CARDIFF, Wales -- Tim Howard saved two spot kicks as Manchester United beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to win the Community Shield on Sunday.
The score was tied 1-1 after regular time, sending English soccer's traditional season curtain raiser into penalties.
After Howard and new Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann saved spot kicks, the American made the decisive save from Arsenal star midfielder Robert Pires, giving the Reds their first title since David Beckham's departure.
Howard stood with arms outstretched in joy as his teammates hugged him.
It was Howard's first competitive appearance for United after starring for them on their preseason U.S tour. He joined United last month from the MetroStars of Major League Soccer. Last season's No.1 goalkeeper Fabien Barthez didn't make the bench.
"I couldn't fault him today," Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said of Howard. "He enjoyed the penalty kicks. He shows no fear which is terrific to see ... We're very pleased with him."
Arsenal played 22 minutes with 10 men after substitute striker Francis Jeffers was sent off for kicking out at United defender Phil Neville.
"It was a good workout and I'm quite happy and confident for the future," Manager Arsene Wenger said. "We were solid and, as long as we had the legs, we were quite strong."
The heat at the Millennium Stadium, where pitchside temperatures hitting 105 degrees, prompted a raft of substitutions.
Mikael Silvestre gave Manchester United the lead in the 15th minute. The French defender headed down a Ryan Giggs corner which had been flicked on at the near post by United captain Roy Keane. Lehmann was left stranded.
Arsenal leveled four minutes later, through a Henry freekick earned after Nicky Butt fouled Patrick Vieira. Henry's 30 yard shot curved inside the right hand post past Howard.
Players and 50,000 fans observed a minute of silence before the match for United striker Jimmy Davis, who was killed in a car crash, and former Blackburn manager Ray Harford who lost his fight against cancer at age 58. Both died Saturday.
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