After hiatus, Tim Howard won’t be U.S. starter vs Mexico

United States goalkeeper Tim Howard won’t earn his starting job back before a big playoff match against Mexico.

Howard, a standout performer at the 2014 World Cup, returned to the team Monday after taking a one-year break from international duty.

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann says Brad Guzan will remain No. 1 through the match against Mexico on Oct. 10 to determine which team represents CONCACAF in the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Klinsmann says he is most concerned with “getting some consistency” for his team, and after the Mexico match may consider having the keepers “split some time.”

Both Howard, 34, and Guzan, 30, are part of the squad that will play exhibitions against Peru on Friday and Brazil on Tuesday, the U.S.’s final tuneups.

Howard has started for the U.S. at the past two World Cups.