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Tim Howard earns clean sheet in Colorado Rapids debut

Tim Howard returns to MLS for the first time since leaving the league in 2003.

Tim Howard is back in MLS, making his debut for the Colorado Rapids Monday night to mark his official return after spending more than a decade abroad in the Premier League.

Howard did his part in what ended as a scoreless draw for the Rapids against the Portland Timbers, making two saves for Colorado.

Howard, now 37, left MLS and the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) in 2003 for Manchester United. He then embarked on 10 years with Everton, where he became etched in the club's fabric. After an emotional farewell to the club, in which he earned a clean sheet in his final start at Goodison Park, he joined the U.S. for Copa America Centenario, where he backed up Brad Guzan save for the third-place match against Colombia.

He's the highest-paid goalkeeper in MLS by far, making $2,575,000 in guaranteed compensation, according to the most recent MLS Players Union documents, and he'll be looked upon to maintain his high standard of play for the Rapids, who sat atop the MLS Western Conference standings with 32 points through 16 games entering Monday.

Here are highlights from Howard's return:

His next match comes Saturday night at the Vancouver Whitecaps.