Team USA soccer star Tim Howard branded a 'hypocrite' after he 'begged his ex-girlfriend to have an abortion because he couldn't afford another child'

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Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard begged his ex-girlfriend to have an abortion when she became pregnant with his baby and suggested he could not afford another child, it has been claimed.

The father-of-two, 36, met the woman at Everton's end of season party in 2014 - just weeks prior to his heroics for USA at the World Cup in Brazil.

The woman has now branded the footballer a 'hypocrite' for suggesting she have an abortion despite his strong Christian values, The Sun on Sunday reported.

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard's ex girlfriend claims he begged her to have an abortion after she became pregnant late last year

The 36-year-old received plaudits for saving 15 shots during his country's game against Belgium in last year's World Cup - setting a new world record (pictured)

It was in November 2014 when the 32-year-old woman, who has not been identified, learned she was pregnant. But when she told him, she claimed his response was: 'F*** that'.

Text messages exchanged between the pair allege he told her to have an abortion for reasons that included him not seeing the child, his current children living a separate life, and finances.

When she mentioned her feelings regarding the termination and religion, he said he was a 'faithful Christian' but everyone goes against God's will.

Howard is the number one goalkeeper for his club and country and earns an estimated £3.3million a year.

She was two-and-a-half months pregnant when she carried out the procedure on New Year's Eve - a week after she had an anxiety attack at the clinic during her first attempt.

MailOnline has requested comment from Howard's representative.

In a statement, he told The Sun on Sunday: 'This is a private matter and it is unfortunate that, for whatever reason, the person concerned has chosen to take her version of events public.

In his autobiography, Howard detailed how he rose to the top of his profession despite being diagnosed with tourette's syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder

'I have no interest in discussing it further.'

New Jersey-born Howard has a young son and daughter, who both live with their mother, his ex-wife Laura Liebenrood in Tennessee.

Howard has previously spoken about his strong Christian values and desire to work hard before he turns 40 in order to be able to spend more time with his children.

He once told Campus Crusade for Christ: 'The most important thing in my life is Christ. He's more important to me than winning or losing or whether I'm playing or not. Everything else is just a bonus.'

In his autobiography released last year, he detailed how he rose to the top of his profession despite being diagnosed with tourette's syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Last year he received plaudits for pulling off arguably one of the greatest ever goalkeeping performances at a football World Cup.

Facing Belgium in the last 16, he stopped 15 strikes on goal - setting a new world record.

Howard began his career at Manchester United in promising fashion after joining from Major League Soccer for around £3million in 2003, making a decisive penalty save to help United win the Community Shield against Arsenal.

But the honeymoon period didn't last long. In the latter half of his first season in England, Howard fumbled a Benni McCarthy free-kick during a Champions League last 16 tie against Porto and allowed the opposition to fire home the rebound.

The American continued his unconvincing performances during 2004-05, dropping in and out of the side and when Edwin van der Sar arrived the following summer, Howard's brief stint in Manchester was effectively over.

Fortunately, he had impressed David Moyes enough for the then Everton manager to sign him on loan for the 2006-07 season.

The faith shown in him by Moyes helped reinvigorate Howard's career on English soil and he has remained at the club since coach Roberto Martinez took over.