Around 21 years ago this time, Tim Howard got a massive move in his young career, something he couldn’t even dare to dream.

The 24-year-old at the time was playing in MLS with NY/NJ MetroStars. He also had just nine caps for the USMNT, being third in the packing order behind Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller.

Yet, Howard was signed by Manchester United in the summer of 2003, the reigning Premier League champions at the time and one of the best teams in the world full of superstars.

Even if the Premier League champions today sign a 24-year-old third choice USMNT keeper from MLS to be their starter, it would be crazy. Now imagine that back in 2003.

What followed was a 13-year-stint in the Premier League and over 100 more caps with the USMNT, becoming the most capped goalkeeper for the team.

He’s just been inducted to the U.S. Soccer National Hall of Fame last weekend. This is his story.

Howard was born and raised in New Jersey to an African-American father and a Hungarian-American mother. 

As a kid, he loved different sports and was constantly playing. However, he was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and OCD in sixth grade, putting doubts on whether he can ever become a professional athlete.

That didn’t stop him though. Just a year later, he caught the attention of a U.S. U-17 assistant coach at a single $25 soccer coaching session. Howard was then given free coaching sessions, eventually leading to being put in an Olympic Development Player Camp and then the Olympic Development Program.

Despite being seen as a future star goalkeeper by U.S Soccer national youth coaches, Howard didn’t play as a goalkeeper in high school. Instead, he was playing as a midfielder, and also played basketball— where he was one of the star players bringing his school to the state finals.

While he was being a basketball star in his senior year of high school, he also started playing soccer professionally with North Jersey Imperials in the USISL. He made six appearances right before he graduated, it’s incredible how he found time to do all this while still keeping up with his studies.

After high school, he opted to play in MLS instead of college, signing with the MetroStars in 1998. He racked up 93 appearances in six seasons and earned the attention of the USMNT, and surprisingly, Manchester United.

The 1998 World Cup winner Fabian Barthez was leaving the club, and Sir Alex Ferguson identified Howard as the replacement, which sent shockwaves to a lot of fans and the English media.

He would go on to make 44 appearances in all competitions in his first season, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield. However, things weren’t all rosy. 

Howard was blamed for United’s shock Champions League elimination to young José Mourinho’s Porto. Then he was dropped on and off for Roy Carroll in the second season, making 26 appearances in all competitions. 

He signed a new deal until 2009 in the summer of 2005 with United. But it was clear his costly mistakes in the second season lost him a starting spot. United brought in an experienced Dutch keeper Edwin van der Sar in that summer, and Howard made just six appearances in the 2005/06 season. 

In the summer of 2006, he moved to Everton on loan for more playing time, and impressed with 27 appearances in that season. He signed a permanent deal with them later on. And the rest, they say, is history.

With Keller and Friedel’s retirements, Howard also became an undisputed starter for the USMNT. He was one of the key players in the 2010 World Cup and 2014 World Cup. To this day, he is remembered for his distribution which led to the game-winning goal against Algeria and breaking the record for most saves in a World Cup match against Belgium.

Last Saturday, he attended his Hall of Fame induction ceremony with his daughter Ali, who recently announced her decision to play college soccer with the University of Tennessee.

“I hear people talk about me and say ‘God given ability’ and I don’t know what that is. That’s ambiguous, vague, and subjective,” Howard said in his speech.

 “What’s not ambiguous, vague, and subjective is my desire to become the greatest goalkeeper this country has ever seen.” 

“The bell rang 121 times for me. And 121 times I answered the bell for the greatest country in the world.”

He also touched on his time in Everton and working with David Moyes, who basically resurrected his career when things wren’t working out for him in England.

“Everton is one of the best things that ever happened in my life. David Moyes is the greatest manager I’ve ever played for. He instilled in me leadership, accountability, responsibility, and taught me to be mature.” 

“I grew up to be the person I always hoped I would be while playing for David Moyes.”

Howard is now a part-owner and sporting director of the USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC. He also serves as a pundit for NBC Sports’ coverage of the Premier League.

The 45-year-old had a legendary playing career for an American, and has deservedly been inducted to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. It will be tough for this country to produce another goalkeeper with not only the same caliber of talent as him, but also the same mental toughness and attitude.