Tim Howard returns from injury

The United States men’s national team goalkeeping situation received a bit of good news on Saturday as Tim Howard started and played in his first competitive match since injuring his groin against Mexico in November.

Bruce Arena stated earlier this week that he has plans in place if Howard and his other questionable veterans like Geoff Cameron and Clint Dempsey aren’t able to be called in. However, with Howard’s return to the field that could leave him with a difficult decision to make considering who has been playing lately and who hasn’t.

Of the possible starting goalkeeper options against Honduras on March 24, Nick Rimando is the only one who could be considered a starter for his team, but he’s only been in action during preseason and a couple of regular season matches. Brad Guzan is riding the bench for Middlesbrough most weeks, even though he did start today and Ethan Horvath hasn’t seen the field since transferring to Club Brugge in the winter transfer window.

Will Arena take a gamble and call in Howard now that he’s back and playing? If he does, will he start him? So many questions to be answered, but at least we know Howard is back on the field.