The next USWNT game is a rematch of last month’s Algarve Cup final where the U.S. defeated Germany 2-0. The rivalry isn’t one of the Americans' most bitter as of late (Canada, anyone?), but there is a long history between two of the world’s best teams, so expect some friction. Germany is gearing up for this summer’s European Championships and wants revenge. In the final, Silvia Neid sat several veterans including Saskia Bartusiak, Kim Kulig, and Melanie Behringer. The trio should play this time around, so don’t be surprised if this is a very different game.

Also, look to see if Germany switches up its approach in the midfield. In Portugal, the German defense focused on Christen Press, who was having a breakout tournament, which allowed Alex Morgan to net two goals. Neid may switch tactics, especially since the Americans will also have Lauren Cheney and a healthy Megan Rapinoe back to unclog the midfield.

The game also holds the potential to see another fiery matchup re-kindled. U.S. defensive midfielder Julie Johnston had a fierce battle with Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsán during the gold medal match of the U-20 World Cup last fall. The American expertly marked her counterpart, and things got heated between the two towards the end.

Johnston, a promising defensive midfielder who has garnered praise from Brandi Chastain and Christie Rampone, is in good position to become the heir to Shannon Boxx’s defensive midfield position, and will hopefully see some time in these games. She is one of three new additions to the roster from the Algarve Cup, along with midfielder Meghan Klingenberg and goalkeeper Adrianna Franch. (Amber Brooks recently tweeted that she was training with the U.S. in Germany, but has not been added to the roster.) Klingenberg, who plays for Tyreso FF in Sweden, was an alternate at last summer’s Olympics, and missed out on a call up to the January training camps and the Algarve Cup due to an injury. She is healthy now and adds support to the Americans' left side.

Franch is uncapped on the senior team but has represented the U.S. at the U-20 and U-23 level. With several goalies ahead of her, including a young and promising Ashlyn Harris, Franch’s call-up is most likely a chance to give the young woman training experience with the national team with little to no pressure.

No matter when or how they’re used, these players will have to make the most of their playing time. Sermanni has had no problem cycling new faces into the lineup. Seeing consistent time, however, is more difficult. Press and Whitney Engen have led the pack with 276 and 286 minutes, respectively, while Crystal Dunn and Kristie Mewis have gotten 145 and 118 minutes each. Johnston tallied eight minutes in a friendly against Scotland, while Lindsey Horan, who was not named to the roster for these friendlies, has 17 minutes. These fresh faces are a stark change from Pia Sundhage’s set pool of players, but Sermanni has also sent the message that he will stick with whoever is hot at the moment.

Someone who will not have to worry about playing time is Abby Wambach, who enters the Germany match four goals short of tying Mia Hamm’s all-time goals mark. Although Wambach played very little in the Algarve Cup championship game, she should get a bit more of a run out in these matches. After this series, the USWNT has only one more game scheduled for 2013, a grudge match against Canada in Canada this June. That will bring its game tally to nine on the year, which is about average for this year in the World Cup cycle.

Maura Gladys, a featured ASN columnist, works in production for KICKTV. She also runs the goalkeeping blog All You Need Is Glove.