Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard is expected to make his first start since suffering a serious groin injury in November, according to a league source.
Howard this week passed the 16-week mark since undergoing surgery to repair his fractured adductor longus, which he suffered in the United States’ World Cup qualifying match against Mexico.
The Rapids’ 38-year-old goalkeeper, originally from North Brunswick, N.J., started his MLS career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in 1998 before leaving for Manchester United in 2003. The MetroStars became the New York Red Bulls in 2006.
Howard said this week he felt good and was “close” to a return and did not rule out the possibility of suiting up. His return sets up a reunion of sorts in front of the fan base that saw him break into MLS.
“It’s always nice,” Howard said this week of playing at Red Bull Arena. “I played there with the national team. It’s nice to kind of walk in there, it’s a tough crowd. It’s good for the national team games, but they seem to have a very tough crowd. So, we’ll have it all to do, that’s for sure.”
The Rapids kick off against the Red Bulls at 2 p.m. on UniMas.
