Tim Howard Named U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year: Latest Details, Reaction

Tim Howard was easily the best player on the United States' World Cup team in Brazil. Now he has the title to prove it.

On Thursday, the U.S. men's national soccer team goalie was named the 2014 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year, an honor that was little more than a formality.    

Howard was chosen over fellow finalists Jermaine Jones, Clint Dempsey, Fabian Johnson, Kyle Beckerman and Alejandro Bedoya, per an ESPN report. He previously won the award in 2008.

"It's pretty special to have my name up there with the greats," Howard said.

The 35-year-old star had a year to remember in 2014, emerging as the linchpin for the United States' World Cup run. He set a record with 16 saves in the national team's 2-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. It was a performance that will go down as one of the most memorable in U.S. soccer history. Howard was in net for all four U.S. games in Brazil and received eight caps overall this year.

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl believes the award went to the right person: 

Following the World Cup, Howard announced he was taking a one-year break from international soccer.

USA TODAY Sports

“Having played overseas for the last 12 years and missing out on spending time with my family, making this commitment to my family is very important at this time," Howard said in a statement. "I am grateful for the willingness of both [U.S. Coach] Jurgen Klinsmann and Everton Manager Roberto Martinez to afford me the opportunity to spend time with my kids. It’s the right decision at the right time."

Howard has been the United States' primary goalkeeper for the last seven years. He said he currently plans on playing in the next World Cup in 2018, when he'll be 39 years old. Longtime backup Brad Guzan has taken over in Howard's stead for the USMNT and in many ways has confirmed how badly the U.S. will need Howard during the next four years.

Howard is currently playing out his club season with Everton. The Toffees got off to a slow start but now sit 10th in the table through the first 11 matches.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.