Tim Howard has returned to the USA roster for the first time since taking a break from international football following last year’s World Cup.
Jurgen Klinsmann named the Everton goalkeeper in an experienced squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Peru and Brazil. Howard is considered USA’s second-choice keeper behind Brad Guzan but was in excellent form for Everton against Tottenham on Saturday.
Howard is not the only player making a return: Matt Besler and Jermaine Jones are in line to make their first appearances since February. USA play Peru on 4 September in Washington DC and Brazil in Foxborough four days later. Two key players – Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey – will miss the Peru match before returning to face Brazil.
“The bigger picture is to get some answers for how we put things together for the Mexico game a month from now,” said Klinsmann. “Obviously we want to continue to have a good flow of guys from the Gold Cup, but also to bring back guys who are in position to compete for a spot on the roster for 10 October. Our message to these guys is simple: prove a point that you want to be at the Rose Bowl.”
USA squad to face Peru and Brazil
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)
Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham)
Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
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