Netherlands squad

ESPN FC's Taylor Twellman looks ahead to the United States men's national team's upcoming friendly against the Netherlands, and discusses the lack of stars on the squad.

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced a 22-man squad on Sunday for a pair of friendlies against the Netherlands and Germany that begin on June 5, though Jermaine Jones was later dropped because of a groin injury.

World Cup starters Graham Zusi, Matt Besler and Omar Gonzalez were left off at the coach's discretion, while captain Clint Dempsey will remain in Seattle awaiting the birth of his fourth child and Alejandro Bedoya is recovering from a knee injury

Other notable absentees from the roster are Geoff Cameron and Greg Garza, suspected to be because of injury.

The U.S. will play the Netherlands on June 5, in Amsterdam (2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/WatchESPN); the second match is set for June 10, in Cologne (2:45 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1).

World Cup veteran Michael Bradley will lead the U.S. into two pre-Gold Cup friendlies vs. the Netherlands and Germany in June.

"Our time since the World Cup has been a transition period which now winds down before the Gold Cup, " Klinsmann said. "Playing against top teams like Germany and the Netherlands provides valuable experience, especially for the younger players here."

Jones was dropped from the squad on Monday after picking up an injury in New England's game on Sunday night. Originally he was listed on the roster as a midfielder, even though he's played as a center-back in his last few games with the national team.

- U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer)

"He's going to be back in midfield because of the fact that we have so many high-quality center-backs, " Klinsmann said. "With the discovery of Ventura Alvarado who won the CONCACAF Champions League with Club America, we think we have a very strong and stable back line and we don't need Jermaine in the center-back role.'"

The two friendlies will be the final chance for Klinsmann and his staff to decide which players they will include to compete in the Gold Cup this summer, which will be played in stadiums across the U.S. starting on July 7.

The roster is a mix of young players and experienced veterans for the U.S., with eight players having 10 caps or less, while nine have made 20 appearances or more.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan returns to the team for the first time this year. He missed time in March because of the birth of his first child, and lost his starting spot at Aston Villa late in the season. Nick Rimando has started all five games this year, but Klinsmann said Guzan is in line to start the Gold Cup.

The full squad:

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders FC), Michael Orozco (Puebla), Brek Shea (Orlando City SC), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Miguel Ibarra (Minnesota United FC), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Alfredo Morales (Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading)

Forwards: Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Aron Johannsson (AZ Alkmaar), Bobby Wood (1860 Munich), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)