Goalkeeper Tim Howard, whose 16-save performance in a 2-1 loss to Belgium is considered one of the great performances in World Cup history, announced Thursday he would be taking a break from international competition until September 2015.

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Sep. 11
The hero of the 2014 World Cup for the United States won’t be back in red,
white, and blue for a while. Goalkeeper Tim Howard, whose 16-save
performance in a 2-1 loss to Belgium is considered one of the great
performances in World Cup history, announced Thursday he would be taking
a break from international competition until September 2015.Howard, who is
currently playing for club side Everton in the Barclays Premier League,
discussed his intention to take time away from international play with U.S.
head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and was clear that he is not retiring from the
squad. The sports man given truly his best performnace . “Having played
overseas for the last 12 years and missing out on spending time with my
family, making this commitment to my family is very important at this time,”
said Howard. “I am grateful for the willingness of both Jurgen Klinsmann and
Everton manager Roberto Martinez to afford me the opportunity to spend
time with my kids.
It’s the right decision at the right time. Jurgen has always been up front with all the
players in saying you have to earn your place, which is something I agree with, so I
look forward to coming back next fall and competing for a spot.” During his break,
Howard, 35, will in all likelihood miss eight scheduled friendlies, as well as the 2015
Gold Cup, but will miss no 2018 World Cup qualifiers. Klinsmann said he supports
his keeper’s decision. In Howard’s absence, Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan is
expected to wear the No. 1 shirt for the Stars and Stripes. Guzan, 29, is considered
the successor to Howard and the next in a long line of gifted U.S. goalies.