Tim Howard ready to return to the U.S. national team

Goalkeeper Tim Howard is ready to make himself available for the United States national team again after taking a break since the 2014 World Cup. The 36-year-old Howard, who plays for Everton in the English Premier League, was allowed a sabbatical from international soccer in August last year but he could now return after the Gold Cup. Howard is targeting selection for the United States’ friendly match against Peru on Sept. 4. “That is the plan,” Howard said in an interview on Everton’s website Wednesday. “I spoke to coach (Jurgen) Klinsmann and we have had open lines of communication as recently as last week. We will speak again after that tournament (the Gold Cup) finishes.” Howard, who has played for his country 104 times, said the break has motivated him to pull on the U.S. jersey once again. – AP