TIM: Unfortunately for soccer, there are too many sports to choose from in America. When you go outside of borders, soccer is the only thing that matters in every other country in the world. So we are at a distinct disadvantage right from the get-go. I think the best way to continue to grow the sport is to not oversaturate it. And what I mean by that is, are there people who care about soccer in America? Yes. Large numbers. Are we gaining fans week by week? Yes. But I think if you oversaturate markets, I think you’re destined to fail. So we need to continue to concentrate on what’s working, both with our National team with the MLS and the USL and all the leagues that are creating and committed to developing talent. I think the difficult part of the question is how do we create and develop young talent? It’s difficult in our country. It’s very, very difficult because there’s so many avenues whether it’s hockey or basketball or baseball or football. You can choose anything. And you know it costs a lot of money to play soccer in America whether anyone wants to believe that or not. So, I think a lot of the Latino community and the African American community are largely missing out in this country and so are lower socioeconomic communities. Because unfortunately my daughter plays on a very good team and that very good team costs a lot of money for mom and dad. So we’re lucky that we can afford to do that and put her on the best teams but it’s not the case everywhere.

We’re lucky that we can afford to do that and put her on the best teams but it’s not the case everywhere.

BRIAN: See we could do a whole podcast on what I think of the pay-to-play soccer and the elite soccer and does that path get you to college or pro like you or your parents want you to be. Or if you’re just playing on your high school team or your Junior College team. Does that get you where you need to go? It’s an interesting conversation but like you said it can cost a lot of money to take that path. And I don’t know if it necessarily costs as much money if you’re a basketball player, or a football player, or a golfer, or lacrosse player, or something like that.

TIM: No, I don’t think it does. And I think that it’s a longer podcast. But you know, you look at what basketball is to the inner cities of America or you see hockey to all the kids that’s growing up in Canada, right? It’s a pick-up sport. It’s all it’s ever been, you know. And that’s what soccer is for the rest of the world, right? And I think that’s probably a model that we should look at. Not exclusively but certainly that should be a model an offer to players in America.

BRIAN: You just referenced your daughter and I referenced my daughter earlier. Women just won the World Cup, the US Women. Now there’s the big debate going on right now about equal pay. How do you and I know that this is probably a whole nother podcast, too? But how do you even start to address that issue knowing that the Women’s team in the United States has performed at a very high level?

TIM: Yes.

BRIAN: And they bring in revenue and they check all the boxes. And I know that they are trying to get equal pay. And again as dads to daughters, I always want my daughter to have equal rights with anyone else. How do we address that issue?

TIM: Well I think the starting point for the argument is flawed. I think the starting point for what anyone should get paid, particularly when it comes to US Soccer and Women’s Team vs the Men’s Team, I think we need to take the emotion out of it. And unfortunately, we look at the New York Times and all the news and all the headlines, all people want to talk about is the emotional side of it. And I think when it comes down to getting paid it sounds simplistic. Its dollars and cents. It’s very simple. And the US Soccer is no different than any other employer in a sense that people should get paid and will ultimately whether it’s my opinion or not, will ultimately get paid based on the bottom line. Revenue, dollars, and cents — simple as that.

And until there’s really hard facts and numbers that are getting thrown out and debated, it’s not really a debate. Now the only thing that I ever read is, if you’re not on the side of equal pay then you’re sexist. And that’s the stupidity, right? There’s so much more to this argument than just that and so I think we need to take the emotion out it and we need to talk real dollars and cents. Once you start talking dollars and cents, I think then you can have a real debate and a real argument.

BRIAN: No, I agree. It’s interesting to see what NWSL is doing since the World Cup. They signed a deal with Budweiser. Their games are on ESPN. Do you think US Soccer is doing enough to promote the NWSL?

TIM: I think that the end NWSL is a fantastic league. I think that it’s the best league in the world. When you look at Women’s Soccer, hands down it’s the best league in the world. So absolutely they should be partnered with the biggest brands going particularly in America. Again I don’t have all the numbers so I don’t like to speak out of turn. I think US Soccer has in terms of helping to get the league up and running, helped it become sustainable, I think US Soccer certainly there played its part. So, I wouldn’t be so quick to rake them over the coals. But again, I don’t have all that information.

BRIAN: Okay, that makes sense. So, you’ve played English Premiere. Obviously, you’re playing in MLS. Where does MLS rank now as a league globally in your opinion? Because I feel for years they have really been trying to improve the caliber of play and signing the best players like yourself. Where do they stand right now?

TIM: It’s tough to — that’s an ambiguous question because we don’t play in competitions that pit us on our best day against European competition. We can try to judge friendlies and say, “Oh, such and such is playing European based team.” But you know, again, the margins aren’t always the same. Like you’re not always playing the same team, or maybe the second team or whatever. So it’s difficult to say. I think that the fact that you can bring over a Zlatan Ibrahimović and a Wayne Rooney and Carlos Vela — guys who clearly have some of the best European pedigree going. And certainly, South American pedigree when you look at Atlanta United. And they can dominate the league and it’s not like an old man league. In my case, it might be.

BRIAN: [laughs]

TIM: For most of these guys they’re dominating the league. And so clearly, I think you see that we’re able to attract global talent and these guys can compete and make their MLS Clubs better. And so I think you start there. Again, what does it look like from a results standpoint? I don’t know. It’s too tough to tell. Who would win if this team played? Well, it’s a difficult exercise. But for players like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimović, just to name a few, these guys could clearly earn contracts at very good European Clubs and chose MLS. And that’s a massive statement for the league.

BRIAN: I want to talk about your endorsement partners. You’ve worked with a number of different companies over the years. Nike being a longtime partner of yours. And I ask this to athletes all the time when I have them on my show. What do you look for in your endorsement partners?

TIM: Yeah, I think what I try to do as the years have gone by, I try not to dilute my brand; my own, personal brand. Meaning, I don’t just sign off on just anybody who is willing to throw money at me. We all work hard and we all are trying to money. But, I want it to be the right fit. I want to have a smaller stable of endorsements and sponsors. But, the right one who is committed to long-term growth; my success and their own success. You know loyalty is huge. I like building relationships with people who I work with at these companies. Not just like a, “Hey, where’s the camera? Turn the lights on. I’ll say the speech. And then I’ll go home.” I want to create genuine relationships with these people and companies because I think that that’s important. That’s how I see it. To be the best, in regards to who I want to be endorsing my brand, and who I want to be a part of…right? Because, as much as I’m throwing their name around, I want my name to be synonymous with good people. It’s not easy. I think at first when you’re young your like just give me money. I’m trying to build my bank account and not just a sustainable relationship. But I think it’s important that you build those.

BRIAN: More and more athletes are looking at equity as part of the relationship, versus it used to just be, “Hey, here’s a million bucks! You’re our spokesperson.” Now, athletes are saying, “You know what? Instead of the money, I wanna invest in this company.” Do you look at those types of deals as well?

TIM: Yeah! Again, as I’ve gotten older that stuff matters more to me, right? Like, you hit the nail right on the head. As I said, young athlete or, I look at myself back then like, “The heck with buying in! Just give me some money that I can start saving,” right?

BRIAN: Right.

TIM: But yes! As I’ve gotten older and I look at some of the elite athletes; I think currently the one that sticks out is LeBron James, right? You begin to see how powerful ownership is. Yeah, it’s nice to get a paycheck and then you go on your merry way. But, when you’re in ownership, or are an owner, you then become relevant at the table. And, we all want to be relevant.

BRIAN: I know one of your partners is Wiley X glasses.

TIM: Yeah!

BRIAN: I loved the commercial that you and your daughter just did for their Youth Force line. How fun was it to make that commercial with her?

TIM: Well, that was the first time so like, my daughter…it was amazing! It was amazing. It was the first time that uh…you know, that she had ever been a part of something like that, and it was a big deal for her. And for me it was special, and I just remember that my daughter is outspoken and outgoing, and boisterous. She got on set, and like everybody else, and the other…they saw the camera, and she was nervous. It was funny seeing a different side of her. But, I thought she nailed it, and you know being able to do that together is something that doesn’t come around every day so, I was really thankful for that opportunity.

BRIAN: You seem like such a great dad, from what I can observe. You know, again, I have a 14 year old. It’s different parenting now, with social media and things like that. What do you tell your kids, you know as far as the most important things, as you’re trying to kinda coach them through life?

TIM: Uh, yeah, you know its…you’re right about that. Parenting in 2019 and 2020 is vastly different than back in ’89, but…I would imagine. You know, there’s just a lot more pitfalls, but like anything else, rather than put the blinders on my kids and shelter them, I think also massive learning tools, right? Like, stumbling and faltering are good moments to teach and, they have a wonderful mother. And we have an incredible relationship, in-terms of parenting our children, and you know we want them to be successful. I think sometimes you have to use some of these pitfalls for good. Right? Like, allow them enough rope, enough leash to kinda go and be their own person, and let them know what’s around the corner. And then when those things happen you kinda circle the wagon a little bit and move on.

BRIAN: No, I think that’s great advice. There’s a lot of helicopter parents out there and uh, they don’t let the kid trip up at all. And then, how do you learn in life?

TIM: Right! That’s true. Look, I think you learn almost exclusively from your failures. You know, the successes are great but, you kinda roll with those. It’s in failure that you have to rethink some things.

BRIAN: One of the things I admire the most about you is that you were diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, I think 6th grade? Uh, you have developed the Howard’s Heroes program. I absolutely love what you’ve done with your platform, and I can just tell the difference that you’re making in the lives of the kids who meet with you. What do you tell them when you meet with them? Or do they have specific questions? Because, you really seem to be kinda the face of Tourette syndrome for them, and they can look up to you. And they have a role model in you; I think it’s just wonderful.

TIM: Well, I appreciate you saying that. We started the program with some wonderful people here in our community relations department at the Rapids. And we’ve been inundated — I have my whole career — with letters, phone calls, and emails with opportunities to meet people and I can’t always make those happen. There’s just not enough hours in a day to get to everyone.

So, what we did was we offered the opportunity for kids and families with TS, you know, to come to the stadium. And the greatest part was we housed our program here. But, we’ve extended the offer to every away team that we’ve gone to and they’ve, to an organization they have all been accommodating and giving tickets, and liaise with the families. It’s been really incredible bro. It was just something we kinda thought about in the off-season, two seasons ago and it’s taken off.

I kind of tell them in a little bit of a nutshell how it was when I was their age; depending on what age they were. But, more than anything, I want to hear their story. They always have the best questions for me. You know, they write down questions and tell me things and ask me things, but I’m inspired by them you know. I think that when I was a kid, I was…it’s a tough condition to have because it’s right in your face, it’s nothing you can hide. And so, you know I tried to hide it when I was a kid. I meet so many teenagers and children with TS who tell me about standing up in front of their class and speaking to their teachers and their classmates, and telling them what they have. And I’m just like, “Wow!” I’m blown away by their courage.

BRIAN: Well, I’ll tell you what, I hope you’re able to keep it going after you retire. And if there’s anything we can ever do via our platforms to help you please, please let me know. Because, like I said, I just think it’s such an incredible program. I know you only have a couple of minutes left. Social media. Are you running your own platforms? Because, I see you on Instagram and Twitter. I love the pictures that you post, the commercial that you posted with your daughter. You promote your partners really well. You seem to have a good rhythm with how to use social media.

TIM: Yeah, look, I have a good balance. Between myself and agency — someone in particular at my agency — we run my social media. Meaning, basically, I have access to all of it. And I have to things, so I’m on there regularly, and you know, I try to interact as best I can. It’s a slippery slope, social media, because you know you have hundreds of thousands of followers; in some people’s cases millions. And it’s virtually impossible to appease everyone and make everyone happy. But, yeah, I think it can be used for a lot of good, and I think there’s also a ton of pitfalls on there. So, I think more than anything you have to be aware of those things.

BRIAN: You wrote a book, “The Keeper: A Life of Saving Goals and Achieving Them.” A lot of people wait to write their book when they’re done playing. You wrote yours before you’re done playing; why?

TIM: Well, I thought the timing was right you know. I think it was right at the, probably the apex of your career as a goal keeper, 34/35 and I wrote it with the hope that there were more chapters to be written. Or, possibly another book about other things; what’s next. Who knows? But, I thought at the time I had quite a lot of a story to tell and I wanted to do that.

BRIAN: Is there anything that you wanted people; I know a lot of people write a book and they’re like, “I hope these are the three takeaways that people have for the book,” or did you just kinda write it because it was therapeutic?

TIM: Ugh, no, I do think there are takeaways. And I think that for me perseverance and hard work is the solution to any difficulty. It’s the only way to achieve greatness. And I think that what I wanted to show was is there’s a massive human element to me. And I think that through a lot of my failures that were highlighted, I’ve found success. And you know I think when people read things like that you can meet them in a moment that’s like, “Alright, I am going through this challenge here myself but if I wasn’t working hard I can work harder. Or if I was working as hard as I can this is justification that there is a solution.” So there’s that element. And obviously my backstory with family and Tourette syndrome and all those things. I think anytime that I can continue to be a voice for the voiceless with parents and families with TS that would ultimately be my mission.

Perseverance and hard work is the solution to any difficulty

BRIAN: Broadcasting. You’ve already kind of dipped your toe in the water on that. Are we going to see you broadcasting more when your career is wrapped up on the playing field?

TIM: Yeah, yeah. I think that — I enjoy being in front of the camera. Broadcasting is something that I love to do. There’s absolutely no substitute for putting on your boots, your gloves and going out there under the lights. So I never kid you on if that was the case. For me, the next best thing is to be in or around sports. Whether it’s helping to build a team or dissecting a game from an analytical standpoint on television. I love it! And I work with great people. I love the fact that I’m with Turner and BR doing Champions League. It is something I thoroughly enjoy. You get to my age, you play two decades plus, you master something and now it’s time to master something else. It doesn’t mean you’re good at it from the door but that learning process and that learning curve is something I enjoy.

BRIAN: Have you allowed yourself to think about the last time you step unto the pitch and you walk off for the last time? Or is that something you’re not going to think about until it happens?

TIM: [chuckles] I thought about it but I think it’s foolish to try to understand what those emotions would be like and I won’t be able to. But I also think what’s mainly successful is my single-mindedness. My ability to focus on the task at hand, right? Like if I ever got too far ahead of myself you and I wouldn’t be here talking. So, I know the date. I know the game and the team. And I hope it’s a victory. But ultimately it will have to arrive and I will deal with that when it comes.

BRIAN: Tim Howard you can find him on Twitter @TimHowardGK and/or on Instagram @TimHow1. Tim, I gotta tell you I have such immense respect for you as a person and as an athlete. And I wish you nothing but continued success. I know you’re going to be just as good post-career with ownership, broadcasting, and everything else you’re going to put your mind to as you have been thus far. So, congrats on a great career and if there’s ever anything we can do from our end please let us know.

TIM: I appreciate you saying that and I look forward to catching up with you again soon.

BRIAN: Thanks, Tim.

TIM: All the best. Take care.