It’s been an unusual January for Rapids goalkeeper .
In a typical January over the past decade, Howard would find himself in the thick of a highly competitive English Premier League season. This year, he is coming off what he called a “quiet” offseason, working his way back from a season-ending injury suffered in November.
The highlights from his first vacation in 18 months are posted on his social media feeds — time spent with family on the beach, courtside seats at NBA games and a trip to Lambeau Field to see the Green Bay Packers take down his beloved New York Giants 38-13 in the NFL playoffs.
“That was a terrible game. Nothing to write home about,” Howard, 37, said last week. “Going to the beach and relaxing with my kids — thatap paradise for me.”
Howard would have been training with his U.S. national team colleagues this month. Instead, one of the greatest American goalkeepers of all time was rehabbing along the cramped sideline of the indoor football bubble on the University of Colorado campus as the Rapids opened training camp last week.
The injury is uncharted territory for Howard. It’s the most significant injury he has faced in his career. He suffered a against Mexico — just days after his biggest performance for the Rapids, when to send the Rapids to the Western Conference finals. They were eliminated in the conference finals by the eventual MLS Cup champion .
“It wasn’t too emotional,” Howard said of missing the conference finals. “I’m pretty level when it comes to those things. I’ve been blessed and fortunate. I’ve had injuries I’ve been able to play through. I’ve been lucky not to have any big injuries. So I take it on the chin. There’s never a good time for it, especially right where we were in the thick of it. For me it wasn’t great timing, but it never is. But it wasn’t something that got me too down.”
In his first season with the Rapids, Howard was 6-3-8 in 17 regular-season starts, posting a 1.12 goals-against average, a 0.74 save percentage and seven shutouts. He was a finalist for MLS goalkeeper of the year, despite playing only half a season.
and was on crutches for two weeks. He said the injury should sideline him for 16 weeks, which would mean a March 8 return to full training. He said his rehab has gone well, and he plans to re-evaluate as that date approaches. The against the .
Head coach said the Rapids’ strength coach, goalkeepers coach and trainers have been meeting regularly to plan the stages of Howard’s comeback. They have incorporated some ball handling and footwork so that when he’s ready to return, he won’t start from scratch.
“There’s a step-by-step process to achieve getting him back as soon as possible,” Mastroeni said. “When that is? Fairy dust. But there is a plan.”
Howard has his sights set on returning quickly and helping the Rapids advance further this year.
“If we do as well as we did last year, we’ll be second-best again, so we’ve got to improve,” he said. “It would be nice to kind of go one step further than we did last year in every category. Instead of finishing second in the Supporters’ Shield, finish first. Instead of losing in the Western Conference final, win it and get to a (league) final. So I think those are realistic. But everyone’s going to have those goals, you know?”
Getting back in business
Timeline for Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard, beginning with his last game in net:
Nov. 6, 2016: Makes key saves to send Rapids to Western Conference finals.
Nov. 11: Suffers groin injury in the United States’ World Cup qualifier against Mexico.
Nov. 17: Has surgery to repair a fractured right adductor longus of the groin.
Nov. 27: Rapids eliminated from Western Conference finals.
Early December: Begins rehab.
Jan. 23, 2017: Rapids open training camp.
March 4: Rapids’ season opener, against the New England Revolution.
March 8: Target date for Howard’s return to full training.
