Season › 2015-16 › News Howard back between the sticks for USA , 13 October, 12comments | Jump to most recent Tim Howard made his first appearance for the United States since his record-breaking display at the World Cup last summer as the US lost 1-0 to Costa Rica. The 36-year-old took a year off from the international game and returned at the beginning of last month but, having been demoted to Brad Guzan's understudy in the interim, he has had to wait for the chance to play again. Howard was named in Jurgen Klinsmann's starting XI to face Costa Rica this evening, his first action for the US since gaining world renown for his 16 saves against Belgium in the round of 16 in Brazil, a World Cup record. He faced his Everton team-mate, Bryan Oviedo who played 54 minutes for the Central Americans in the friendly which was settled by Joel Campbell's first-half goal. Meanwhile, in Asuncià³n, Ramiro Funes Mori played the full 90 minutes as Argentina were held to a goalless draw by Paraguay. Reader Comments (12) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Anthony Dwyer 1 Posted 14/10/2015 at 00:37:03 I was delighted to hear Tim had quit the international scene, but as a result it seemed to go hand in hand with his biggest drop in form since he joined us.Now maybe a move back into the international fold will kick him back on, his form has made a noticeable improvement since the start of the season, maybe that goes hand in hand too. Ciaran Duff 2 Posted 14/10/2015 at 06:27:52 Any match reports? How was Oviedo?Glad to see RFM get picked for the Argies especially after they lost the first game at home when he wasn't playing. Clean sheet is always good for a defender. Ralph Basnett 3 Posted 14/10/2015 at 07:55:23 Yes, we know Tim is back in between the sticks – no clean sheet!!!!!!!! Dave Abrahams 4 Posted 14/10/2015 at 09:14:02 I had £10 on Costa Rica scoring from a corner, did they? Barry McNally 5 Posted 14/10/2015 at 11:46:56 Oviedo was subbed off in the 54th minute, hope it wasn't through injury. He's a shadow of his former self since that injury. Yeah, good to see Ramiro Funes Mori getting a start for Argentina and keeping a clean sheet – I hope he's not knackered for Saturday. Paul McGinty 7 Posted 14/10/2015 at 17:41:49 No it wasn't a corner... Joel Campbell got the goal from open play. Howard made a couple of good saves. The US were outplayed... Campbell, who I have always liked as a player was in my opinion hands down best player on the field. Must be on good money at the Arse. You would think a good pick up for someone. Oviedo played as a wing back in a midfield 5. Kept in simple, obviously coming back to fitness but not there yet. The US were awful, I thought. Jim Hardin 8 Posted 14/10/2015 at 21:28:54 Dave and Ralph, Wow, what class you two embody. FYI, the goal wasn't from a corner but rather from a midfielder failing to follow his man into the top of the box, á la Barkley and McCarthy at times to put it in terms of players you might understand. Our defenders in the back seem to know how to position themselves goalside and how to judge the ball and how to defend corners. Odd that two coaches currently disagree with you experts about Howard and his skills. Obviously you do know better.As for Oviedo, he was mostly anonymous in the game, making no big mistakes but also very little impact. Arsenal's Campbell looked very good. The Ticos have a ton of pace up front. Tony Abrahams 9 Posted 14/10/2015 at 22:00:46 Looks like you lost your bet, Dave! Ralph Basnett 10 Posted 15/10/2015 at 06:10:20 As already stated, Jim, Howard plays, no clean sheet.Like you, I am entitled to my opinion, he is crap!!!!The two managers you refer to have won what exactly?Get over yourself, you have an opinion and I have one...Yawn. Dave Abrahams 11 Posted 15/10/2015 at 09:22:44 Jim, we might lack class, you lack an English or Scouse sense of humour... Seriously, I couldn't care less what careless hands does for America, just Everton. Jim Lloyd 12 Posted 15/10/2015 at 09:52:02 Bit of a curate's egg is our Tim. He's saved us on plenty of occasions with world class saves; and then has dropped us right in it with fumbles or his cement feet at crosses.All-in-all, I think he's been a decent goalie for us. Yep, we could get better but we'd have to pay big money for one. Unless we unearth one ourselves, that's the problem.While we are in the process of building up a squad capable of challenging for the top six and (hopefully) winning some cups, we'll have to prioritise about what position is needed most replacing.I certainly don't think he's crap but he does have a real weakness in commanding his six-yard box.I'd love it if we could find another like Westy, or Big Nev but they come along like one of the buses round our way! Jim Hardin 13 Posted 16/10/2015 at 23:51:04 The class comment (or lack thereof) was on negative comments directed towards an Everton player. What purpose did it serve? How is it an opinion rather than an intended slight? There is a difference between the two. Ralph, in answer to your question, one won the FA Cup didn't he? The other won a World Cup, several titles and several individual player awards in various leagues as a player and made it to the semis of the World Cup as a coach. He has won a Gold Cup with the USA and oops, got them farther than the Three Lions in the last World Cup right? Also, he is widely credited with revamping the German system which produced the players whom I believe are the current World Champions. So pardon me, but I will take their opinions of Howard's worth as a GK over yours, humor(?) notwithstanding. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads © ToffeeWeb