEWS

When Tim Howard's name was listed along with the more than 40 other

international players linked to potential moves to Manchester United, the easy reaction was to dispel it as another rumor. When the MetroStars goalkeeper was one of a handful of other net minders pegged to replace French international Fabian Barthez, it was seen as a possible publicity stunt to help sell tickets for Manchester United's upcoming tour of the United States.

It was no publicity stunt.

Major League Soccer and the MetroStars will sell Howard to Manchester United later this week for a transfer fee close to $3 million, two league sources confirmed Monday. With several league officials in Manchester, England for Wednesday's Champions League final between Juventus and AC Milan, the deal is expected to be finalized within the next three days.

Howard and MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis, the league's head of player transactions, were unavailable for comment and MetroStars general manager Nick Sakiewicz would not comment.

The deal will take effect this summer, meaning Howard is likely to play just two more games with the MetroStars before joining the U.S. national team for the Confederations Cup in France. Howard, 24, would join Manchester United in July for pre-season training and could make his return to Giants Stadium on July 31 when Manchester United plays Juventus.

The transfer, which would surpass the $2.4 million sale of Stern John to English club Nottingham Forest as the largest fee paid for an MLS player, ends a long relationship between Howard and the MetroStars. Signed as a Project-40 players at 19 in 1998, the North Brunswick native spent five seasons with the Metros, emerging as a star in 2001 after being handed the starting job.

In 79 games, Howard compiled a 36-34-8 record with 15 shutouts, earning MLS Best 11 honors in 2001 and 2002, and MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2001. Howard has been stellar in goal this season, recording shutouts in three of the team's seven games and leading the league in saves, save percentage and goals-against average. During his time with the Metros, Howard has emerged as a rising star for the U.S. national team, compiling six caps and recording five shutouts, most recently in a scoreless draw against Mexico on May 8.

The MetroStars will receive an allocation from the league to replace Howard and will now have considerable salary cap space with Howard's $270,000 off the books. The Metros have already begun their search for a replacement, having brought in Boca Juniors goalkeeper Silvio Dulcich. A 6-foot-3, 22-year-old who was the backup for Boca Juniors last season, Dulcich attended Saturday's MetroStars match and played in a scrimmage with the Metros against PDL club Jersey Shore Boca on Monday. Backup goalkeeper Paul Grafer is expected to start once the Metros return from their two-game road trip and face Chicago at Giants Stadium on June 14.

Howard's signing brings Manchester United one step closer to settling its goalkeeping situation. Barthez started for the English Premier League champions this past season, but has reportedly fallen out of favor with the club. The impending departure of backup Roy Carroll to Birmingham means that if Man. U. lets Barthez go, it would likely make a second signing from a considerable list of candidates led by Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi. Howard will compete for the starting job but may wind up serving an apprenticeship under Barthez or whichever veteran goalkeeper Man. U. signs.

Howard's departure may be just the first of two major losses for the Metros. Star forward Clint Mathis, who has scored goals in the last four MetroStars games, will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs when the July 1 transfer window opens. Mathis is in the last year of his contract with MLS.

That's good for him, and good news for the MLS. I've been hearing about Bocanegra possibly headed to Newcastle once his contract expires, and I'm sure Beasley won't be too far behind him.

First Freidal wins EPL GKeeper of the year, and now this. A good year for American soccer.



Neuqua

[Chief Rum]

Okay, does anyone else envision the above article as it would appear in a dumbed down news item in CM4? That's how I do. Funny, eh?

"Manchester Utd. agree to a transfer for New Jersey MetroStars' goalkeeper Tim Howard for $3 M."

I love to see American players making an impact in European football.

CR

[Mantle2600]

who

[Chief Rum]

Nope.

CR

[MIJB#19]

Originally posted by Chief Rum
I love to see American players making an impact in European football.

John O'Brien!