The FA Community Shield is one of the most prestigious curtain-raisers in English football, played annually between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners. While many football legends have lifted the trophy at Wembley, only a select few American players have achieved this honor.
If you’ve ever wondered how many Americans have won the FA Community Shield, the answer is just two—but both have made their mark on the competition.
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Tim Howard – FA Community Shield Winner in 2003
The first American to lift the FA Community Shield was Tim Howard, one of the most celebrated U.S. goalkeepers in history.
In 2003, shortly after joining Manchester United, Howard made an immediate impact. He started in the Community Shield against Arsenal, which ended 1–1 in regulation time. In the penalty shootout, Howard’s crucial save from Robert Pires secured a 4–3 victory for United. It was a dream debut for the American shot-stopper and a historic moment for U.S. soccer.
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Matt Turner – FA Community Shield Winner in 2023
Two decades later, another American goalkeeper joined this elite list—Matt Turner.
Turner was part of the Arsenal squad that defeated Manchester City in the 2023 FA Community Shield. The game ended 1–1 before Arsenal triumphed 4–1 on penalties. While Turner didn’t start the match, he was part of the winning team that celebrated with the trophy at Wembley, cementing his place in U.S. soccer history.
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Close Calls Without Victory
Not every American in the FA Community Shield has been so lucky. Zack Steffen, then with Manchester City, started the 2021 match but suffered a 1–0 defeat to Leicester City.
Still, his appearance highlighted the growing influence of American talent in English football.
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Full List of American FA Community Shield Winners
As of August 2025, the complete list of Americans who have lifted the FA Community Shield is:
- Tim Howard – Manchester United (2003)
- Matt Turner – Arsenal (2023)
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The Future of Americans in the FA Community Shield
With more U.S. soccer players joining Premier League clubs each season, it’s only a matter of time before another American earns the right to lift the FA Community Shield. As the Premier League’s global reach continues to grow, so does the influence of American talent on one of football’s biggest stages.
