Goalkeeper Tim Howard isn’t worried that Clint Dempsey’s return to Major League Soccer will affect the United States’ chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

“It’s good to go abroad and test yourself and be at that level,” the national team player said Thursday during a teleconference with reporters. But “Clint’s not a little boy. He knows what it takes to perform at the highest level. There’s no question Seattle and MLS can offer him that.”

Dempsey, 30, came to the Sounders last week in a four-year deal from English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. The move surprised MLS observers because Dempsey was in the prime of his career playing at the world’s most respected league.

“I’ve known Clint a long time,” said Howard, Everton FC’s keeper. “I’m a firm believer that. you get one career, one career only, and you have to do what’s best for you and the only person who can make that judgment is Clint himself.”

Dempsey, an attacking midfielder who is captain of the U.S. national team, is expected to play a major role in America’s chances of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil. The United States leads the final CONCACAF qualifying round with a 4-1-1 record and 13 points. The next matches are Sept. 6 at Costa Rica and Sept. 10 against Mexico at Columbus.

Howard, who spoke Thursday to talk about NBC Sports’ plan to broadcast all 380 EPL matches this season, said American players don’t necessarily need to go abroad to develop. He cited the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Landon Donovan as a player who has “found a way to keep performance levels very high so when he steps into the international game he doesn’t lose a step. Clint will be no different.”

Howard and Everton, which played at AT&T Park last week in the preseason International Champions Cup tournament, open the Premiership campaign Aug. 17 at Norwich City. He said the extensive broadcast to Americans will increase the excitement heading into the World Cup.

“The American sports fan is just so hungry for soccer now,” Howard said. “Everyone wants to watch the Premier League — even athletes in other sports are watching.”

But nothing is bigger than the World Cup. The Americans are beginning to show life under new coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

One of the biggest questions is whether Donovan will earn a place on the qualifying team after taking a hiatus after the end of the MLS season in December. The former Earthquakes star made a huge impression in his return to the national team last month by leading the United States to the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.

“We’re at our best when we have our best players available and Landon is one of our best players,” Howard said. “I’d be excited to have him in our World Cup qualifying campaign. He lines up on the other side with Clint and teams are going to be fearful. They aren’t going to want to see him.”

Howard also welcomed striker Jozy Altidore’s move to Sunderland after his 31 goals for Dutch First Division side AZ Alkmaar, a record for an American player in Europe.

“He’s strong enough to hold balls up and bring the balls into play” in the EPL, Howard said. “Heading into World Cup he’s our moneymaker. He’s our guy we have to ride all the way.”

America’s next test will be Wednesday at Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly. Then comes a showdown at San Jose, Costa Rica.

“It’s a heck of a place to go,” Howard said. “We’re on the cusp of qualifying. And under Jurgen we’ve gone to a few places where we’ve gotten results where we never got results before. It allows us to be hopeful.”

Howard also is looking forward to the EPL season. New coach Roberto Martinez brought in Spanish goalkeeper Joel Robles last month. But Howard didn’t sound worried about losing his starting spot.

“I don’t think that has ever been a question,” he said. “I’ve never asked for assurances. I know where I stand. My performances over the last 450 games has merited my place. Unless I’ve been asleep and forgotten something I think all is well in my camp.”

Contact Elliott Almond at 408-920-5865 and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/elliottalmond.