Last night was Tim Howard’s long-anticipated debut for the Colorado Rapids, and while most of the match produced little to no offense, Howard had his moments in goal that showed everyone why the Rapids brought him in.

“You always want to find that rhythm early,” Howard said, “but it’s good to get a clean sheet and play your part in making that clean sheet happen. So I think it was a good start.”

Howard wasted no time assuming his role as the leader of the defense. Portland did not record a shot until the 18th minute, but Howard spent the previous 17 commanding his back line and directing traffic like he’s done for Manchester United, Everton and the United States men’s national team.

His first test — if you’d like to call it that — was a long-range volley from the Timbers that landed right in Howard’s bread basket. Howard maintained focus and made the play despite penalty area full of green that could’ve easily deflected the volley in.

Howard lit up in the 43rd minute when Fenando Adi hit a ball off the left post, enciting a classic Howard-esque rage at his back line. He had arrived.

Perhaps the moment Howard really arrived, though, was in the 54th minute, when Timbers forward Lucas Melano played a short ball to Damion Mattocks just outside the penalty area. Mekeil Williams did a good job keeping alonngside Mattocks, but Howard was there for the diving save to his left.

Howard’s alertness was razor sharp for the rest of the match. He stayed low, stayed vocal and made sure to push any rebounds out to where they wouldn’t become problematic.

Last night may not have been the most desireable result, but it’s clear that Howard doesn’t need any more warming up for his new club — he was thrown into the mix immediately, and when he was called upon to perform, he did not disappoint. Now that the first game is over, it’s on to continuing to get better and the further development of team chemistry.

“Ultimately in a few games,” Howard said after the match, “or in a month or so we will kind of know each other inside and out and we’ll keep pushing forward from there.”

Here are some highlights from his postgame press conference.