Tim Howard planning to return ‘soon’ from USMNT sabbatical
U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Tim Howard says he plans on ending his sabbatical from international play and returning to the team soon.
In an interview with Everton TV, Howard said he has already discussed his return with USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The Everton goalkeeper could potentially rejoin the team before a friendly against Peru on Sept. 4 at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
“That is the plan [to return soon],” Howard said. “I spoke to coach Klinsmann and we have had open lines of communication as recently as last week. We spoke but obviously they are very busy with the Gold Cup at the moment.”
The latest interview echos comments made about his timeline for a return from last month.
Without Howard, the U.S. has turned to Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan. The team will play in the Gold Cup semifinal on Wednesday against Jamaica after defeating Cuba in the quarterfinal.
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Howard, 36, has not competed for the U.S. men's team since the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where the team reached the round of 16 for the second consecutive World Cup with Howard as the starting goalkeeper.
In the team's 2-1, round-of-16 loss to Belgium, Howard set a new World Cup record with 15 saves. Howard earned his first cap in 2002 and went unused at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
• WAHL: Q&A: Tim Howard on his USMNT future, Everton's struggles, more
Howard has said he has no plans of retiring soon and that he hopes to represent the United States at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He will be 39 at the start of the tournament.
- Christopher Chavez
