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Tim Howard to start in USMNT's World Cup qualifier in Trinidad and Tobago

John Sibley / Reuters

Tim Howard's 30th appearance in a World Cup qualifier will come in Trinidad and Tobago.

Manager Jurgen Klinsmann announced Thursday the U.S. men's national team (USMNT) will kick off its 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign with Brad Guzan between the posts, with Howard starting in the squad's second qualifier.

The USMNT welcomes Caribbean minnow Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Mo. on Friday night before travelling to Trinidad and Tobago for a qualifier Tuesday.

"It was no secret as to what was going to happen," Guzan said, according to Major League Soccer's official website. "I think Jurgen put some statements out in the last set of games. For us, nothing changes. I think it's probably more of a big deal from you guys (in the media) than it is from us.

"We train the same, we work hard, and obviously for me, (Friday) is a big night because us as a team, we want to get off to a good start in this qualifying campaign."

Howard took a year-long sabbatical from international duty after last year's World Cup and returned to the USMNT in August. However, Guzan has started each of the team's fixtures since Howard's return, and the match in Trinidad and Tobago will mark the first start for the latter since he set the record for the most saves in a World Cup game since 1966, denying Belgium a total of 16 times.

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