AMSTERDAM – Per usual, US boss Jurgen Klinsmann is hoping to see some development from a squad heavily populated with young players when a two-game friendly swing against a pair of European powers begins Friday away to the Netherlands (2:30 pm ET, ESPN2, UniMás).
However, that concept now comes off as a given, and not as any specific ambition to discuss.
No, the coach is primarily interested in watching some impact showings from the squad contribute to positive results against both the Dutch and world champions Germany over the next six days. Development is great, but the time has come for everyone in US camp to steel themselves for the CONCACAF battles ahead.
"Are we coming here to get results? Yes, we are," the coach told reporters at Amsterdam ArenA ahead of Friday's match. "We want to compete with them, in real games. And we want to see a lot of things from our players, just a couple weeks away from the Gold Cup."
It's clear, listening to Klinsmann speak, that the team is now deep into the tune-up stage, with much of the audition phase for summer roles clearly done. He suggested with a big smile that stateside fans should expect to see most of the names from this trip to Europe in the final Gold Cup squad when they kick off in Frisco, Texas on July 7.
"We don't know what will happen the next two or three weeks," Klinsmann said. "But the percentage is very high."
Among the injured players posing as question marks is New England Revolution ace Jermaine Jones. The veteran is missing these two friendlies, including what amounts to a homecoming game against Germany on Wednesday, due to a groin setback.
Klinsmann hopes to find out soon whether he can count on the World Cup 2014 standout in this summer's tournament adventure.
"We'll know that over the next couple of days," said the coach. "He's still getting evaluated by the doctors."
