Tim Howard Plans to Return to US Men's National Team After 2015 Gold Cup

Tim Howard has revealed that he intends to end his international football sabbatical and wants to be considered for the United States men's national team again after the 2015 Gold Cup.

The Everton stopper was a heroic influence between the sticks for the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup, but he shocked supporters in August 2014 by announcing he’d be taking a break from the international scene. But while speaking with Everton TV (h/t EvertonFC.com), the 36-year-old confirmed he wants to don his country's colours again:

"

That is the plan [to return soon]. 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 US fans.

"

Felipe Dana/Associated Press

The United States side have actually fared well in Howard’s absence. Jurgen Klinsmann inspired the team to iconic friendly wins away at Germany and the Netherlands earlier in the year. They are also in the semi-finals of the 2015 Gold Cup on home soil and have a fine chance of going all the way.

Howard may need to up his own levels if he’s to get back in the side. The former Manchester United man endured a torrid 2014-15 season for the Toffees, making rudimentary errors that further debilitated a jittery Everton defence.

From the goalkeeper's point of view, hopefully the prospect of representing his country again will rekindle the kind of form that made him a national hero in Brazil a year ago.