Tim Howard to miss Costa Rica qualifier

The United States men’s national team will take on Costa Rica in the unfriendly confines of Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose without their starting goalkeeper.

U.S. Soccer announced on Sunday afternoon that Tim Howard will miss the USMNT’s second Hexagonal match with what was diagnosed as a right abductor injury.

He suffered the injury midway through the first half in Columbus against Mexico on an attempted goal kick and could not continue. Instead of traveling with the team, he’ll return to his club team, Colorado Rapids, to be further evaluated in lead up to their Western conference final against Seattle Sounders.

Almost assuredly this means that Brad Guzan will get the start between the sticks in front of a raucous crowd on Tuesday night.

While this match won’t be a must-win (thankfully because the U.S. has never won in Costa Rica), it’s important for them to at least get something from it. Starting the Hex 0-2 is not something you want if it can be avoided.