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Tim Howard ready to return to USMNT fold: 'That is the plan'

Andrew Couldridge / Reuters

The last time Tim Howard took the pitch for the United States Men's National Team, he put in one of the most stellar performances ever seen at the World Cup between the posts.

In what was the defining display of his career thus far, Howard made 16 saves in the United States' round-of-16 fixture versus Belgium last year, making surreal stop after surreal stop before surrendering two goals in extra time.

Following the jaw-dropping show, he announced he was taking a one-year break from international football, saying: "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."

The one-year sabbatical is now over, and on Wednesday - in what may not have been the best time to make the announcement given the U.S. is scheduled to take on Jamaica in the Gold Cup semifinals on the same day - Howard said he's ready to return to Jurgen Klinsmann's side.

"That is the plan (to return soon)," Howard told evertontv. "I spoke to coach Klinsmann and we have had open lines of communication as recently as last week. We spoke but obviously they are very busy with the Gold Cup at the moment. We will speak again after that tournament finishes and I will make myself available for selection. We will see where we go from there.

"I have missed it. It was a tough decision to make. It has been a good break, but all it has done is really fuelled my fire. I have missed the boys, the competition, and playing in front of the U.S. fans."

Whether Howard is able snatch the role of first-choice 'keeper from Brad Guzan remains to be seen, but his form at Everton last season suggests he's more than capable of doing so.

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