Howard returns to USA squad

The ESPN FC crew discuss Tim Howard’s continuing role for the United States national team. And a deep collection of midfield and defensive talent has gathered in the nation’s capital to battle for starting spots at the heart of the US national team’s starting lineup this week ahead of Friday’s friendly vs. Peru at RFK Stadium (7 pm ET; FOX Sports 1).

After a year-long sabbatical from worldwide duty following the 2014 World Cup, Tim Howard has been named to the USMNT’s 23-man roster for their upcoming friendlies against Peru and Brazil.

U.S. soccer might not be as cutthroat as it is in England, but there was plenty of criticism and disappointment following last month’s Gold Cup semifinal loss to Jamaica. “This is about proving a point”. Yet there was Tim Howard, renowned for his 104 caps, an FA Cup triumph and those 15 saves in Salvador, Brazil, holding a full plastic bag in his left hand and helping Wooten lug a blue cooler with his right.

Jones, who last appeared for the National Team in February, has three goals and four assists in 50 appearances for the US since making his debut in 2010. We want to see competition, and then we’re going to make some calls. Mexico won the tournament, setting up a meeting with U.S. on October. 10 to determine who goes to the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russian Federation.

It’s a shift back to Jones’ natural position that was expected to take place during a pair of friendlies in June before a groin injury ruled him out for two months. Fabian Johnson remains sidelined by an undisclosed ailment. In Chandler’s first ever start for Eintracht Frankfurt, he went down awkwardly after contesting a 50/50 ball. Current Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey will not be joining until after the September 5th game against Toronto FC. MLS contest.

“(Tim) and I get on really well, in terms of on the field and off the field”, said Guzan, who like Howard plays in the English Premier League.

Altidore was benched by Toronto boss Greg Vanney last weekend, before scoring twice after entering a second-half substitute in a 5-0 win over Orlando.

It’s official- the Secretary of Defense is returning to his post. But given his experience, it’s not surprising to see Altidore included.

“The situation with our forwards is wide open”, Klinsmann said, noting that Gold Cup Golden Boot victor Dempsey, 32, is coming in off a hamstring injury.

“Some positions are definitely there to grab, but you’ve got to grab them with a lot of determination and a lot of ambition”, he added.