Klinsmann: Guzan set to start over Howard against Mexico

The U.S. coach has indicated that Brad Guzan will get the nod over returning veteran Tim Howard for next month's Confederations Cup playoff.

WASHINGTON — Jurgen Klinsmann has doubled down on his assertion that Brad Guzan is the U.S national team's starting goalkeeper, indicating Tim Howard will ride the pine for two upcoming friendlies and next month's Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico.

The U.S. coach previously confirmed Guzan would retain the No. 1 spot upon Howard's return from a yearlong international sabbatical. Asked Wednesday if the two goalkeepers will split minutes in upcoming friendlies against Peru and Brazil, Klinsmann seemingly ruled out the possibility of Howard having a chance to win back the starting job until after the match against El Tri on Oct. 10 in Pasadena, California.

"Since we are so short away from that clash with Mexico, we are not making real changes right now,"

Klinsmann said. "Brad is the No. 1. Tim is the No. 2. Tim accepted that because he was gone for more than a year from the team. Once we've got the Mexico game — hopefully successfully — out of the way, then we can think about maybe how we can split some time. But now it's really about getting consistency with the players and getting the job done in October."

Guzan, named the top goalkeeper at this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, has started 12 matches since
 Howard's decision to take a break from international play following the 2014 World Cup.
 
The U.S. faces Peru on Friday at RFK Stadium before traveling to Foxborough, Massachusetts, for Tuesday's match against Brazil.