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Big questions before USMNT's pre-World Cup friendlies - Can Pepi nail down spot? Is Turner too rusty?

In less than two months, the 3,065-day wait between World Cup matches for the United States men's national team will come to an end. Only tuneups against Japan in Germany (Friday, 8:25 am ET on ESPN2/ESPN+) and Saudi Arabia (on Tuesday in Spain) remain before the Nov. 21 group-stage opener against Wales in Qatar.

- World Cup finals bracket and fixtures schedule

These two friendlies are, for all intents and purposes, the last chance for players to make direct impressions on U.