Gio Reyna Gregg Berhalter Ricardo Pepi USMNT GFXGetty/GOAL

Reyna in midfield, Pepi up front? How the USMNT could line up against Japan

Just two games stand between the U.S. men's national team and the World Cup and, for several players, those two games could make all the difference.

First up is a friendly against Japan in Germany – a match that gives the U.S. a strong test against a fellow World Cup qualifier, a welcome and overdue opportunity to go up against a non-CONCACAF side containing some top talent.

Heading into that game, there are several things Gregg Berhalter will look to accomplish. The first is to give his stars, both those in form and out of it, a run out together to build chemistry for the World Cup.

Article continues below

The second objective will be to assess those players on the fringes, the ones gunning for those last few spots on the plane to Qatar.

So, here's a look at how the USMNT could line up against Japan...