Tim Howard has returned to the US international soccer squad knowing he would be playing behind Brad Guzan at least through the middle of next month.
Just do not call the 2014 FIFA World Cup standout a “backup.”
After coach Jurgen Klinsmann on Wednesday said Guzan would remain his starting goalkeeper — barring injury — through a critical playoff match against Mexico, Howard refuted the suggestion he would view himself differently.
“Never been a backup,” Howard said. “I think that’s a mentality. I work my tail off every day. I know what it means to compete at the highest level, to have a certain level of excellence, and I do that. I’ve never been a backup, I never will be.”
The 36-year-old has started for the US at the past two FIFA World Cups. He announced his year-long hiatus from international soccer following last year’s tournament.
The 30-year-old Guzan moved into the starting spot during a stretch that has included surprising international friendly wins over Germany and the Netherlands, as well as a 2-1 loss to Jamaica in July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals.
Mexico won that tournament, forcing an Oct. 10 meeting with the US for the right to represent the CONCACAF region at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Klinsmann cited those high stakes as a reason not to introduce a goalkeeping battle and said he discussed it with Howard beforehand.
“Tim accepted that,” Klinsmann said. “Now, it’s really about getting some consistency with the players and getting a job done in October.”
Friendly internationals against Peru today and Brazil on Tuesday represent final tuneups before the playoff.
Klinsmann did say he might consider “splitting time” between the duo after next month’s match.
Klinsmann left former captain and midfielder Landon Donovan off the World Cup squad last year after Donovan took four months away from club and country from December 2012 to March 2013.
Donovan cited a loss of love for the sport when he took the break. He retired at the end of last year.
Howard said his sabbatical was more practical, rooted in a need to spend more time with his family and focus on continuing as the regular starter for Everton in the English Premier League.
“I never lost that passion,” Howard said of international soccer. “I’ve been excited about this team. I’ve missed it. I took a year out for my own reasons, for the right reasons, and one of those reasons wasn’t because I’ve lost any passion.”
Klinsmann said Howard’s experience would be a valuable component in the buildup to next month’s playoff, even if it comes from the sidelines.
“His experience, and who he is and what he’s done, he immediately will balance things out,” Klinsmann said. “He will calm people down. He will kind of look around and give you his two thoughts on things, which is great.”
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