Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard is one of the most decorated athletes in U.S. men’s soccer history. He has the most international appearances (121) for a U.S. goalie, started every game in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and set a record of 16 saves against Belgium in the ’14 Cup.
As the 39-year-old’s career begins to wind down, Howard spoke with Sports Spectrum about his disappointment in the U.S. not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup and how he finds joy through his faith in Christ.
Manchester City's Jeremy Doku chases after the ball against Liverpool on Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The buildup to Sunday’s showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool centered around the 1,000th game of Pep Guardiola’s legendary managerial career coming against City’s greatest rival during his time at the club. The teams have combined to win the last eight Premier League titles, finishing in the top two spots on three occasions.
By the time the final whistle blew to make City’s 3-0 victory official, however, Guardiola was no longer the story. His left winger, Jeremy Doku, was.
In the first half, the 23-year-old Belgian international drew a penalty kick (though it was missed by teammate Erling Haaland) and led all players in just about every attacking statistic outside of goal contributions.
It was one of the most impressive individual Premier League performances in recent memory, and Doku did it while being subbed off in the 74th minute. He became the first player to score, win 10 duels, complete seven dribbles, create three chances and put three shots on target since fellow countryman Eden Hazard did so for Chelsea in 2019.
Now in his third season at City after joining from French club Stade Rennais, Doku is playing some of the best soccer of his career. He has three goals and four assists in 16 appearances across all competitions so far this season. Six of his seven goal contributions have come in the Champions League or Premier League.
Asked by NBC Sports on Sunday whether he felt like he’d taken his game to another level, Doku attributed his excellent form to a deeper relationship with God and the role faith plays in his life.
“What changed for me this season, I have God in my life,” he said. “That’s what changed, and that’s what you can see. On the pitch, I have His presence with me. That’s the difference. I’m just happy that now I can just deliver the way I want to play without any fear or doubt or anything.”
To celebrate the goal, Doku pointed to himself, wagged his finger and pointed to the sky. He wanted everyone to know that it was about the Lord, not him. It’s been a busy past two months for Doku off the field too, as he has gotten married and baptized.
His baptism followed a two-assist performance in a victory over crosstown rival Manchester United on Sept. 14.
“As a Christian, when you get baptized, your old nature, your old sinful nature dies, and you start living with God,” he told the BBC while discussing his baptism. “You resurrect with God, with Jesus Christ. You can do that as a kid but normally it’s meant for when you’re older and you really realize what you’re doing.
“… It’s the center of my life. There’s nothing more important to me than faith.”
Doku also recently began releasing a documentary series on YouTube that gives fans an inside look into his life off the field. He explained in a clip promoting the documentary that his main reason for doing it is to share the Gospel. He wants his testimony to inspire others.
“I don’t care about the money the YouTube is going to make, how many viewers, I don’t care,” he said. “But if I can open someone’s eyes or heart, open someone’s mind, to see what I saw, and to go deeper in his Christianity, I’m happy, you know? Even if it’s one person.”
Faith is a focus in many of the shows. In Episode 4, “Back to Ghana After 17 years,” Doku references Matthew 25:40 when talking about his desire to serve others.
“I just want to be a giver as well and help people in need,” he said. “That’s what God says: ‘If you give to the least, you give it to Him.’ Doing everything I’m going to do here, that’s the most important part for me: the charity and helping the people in need because that’s what I can give back with the talent that God gave me.”
Doku was included in Belgium’s 26-man squad for its upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan (Nov. 15) and Liechtenstein (Nov. 18). The Red Devils are currently atop their qualification group and on track to reach the World Cup in the U.S. this coming summer.
City return to action following the international break on Nov. 22 when they visit Newcastle United.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING KENT JOHNSON & OWEN POWER
Owen Power is a defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres. He was selected first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, and made his NHL debut on April 12, 2022, against Toronto.
Kent Johnson is a center for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was selected fifth overall in the same 2021 NHL Draft, and made his NHL debut April 13, 2022, against Montreal.
Power and Johnson were teammates in college at the University of Michigan.
Today on the podcast, Owen Power and Kent Johnson talk about their time together in college, being top-five picks in the same draft, growing in their faith in Jesus, and how they want to live out their faith through the platform of hockey.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING ROBERTANTHONY CRUZ (COACH RAC)
RobertAnthony Cruz, better known as Coach RAC, is a baseball player with the Savannah Bananas. He played college baseball at Biola University (La Mirada, California) and signed with the Washington Nationals organization, where he played one season of rookie ball.
Following his release from the Nationals organization, he began making coaching videos on TikTok. He became known as “Coach RAC” and built a huge following, now at more than 1.2 million. A few years later, RAC began his career with the Savannah Bananas.
Today on the podcast, Matt Forte interviews Coach RAC about his journey to the Savannah Bananas and the sudden fame he’s received. They also discuss Jesus, success, handling criticism, and Coach RAC’s mission to impact youth sports positively.
THIS IS THE GET IN THE GAME PODCAST
WITH SCOTT LINEBRINK
Our guest today is Graham Daniels, a former pro soccer player and coach who’s now the general director at Christians in Sport in the United Kingdom.
Host Scott Linebrink talks with Graham about the intersection of faith and sports, as Graham shares his personal journey to faith, the importance of sharing the Gospel within the sports community, and the unique cultural influence of sports as a platform for evangelism. They discuss the challenges athletes face regarding identity, the role of grace, and how gratitude can lead to a life of service.
Graham Daniels just wrapped up recording Spiritual Game Plan in Cambridge, UK! 🎤 Can’t wait to finish the audiobook! This book shows how to link your faith with your love for sports in a liberating, deeper way—beyond guilt or just evangelism. Stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/23wkm1W5ST
