Zardes should get the nod in Sunday's Friendly, with his experience and familiarity with Berhalter's system giving him the advantage over both Ramirez and Ebobisse, who are both searching for their first national team cap.

Central defense is an area in flux for the national team at the moment, with Matt Miazga enduring a rough period in his career after a failed loan to Nantes before his recent move to Reading.

Both Aaron Long and Walker Zimmerman will look to show Berhalter that they should be considered for that starting role when the full squad comes together in March.

Long is coming off an MLS Defender of the Year campaign while Zimmerman is fresh from an impressive season with Los Angeles FC.

"One thing I like about the center backs, all of them, including Justen Glad, who was in camp, is they’re very comfortable in one-v-one situations and I think that gives us flexibility as a group," Berhalter said.

The 20-year-old was originally seen as a player brought in with a look toward his involvement in Olympic qualifying down the road, but he has made the most of his opportunity, and could be called on to start on Sunday ahead of some more established veterans.