82015_isi_beasley_howard_usmntpm070114171_(1) Perry McIntyre/isiphotos.com
U.S. Men's National Team

Howard, Beasley to Return to U.S. National Team

The U.S. Soccer Federation today announced that DaMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard will retun to the U.S. men's national team fold when the team gathers to play friendlies against Peru and Brazil.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
August 20, 2015
11:30 AM
WHEN THE U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM returns to action in September, it will have two of its most recognizable and accomplished players on its roster: DaMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard.
 
U.S. Soccer today announced the two players will be on the roster with the remainder of team to be announced on August 30.
 
Beasley, 33, is the only American player to have played in four World Cups and has 122 caps in his career. Last November he announced his retirement from international soccer but prior to this summer's Gold Cup, head coach Jurgen Klinsmann convinced the Houston Dynamo left winger to come out of retirement and rejoin the U.S. team.
 
After he was named to the team for the knockout stages, an injury in his first training session limited him to just a second-half cameo in the third place game against Panama, which the U.S. lost in a shootout. Following that game, it was unclear if Beasley would continue on with the team but after discussions with Klinsmann, Beasley decided to continue on with his involvement in international soccer.
 
The need for Beasley recently became more crucial with the injury to Fabian Johnson who tore a muscle in his calf while playing for Borussia Monchengladbach and will miss several weeks according to reports. With the U.S. team now in full preparation for a huge game against Mexico for a spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup, Beasley will add a veteran presence on the team.
 
“One of the most important follow-ups after the Gold Cup was definitely a conversation with DaMarcus Beasley,” Klinsmann said. “He made himself available for the Gold Cup and it didn’t work out the way we all wanted it with his injury after the first training session. So we had that conversation and I asked him to reconsider the national team and he was all fired up. He was all proud and happy and he said, ‘I’m there for the U.S. national team’.
 
Similarly, the U.S. will also welcome back Howard, who last played for the U.S. in 2014 following a 2-1 loss to Belgium at the World Cupin which he made 14 saves—many of them spectacular.
 
Howard, 36, has appeared for the national team in 102 games and was a starter for the last two World Cups. Following the 2014 World Cup he announced a one year sabbatical from the national team. During that time he has continued to perform well for Everton where he has played since 2007.
 
Over the past year, Brad Guzan has been first-choice keeper for the national team and Klinsmann insisted that Guzan is still the No. 1 but down the road there could be a competition for that role.
 
“He knew it was not going to be easy to come back because obviously Brad Guzan established himself as the No. 1 and played a very good tournament and the whole year he really did a good job," Klinsmann said. "Tim has accepted for the time being to be the No. 2, and then down the road there will be a fight for the No. 1 spot like in every position. He accepted that, and we are really happy to have him back on board because of who he is and what he has done for us.”

The U.S. will face Peru on September 4 in Washington D.C. followed by a matchup against Brazil on September 8 in Foxborough, Mass. 

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