Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard will likely be unavailable when the Rapids open the Western Conference Championship against the Seattle Sounders later this month, a potentially huge shift for both teams on the brink of the MLS Cup Final.
U.S. Soccer confirmed Sunday that Howard suffered an injury to his right adductor during the USMNT's loss to Mexico on Friday night, and that he is set to return to Colorado for "further evaluation and to determine treatment plans." ESPN FC also reported on Sunday that Howard's recovery will be "measured in 'months, not weeks'" and that Howard would likely be unavailable for the Western Conference Championship, slated to begin Nov. 22 in Seattle. The Sounders will travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the second leg on Nov. 27.
Howard suffered the injury near the end of the first half of the USMNT's World Cup qualifying match on Friday night at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. He pulled up in obvious pain after taking a goal kick in the 40th minute, and was immediately replaced by backup goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Howard picked up seven shutouts in 17 regular-season appearances after his celebrated midseason arrival in Denver, and played a huge part in the team's win over the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference Semifinals. He picked up a shutout in the second leg of the series and then made two saves in the ensuing penalty kick shootout as the Rapids advanced to the conference championship for the first time since 2010.
If Howard is out for the remainder of the playoffs, the Rapids will look to Zac MacMath, who began the season as a reliable starter before Howard joined in the summer transfer window. MacMath, 25, hasn't played for Colorado since Sept. 3 in a 2-0 loss at the New England Revolution, but he picked up six shutouts in 17 appearances before Howard's arrival.
