United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan says Wednesday's friendly against Germany presents the Americans' last chance to "jell" before the Gold Cup next month.
The U.S., coming of a remarkable comeback in a 4-3 win against the Netherlands, play its final friendly before the CONCACAF tournament against the World Cup champions in Cologne.
Despite the tough challenge, Guzan says the upcoming Gold Cup provides the Americans a greater incentive to focus, as Germany are only warming up for a European qualifier against the minnows of all minnows in Gibraltar.
"When you play a game like this going into the summer, for us obviously we've got the Gold Cup, but for them, they've got a game [next] -- I think it's Gibraltar -- things are a little different in terms of what's on the table to play for," Guzan said.
"But from our standpoint we need to prepare for the summer and a huge tournament and so we'll be looking forward to this as one of the last, final opportunities to try and make this right, and make things jell as quickly as possible going into the summer.
A second-straight title in the Gold Cup would secure the U.S.' spot in the 2017 Confederations Cup, an opportunity Guzan does not want to squander.
In a chat on Tuesday with ESPN FC, Guzan said of the Gold Cup: "I think it's an exciting tournament and with the quality of players we have in our player pool hopefully we can use it to qualify for Confederations Cup."
Although Guzan will play for the U.S. this summer, Tim Howard will return to the squad in September, creating a competition for the starting role ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
Asked if he thought he would be starting in Russia, Guzan said, "Not for me to decide -- all I can do is work hard and help the team try and win games."
Guzan, who lost his spot as Aston Villa's starting keeper late in the season, also reiterated his desire to play his club football in Major League Soccer sometime in the future, and praised the growth of the domestic league.
"I don't know when but at some point I do want to play in the MLS again," Guzan said.
"I think the MLS is greatly improving and the influx of European players is proving that it is a league that is competitive and very reputable."