Brad Guzan will get start for USMNT against Panama

Though the United States has already qualified for the 2014 World Cup, they've still got one match in qualifying play left, and it's actually an important one. The USMNT travels to Panama on Tuesday as the home team tries their best to secure the last spot left in CONCACAF that would allow a trip to Brazil. If Panama can win, Mexico loses, and some wacky things happen with goal differential, Panama will move on to face New Zealand for one of the last spots into the tournament.

Doing his best to stop this from happening will be Brad Guzan, who will get the start for the US in goal. Everton's Tim Howard, the team's number one keeper, has been sent home after an exceptional campaign in the qualifying rounds. Howard only allowed 6 goals in 7 matches, but Guzan hasn't been bad either. In his two starts he's managed to keep a clean sheet, in the US against Costa Rica and at the Azteca in Mexico.

The start against Panama is something that Guzan has definitely earned, but don't take it to mean that he's the new number-one choice for the US. Howard has a death-grip on the job. Nevertheless, it's good to see Guzan still getting playing time, and should anything happen to Howard, he's the obvious choice for Jurgen Klinsmann.