It's hard to find a Metro, current or former, who is as revered by our fan base as Tim Howard. Now with Everton, he is earning clean sheets game after game in the Premier League, as well as being the unquestionable #1 for the United States. When his career winds down, he might go into the annals as the most accomplished American player ever. And it all started with Metro; except we didn't realize what was possible for Timmy until one summer afternoon in 2000 in a cavernous, empty Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Last Saturday, February 2nd, marked the ten-year anniversary of Howard signing with the MetroStars. A year out of high school, he spent 1997 with the minor league North Jersey Imperials. Back then, there was some buzz that the lanky 18-year-old kid playing in the USISL could be the next great US goalie. Little did we know that that buzz will turn out to be true.

But with Tony Meola entrenched in the Metro net, Timmy got into only one game in 1998, a 4:1 win over Colorado. A year later, Meola was sent to Kansas City, but Howard did not get the reigns yet: Metro received Mike Ammann in return. Nevertheless, Timmy got into nine games in 1999, and posted a horrible 1-7 record for the worst team in league history. No, he wasn't as bad as the record, which should be attributed to the despicable defense in front of him. Still, 1-7 is 1-7.

Ammann kept the starting job in 2000, but an injury in late June sidelined the veteran. Howard stepped in, and recorded his first shutout, in a 0:0 tie with San Jose. A 2:0 win over Tampa and a 2:1 triumph over Dallas followed. Metro was riding high.

But a team that was riding even higher was the West-leading Kansas City Wizards. Backstopped by Meola, the Wiz's defense was an impregnable wall, especially at home; they haven't allowed a goal at Arrowhead since the season opener over three months ago. Looking ahead, they would ride Meola and that defense to the MLS Cup. But we didn't know that back then. It was a matchup of first-place teams, a chance to prove that Metro can match with the league's best. A chance for Timmy to shine.

And shine he did. It seemed that the Wizards through everything they could at Metro and Howard, but nothing could get through. The final tally said 19 shots, eight of them on goal for the Wiz, but memory and time make it seem that those number should be doubled. Preki, at the height of his powers, was powerless against the Metro youngster. Mo Johnston, years before he would tear Metro apart from his coach's seat, could do nothing to tear them up on that night. And with three minutes left, with the game still scoreless, a counterattack led to Clint Mathis sliding the ball past Meola, giving Metro the victory, and solidifying their place among the league's elite.

But this is not about Mathis; this is about Howard. For on July 8th, 2000, we realized we had something special. And, sadly, we realized that it will be difficult to hang on to that something special. Tim Howard was too good for MLS.

Ammann was traded the following offseason, Timmy took over as Metro's starter, and was the best goalie in the league for the next two and a half seasons, winning one Goalkeeper of the Year award and being named to the league Best XI twice. When Manchester United came calling in 2003, who was Metro to refuse?

He is now a star in England, and the US's hope on the international scene. And every time we see Howard make a spectacular save, we feel proud of his beginnings. Tim Howard, always a Metro. We realized that for the first time on July 8th, 2000.