The U.S. men's national team heads into their clash with Germany knowing the stakes. It's only a friendly, of course, so nothing real, nothing tangible, will be won or lost on Saturday afternoon. But still, this feels like more than a friendly; it feels like a benchmark.
Games like this don't come around too often, especially for a team set to host the next World Cup. Hosting big, competitive, high-quality matches is a luxury, and the U.S. will be looking to take advantage of a chance to make something of a statement against a team like Germany.
That's easier said than done, though, as Gregg Berhalter's side does enter the game missing two locked-in starters: Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson. Still, there's a lot of talent in this USMNT pool, and it's Berhalter's job to decide how to use what's at his disposal for the time being.
Does that mean a potential formation switch, moving from the familiar 4-3-3 to the new-and-exciting 4-2-3-1, a setup that could get the best out of Gio Reyna? Or does the U.S. stick with what they know against a big opponent in an effort to get a result?
Here's how the USMNT could line up in Saturday's friendly...