Tim Howard: MLS 'ain't a retirement league'

Soon-to-be Colorado Rapids 'keeper Tim Howard defended Major League Soccer on Monday against the ever-present suggestion that North America's foremost competition is akin to a Florida retirement home offering past-their-prime patrons a place to kick their feet up.

The American shot-stopper, 37, will return home this summer after spending 13 seasons in the Premier League, joining Colorado from Everton. Upon his return, Howard, who began his career with the MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls) in 1998, says he expects the quality of the on-field product to greatly outweigh what he left behind more than a decade ago.

"I think the quality of play has gotten better. The fan base has grown and is more knowledgeable," Howard said. "Some of the players that have gone back over, this ain't a retirement league. Now you have players going over like (Sebastian) Giovinco, he is incredible.

"Giovani Dos Santos, probably one of the top Mexican players of all time who is playing there in his prime. That's exciting, because for me, when I was a 21-year-old in MLS, that wasn't the case."

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Howard will get the opportunity to thwart the attacking exploits of Giovinco, Dos Santos, and other MLS stars when he officially joins Colorado's roster on July 4.