Former Man Utd & Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard announces his retirement

U.S. Soccer's Secretary of Defense is calling it a career. Eventually.

Current Colorado Rapids goalkeeper and longtime US men's national team star Tim Howard revealed on Monday that the 2019 MLS season will be his final professional campaign, bringing an end to a career that also began in MLS more than two decades ago.

In between two MLS stints, Howard went on to have a successful European career with Manchester United and Everton, and spent two World Cup cycles as the USA's de facto No. 1.

He is the nation's leader in international appearances (104) and victories (55). He also holds the record for most saves in a FIFA World Cup match with his 15 stops in the USA's 2-1 defeat to Belgium in extra-time in the second round in 2014.

This will be Howard's fourth season with Colorado since his MLS return in 2006, and his 10th overall in MLS. He played parts of six campaigns with the then-New York/New Jersey MetroStars before departing for Europe in 2003.

For fans wishing to send Howard off, the Rapids will visit every Western Conference foe once this season, as well as Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia, the New York Red Bulls and Toronto. Provided he continues as Colorado's starter and is healthy, Howard's last regular season match will come on Decision Day presented by AT&T against his former national team coach Bob Bradley at LAFC on Oct. 6.