World Cup 2014: Tim Howard Makes United States Preliminary Roster

It isn't a shock, but Tim Howard has been officially named to the United States preliminary roster for the 2014 World Cup. The American is expected to be the US number one for the second consecutive World Cup. He will be deputized by Aston Villa's Brad Guzan who had a fine season himself.

With group games against Ghana, Germany, and Portugal, Howard will have to be on top of his game if the US has any chance of advancing to the group stages. While there was talk of Howard being dropped for Guzan in early 2013, a fantastic season under Roberto Martinez has seen any debate about the USA jersey silenced.

Howard will also be joined by former Everton man Landon Donovan. The right winger will be making what is likely his last appearance in a World Cup in Brazil. Donovan debuted in the international competition back in 2002 when the US made a fantastic run into the World Cup quarterfinals before losing to Germany in controversial fashion.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)

DEFENDERS (11): DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Nürnberg), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders FC)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Mix Diskerud (Rosenborg), Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union), Julian Green (Bayern Munich), Jermaine Jones (Besiktas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)