Howard returns to USA squad for friendlies
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Veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard, who took a break from international duty over the past 12 months, is in the squad named by USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann for upcoming friendlies against Peru and Brazil. The matches are the final preparation games before the decisive 10 October play-off against Mexico at the Rose Bowl for a place in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Howard, Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler have all been away from Klinsmann's squad for extended periods, but all three were among the 23-strong squad featuring a wealth of experience. Only one player, forward Andrew Wooten, lacks multiple national team appearances.
"The bigger picture is to get some answers for how we put things together for the Mexico game a month from now," Klinsmann said. "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 October 10. Our message to these guys is simple: prove a point that you want to be at the Rose Bowl."
The United States face Peru, who finished third in the Copa America this year, on 4 September at RFK Stadium in Washington. Four days later they host Brazil at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
USA Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton/ENG), William Yarbrough (Club Leon/MEX)
Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America/MEX), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG), Greg Garza (Atlas/MEX), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/MEX), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG)
Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/FRA), Joe Corona (Veracruz/MEX), Mix Diskerud (New York City), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt/GER), Danny Williams (Reading/ENG), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)
Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen/GER), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin/GER), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen/GER), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)