Tim Howard Knows Winning Stinks

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Tim Howard has spent enough time around elite soccer to know the clean version fans see on TV is only part of the story. Behind every save, sprint, tackle, and late game celebration is the part most people never think about: the gear.

That is the angle behind Howard's new partnership with Lysol, which centers on match worn gear, postgame sweat, and the very real stink that comes with winning. Lysol's campaign includes a new YouTube Short called "Stink Behind The Win," along with a MatchWornShirt.com auction featuring signed and worn Howard gear, including gloves tied to his 2010 U.S. Men's National Team appearance in the World Cup.

For Howard, the campaign works because it is honest. Soccer is emotional, global, and polished on the surface, but anyone who has played knows what happens when the final whistle blows. Jerseys get soaked. Socks get buried in bags. Shin pads become their own issue.

When asked about the nastiest gear he dealt with, Howard did not hesitate. Shin pads were the clear answer. They sit tight, trap sweat, and usually get thrown into a bag before anyone thinks about cleaning them. His fix is simple: use Lysol spray on them, and get the jerseys into the wash as soon as possible.

That is where Lysol Laundry Sanitizer fits the story. The brand says the product kills 99.9 percent of odor causing bacteria when used as directed, giving players and parents a practical answer for the gear that takes the hardest beating.

Howard also connected the campaign to one of his favorite World Cup memories: Landon Donovan's 2010 goal against Algeria, a moment he still sees as one of the biggest in U.S. men's soccer history.

Now, as a broadcaster, podcaster, parent, and minority owner with Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash, Howard sees the sport from every angle.

The message is simple enough. Winning takes work. Work creates sweat. Sweat creates stink. And if soccer keeps growing in America, a lot more parents, players, and weekend athletes are going to need a better plan for what comes home in the bag.

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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 9:25 AM.