Denver, Colo. – This past weekend, Premier League Mornings Live made its long awaited visit to Denver. NBC took over Union Station in downtown Denver. It was an amazing weekend of morning games and festivities. With the studio talent in town, Burgundy Wave was lucky enough to catch up with former USMNT, Everton, and Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard. Here’s our interview backstage on 17th Street, covering a wide range of topics.
What have been your first impressions of Lucas Herrington and Hull City since the end of his World Cup?
Really good. Hull City have an interesting structure, right? They sit behind the ball, and it’s a lot of hard work. It’s its low possession base, but I think that’s not the important part. The important part is that he (Herrington) finds his feet (post World Cup), settles in. It’s a big thing for a young player to go over. So yeah, I think he’s done well.
Have you had time to see Rapids Goalkeeper Coach Chris Sharpe and the godson Jackson?
Of course I have. Yes, had dinner with them. Of course, always good to see Sharpie and my little guy Jackson. It’s fun spending time with them back in Denver. This is truly feels like home, and it’s because of Sharpie, and it’s because of the Rapids organization that I love.
It was dinner on Friday. We both got busy weekends (Rapids played at home Saturday), so yeah, we got dinner on Friday.
What do you think of first year Colorado Rapids Head Coach Matt Wells?
Done very well. He’s really structured. Has really good footballing ideas. It’s hard. It’s hard to get those across to a team as quickly as he has, and so you know they’re in a good position to make the playoffs. And I think obviously under his tutelage, things are started to shape out. You can see the team begin to take the mold of their manager, and that’s what you want from a good team.
There’s a cliche that goalkeepers make good coaches because they have a they have a different perspective than field players. Do goalkeepers having that perspective, does that make you a better commentator?
Ha! As you said, it gives you a different perspective. How you use that makes you good or bad. Working with NBC has been phenomenal for my development and the way in which they teach me, support me. I think my experience and all the things that I’ve seen from the goalkeeping position, I have a wealth of knowledge. NBC over the last decade has helped me put that together.
Do you feel like you’re in a flow state now as a commentator and pundit doing it full-time?
Absolutely. I get to hang out with my guy Landon (Donovan) every week and do the podcast (Unfiltered Soccer). I’m in a lot of media spaces, so I definitely feel like I’m in that flow state. It’s who I’ve become. I played football at one time, and that’s in the past. And I love what I do. I love being a commentator. I love being a media presence, and hopefully that will continue for a long time.
What’s one thing you miss about Goodison Park? What’s one think you like about the new Hill Dickinson?
A thing I’ll miss: The soul of Goodison Park. Goodison Park had a soul that that not many stadiums have. But the Hill Dickinson, having been there, it’s what Everton needed to evolve and get bigger and better. It takes time to make it a home, but I love the fact that it’s on the water. It’s our own. It’s our own place in our own part of town.
Where does Everton finish in the table?
Possibly European places.
Coming back to Denver, what did you do in your free time as a Rapids player?
Yeah, a lot of free time. That’s the myth about about footballers. That’s all we do is we play football and we relax.
I lived downtown and I enjoyed walking around, getting tattoos, having coffee. That’s all. I just chilled out and took care of myself and rested.
What was your tattoo place?
Tattoo Dumond, Sandy Galistro. She’s one of the best.
What do you think of Denver’s football culture coming back here?
Yeah, Denver football culture is incredible. Obviously, I know how passionate the Rapids fans are. They always show up for U.S. Men’s U.S. Women’s National Teams. Of course the Summit and are crushing as well. The Premier League is also alive and well in Denver.
Have you gotten a penalties rematch with your daughter and her teammates?
No, because she actually transferred to Syracuse. They haven’t gave me a challenge yet. If they do, I’ll have to accept it, but unwillingly.
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