Goalie Howard about to draw double duty

commerce city» Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard this week is focused on his first taste of the Rocky Mountain Cup rivalry, but after the match he’ll shift his attention to the United States’ World Cup qualifying match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Yeah, I’m heading into training camp for sure,” Howard said Wednesday.

Howard said he’ll join up with the U.S. after the Rapids’ match Friday against Real Salt Lake. The U.S. travels to St. Vincent for the Sept. 2 contest and will host Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 6 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Despite losing the U.S. starting job to Brad Guzan during Copa America, it was still business as usual for the Rapids goalkeeper.

“Keep playing and performing. That’s all I’ve ever done,” Howard said of his mind-set heading into camp. “As far as player personnel decisions, I don’t make those. I never have. (I’m) trying to perform as best I can for the Colorado Rapids, then when I get into training camp, make sure I’m doing the business there. If selected to play, I’m fit and ready and hungry.”

Howard will miss Colorado’s Sept. 3 match at New England, but the Rapids have a replacement they can trust. Zac MacMath leads MLS in goals-against average (0.69) and has six shutouts in 16 starts this season.

Day to day for J.J.

Midfielder Jermaine Jones could find himself out of the World Cup qualifying picture next week as the U.S. international continues to work his way back from a knee injury that has sidelined him since July 4.

“Jermaine Jones is still day to day,” Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni said Wednesday. “He’s still struggling with a little bit of the pain around that joint and the LCL.”