Aston Villa's Brad Guzan ready for United States
Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan today declared he will reignite his international career and the United States' World Cup dream.
The 28-year-old is in line for his first national start for almost three years, with Everton's Tim Howard out after breaking two bones in his back.
The United States face Costa Rica tonight and Mexico on Tuesday bottom of the Concacaf group after one game following last month's defeat to Honduras.
And Guzan insisted he is the man to fill the void left by Howard and aid their Rio 2014 bid.
He said: "Now's the time for me to step up. This is a chance for me to use what I have learned in the last months in England. You can't let nerves in, they can't help.
"Tim has a bit of an injury now, so I will turn my focus towards the qualifiers which are huge for us.
"Hopefully, I can carry on and get good results in my next few games. If my name is called and I am the person to play, then I'll definitely be ready to help the cause, that's for sure.
"With those good results at Villa the other stuff will take care of itself. First and foremost it is taking care of business here with Aston Villa."
Guzan has 20 caps but has been forced to play second fiddle to Everton star Howard and hasn't made a World Cup qualifying appearance in almost four years.
But United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann said: "We have 1,000 per cent faith in Brad. We are not worried at all."
