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When International friendlies are not so friendly

WHEN ARE international friendlies not so friendly?

They get that way when a nation is coming off a lousy performance in an important tournament and now has a critical match against its archrival looming on the horizon.

That is what is on the mind of the U.S. men's national team when it plays host to Peru Friday night in Washington, and has a glamour matchup with five-time world champion Brazil on Tuesday in Foxborough, Mass.

There is no way to dress up how lousy the United States looked in its final two matches in last month's CONCACAF Gold Cup - a shocking 2-1 loss to Jamaica in the semifinals and a loss via penalty kicks to Panama in the third-place game.

Now, it must play Mexico in a one-game playoff next month at the Rose Bowl for the right to represent the region at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia - a year before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Just as high-profile wins in friendlies in the Netherlands and Germany in June had eased some concerns about the quality of the squad manager Jurgen Klinsmann has assembled, the fumbling in the Gold Cup in July brought those concerns rushing back to the surface.

"Our message to these guys is simple: Prove a point that you want to be at the Rose Bowl," Klinsmann said.

"This is really now time for the guys to make a really strong impression that they understand the situation we're in because of what happened in the Gold Cup."

On Oct. 10 in Pasadena, Calif., the United States plays Mexico in an unprecedented event dubbed the CONCACAF Cup. It is a one-game shootout between the 2013 Gold Cup winner (USA) and the 2015 Gold Cup Champions (Mexico).

The United States could have avoided this all-or-nothing match had it won this summer's Gold Cup.

Instead, it will play Mexico in 100,000-seat American revenue that plays like a second home to Mexico in terms of fan support.

Klinsmann desperately wants the Confederations Cup bid. He is looking for players to show to top form leading into the Mexico match.

The friendlies against Peru and Brazil are when the players get to earn their spots.

"These games are not about developing things for the future," Klinsmann said. "This is about proving a point toward the Mexico game."

Every now and then, Klinsmann has to kick his players in their rears and remind them they have not accomplished enough to get too comfortable with their security on the squad.

Once again, it is step up or risk being left home.

The fact that Klinsmann has dropped high-profile players in the past reinforces the seriousness of his ultimatums.

"The games now, against Peru and Brazil, are the beginning for that game in October," veteran midfielder Jermaine Jones said. "We know this is the main game, and we know it's important that we win that game.

"I think the whole team isn't happy with the result at the Gold Cup, but we have a chance on Oct. 10 where we can fix it. I think we see differently than other friendlies because of that."

Goalkeeper Tim Howard returns to the fold, but the hiatus he took after the 2014 World Cup allowed Brad Guzan establish himself as the No. 1 'keeper. He is the starter through the CONCACAF Cup, so it is his job to keep or lose.

Other familiar names could fall out of favor if they don't perform.

Forward Jozy Altidore was sent home after the qualifying rounds of the Gold Cup and his spot is again tenuous. He needs a big showing heading toward the Mexico game.

With Altidore a question mark and aging Clint Dempsey out of the friendlies with a hamstring injury, the door is wide open for such up-and-comers as Aron Johannsson, Gyasi Zardes, Bobby Wood and Andrew Wooten to make strong impressions at forward.

"There's a time period to break and make yourself comfortable and be a part of the group," Klinsmann said, "but there's also a time to understand the moment to step up and build your future in the team.

"After a year that we called a transition year, where we developed young forwards, we are eager to see the next generation of forwards becoming consistent. By that I mean first of all scoring goals."

Jobs are open at every position for the United States, and players need to grab them.

Brazil's reputation speaks for itself, and, with Peru coming off a third-place finish in this summer's Copa America (South America championship), the quality of these friendlies comes at a perfect time for Klinsmann to make some solid evaluations.

"Initially with these games, and also going back to the matches in Holland and Germany, our goal was to get these experiences for World Cup qualifying and Copa America next summer," he said.

"Now, obviously, the focus has shifted, and we are zoomed in on the CONCACAF Cup and qualifying for the Confederations Cup 2017 in Russia."

Columns: ph.ly/Smallwood