Both Tim Howard and Brad Guzan have experienced recent rough patches on the club level. However, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann insists that the duo will remain his go-to goalkeepers going forward.
Howard was recently relegated to the role of backup goalkeeper by Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who has opted to go with Joel Robles for the time being. Meanwhile, Guzan has also been replaced as starter at Aston Villa, which currently sits last in the English Premier League.
Guzan most recently played a league game for Villa on Jan. 2, while Howard has not appeared for Everton since Jan. 24. Even with their recent issues, Howard or Guzan will start in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala.
“Obviously, you want to see them all play,” Klinsmann said after Sunday night’s Copa America draw,”but with both of them, they have tremendous experience. They know how to deal with these kind of situations. They’re going to come in for the Guatemala game sharp and highly motivated. They want to do well, so I’m not that concerned.”
The U.S. is set to visit Guatemala on March 25 before hosting Los Chapines four days later at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus.
What do you think of Klinsmann’s backing of Howard and Guzan? Who do you expect to start in March’s qualifiers? Are any other goalkeepers more deserving of the starting spot?
Share your thoughts below.
Luis Robles without a doubt should be the U.S.’s no.1 Goalkeeper.
Luis Robles for sure should be the No.1 Goalkeeper for the U.S. He’s not perfect but he’s the currently the best domestic goalkeeper the US has.
William yarbough… Too lazy to spell check
Let’s just call him Billbough Onionbaggins.
Don’t think it matters when we play in the US, but I would start Guzan in Guatemala and here’s why. Guatemala’s only chance to get points, most likely, is to maybe get a draw at home. They will play dirty and hope for retaliation which will lead to fouls and free kicks. And Carlos Ruiz is sure to do more dives than Greg Louganis.; Ruiz is very good at that so he may be able to trick the ref into a penalty kick. Guzan is excellent at stopping penalty kicks, probably better than Howard. In fact, maybe we should take Rimando along since JK thinks he’s the best PK stopper he has ever seen.
I think yarbrough should get another look he has looked good for Leon in liga mx this season
Admittedly, I’m biased as a RBNY supporter but I think Robles can be a bridge between Howard/Guzan and the next long-term keeper for the USMNT, whether it’s Hamid, Horvath, Steffen or someone else.
Agreed.
That said,…I think Guzan should get his time in the sun as the No 1 for the U.S. I’ve said this before,…but to say he lost his job at Villa is almost laughable. Their squad is very weak and the moral at the club must be at rock bottom. How many pummelings does it take before a GK loses his confidence bs any confidence he might have in his defenders.
I have to disagree. I have followed Robles since he signed with Kaiserslautern about 10 years ago. While he is pretty good, I believe Hamid is better (too bad he is hurt), and about 8 years younger. I am pretty Guzan and Robles are the same age. I think the transition to Hamid/Yarbrough should be made now behind Guzan. Robles should only be there as a 3rd goalie backup.
Then again, we are all entitled to our opinions.
Robles wasn’t the best while he played in Germany, but over the last couple of years in MLS, I don’t think there has been a better U.S. Goalkeeper. Howard has lost his starting job for a reason and Guzan has demonstrated too many times how you can’t rely on him. Robles deserves this shot. He has almost been flawless over the past couple of years
@juancarlossoccer
“Howard has lost his starting job for a reason and Guzan has demonstrated too many times how you can’t rely on him.”
these guys were also up against some of the best players in the world.
yes, robles has been good–and, fwiw, i’d feel comfortable starting him against guatemala–but i think you have to take difficulty of competition into consideration.
@juancarlossoccer
I think you’re also being a little harsh about Guzan. Nevermind this season, Guzan has been the sole reason Aston Villa hasn’t been relegated for the last 2-3 seasons. Its finally catching up to them, now that they don’t have the goal scoring exploits of Benteke.
When Howard was out injured during a crucial time of last cycles Hex, it was Guzan who showed us how blessed we are with keepers, including that snow depacle against Costa Rica, and the crucial tie at the Azteca.
I don’t think it matters who starts the first game because I assume they’ll likely split the starts between the two games.
Who performs better is the real question to have after the two matches take place.
i think the fact that they’ve both lost their starting jobs means the let’s play nice and give them both a chance mantra is out the door. You pick who you are most comfortable with/ looks best in practice, and provided they don’t blow it stick with them for game 2. the consistency for the defense, and confidence of knowing that you aren’t going to get pulled after 1 game can go a long way.