Howard to replace Keller as top US goalkeeper

24 May 2007 21:06

Eight players from the 2005 championship squad, including forward Landon Donovan, seen here in April 2007, are among the 23 players named here Thursday to the US football team by coach Bob Bradley for next month´s Gold Cup tournament among North American nations.

CHICAGO (AFP) - Everton's Tim Howard will serve as the top goalkeeper for the United States in next month's Gold Cup, moving past veteran Kasey Keller, US coach Bob Bradley said Thursday in naming his 23-man roster.

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan, who has five goals this year, and 2005 Gold Cup Golden Boot winner DaMarcus Beasley were among eight men from the 2005 US title team named for the biennial North American football tournament.

Bundesliga netminder Keller likely will play an early round match to set a US record with a sixth Gold Cup appearance, but Bradley made it clear that Howard is his top choice between the goalposts.

"We enter this tournament with the thought that Tim Howard is our number one goalkeeper," Bradley said. "Its a discussion weve had with Tim and Kasey. In the last camp they really challenged each other and really worked well."

After a June 2 tuneup friendly against China, US players will defend their Gold Cup crown on home turf June 6-24, with first-round matches June 7 against Guatemala, June 9 against Trinidad and Tobago and June 12 against El Salvador.

"Following those games, decisions get made upon form and what we feel is the best decision on the day for our team," Bradley said of the Howard-Keller choice.

The Americans, 29-4 with five drawn in Gold Cup history, will also play in Copa America, the South American championship that begins in Venezuela on June 26, two days after the Gold Cup final. The US men open June 28 with Argentina.

"At the moment the feeling is that neither Tim nor Kasey would play in Copa America," Bradley said.

Brad Guzan of Chivas USA is the third goalkeeper should Keller or Howard be injured although he will stay with his Major League Soccer team unless needed.

A dozen European-based players arrive Sunday in Los Angeles to open training camp with US-based MLS talent joining them one week later.

"Winning the Gold Cup is our most important priority this year and I believe we have assembled a team capable of doing that," Bradley said.

"We have a very good blend of talent, youth and experience. This is a great opportunity to secure our place as one of the top teams in the region as well as obtain valuable experience as we progress towards World Cup qualifying."

Oguchi Onyewu of Belgium's Standard de Liege, Carlos Bocanegra of Fulham, Jay DeMerit of Watford, Jonathan Spector of West Ham and Frank Simek of Sheffield Wednesday lead the defense.

PSV Eindhoven's Beasley, Fulham's Clint Dempsey and Colorado's Pablo Mastroeni will anchor the midfield while Donovan and fellow MLS players Eddie Johnson, Brian Ching and Taylor Twellman comprise the forward attack.