Tim Howard

Tim Howard to miss next USMNT qualifier, Colorado Rapids playoffs in doubt

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:32 p.m. ET

Caitlin Murray

We knew this was coming, but now it's official. Tim Howard will not be going to Costa Rica as the U.S. men's national team continues the Hex round of World Cup qualifying.

Howard suffered "an injury to his right adductor," according to a statement from U.S. Soccer. The severity of the injury was not indicated, but it could end up forcing Howard to miss MLS Cup playoffs, with his Colorado Rapids team set for the Western Conference finals next week.

For the USMNT, the 37-year-old's absence isn't ideal. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann has often rotated Howard with Brad Guzan, but Guzan hasn't played for his club, Middlesbrough, since August. Guzan was not asked to make many saves when he came in on Friday to finish the match against Mexico, and now he will have to focus on Tuesday's match in Costa Rica.

For the Rapids, it could force them to go back to Zac MacMath in net if Howard isn't ready in time. MacMath, with a very good defense in front of him, had been having an excellent season as the Rapids' start until he was bumped so Howard could take his spot as a summer acquisition.

The Rapids and MacMath had been doing well enough before Howard's arrival that it was unclear if the club really needed him. As it turns out, the Rapids have conceded more goals since Howard arrived, although blaming that all on Howard wouldn't quite be fair.

Still, as good as MacMath had been playing for the first few months of the season – and it was the best stretch of his career – he hasn't been a regular starter since the summer. He last played for Colorado in September, a one-off where he conceded twice, and asking him to come back during MLS Cup playoffs isn't ideal.

The Rapids have their first leg of the Western Conference final on Nov. 22 (10 p.m. ET, FS1) and for a team as defensive and low-scoring as Colorado is, the Rapids will hope whichever goalkeeper they have will be in form.

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