USA vs. Netherlands: Date, Time, Live Stream and 2015 Friendly Preview

The USA face a very tough challenge on Friday as they line up against the Netherlands in Amsterdam ahead of the Dutch side's crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Latvia.

Both sides have had a difficult time since last summer's World Cup in which the pair impressed. USA are very much in a period of transition under coach Jurgen Klinsmann and have endured mixed fortunes over the last year.

The Dutch, meanwhile, have lost four times since their third-place finish at the World Cup, and are currently third in their Euro 2016 qualifying group under Guus Hiddink.

It is sure to be an intriguing clash at the Amsterdam ArenA. Read on for a full preview, along with scheduling and live streaming details.

Date: Friday, June 5

Time: 2:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. BST

TV Info: ESPN (U.S.), MUTV (subscription required)

Live Stream: WatchESPN, MUTV

Preview

Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press

Friday's game is vital for both teams as they prepare for crucial upcoming fixtures. The Netherlands desperately need to beat Latvia if they are to keep pace with Iceland and Czech Republic in their qualifying group.

Meanwhile, the USMNT have another tricky friendly with Germany to get through ahead of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.

The USA will be without injured duo Jozy Altidore and Alejandro Bedoya, while skipper Clint Dempsey is absent as he is awaiting the birth of his fourth child.

However, Klinsmann has earmarked the Dutch clash as an opportunity for some of his younger, more inexperienced players to pit themselves against some of the best in the world, per US Soccer:

"

Our time since the World Cup has been a transition period which now winds down before the Gold Cup. Playing against top teams like Germany and the Netherlands provides valuable experience, especially for the younger players here. More and more they must understand we come to meet these opponents eye to eye. Obviously it’s a bit tricky when we are without some of our core players, but that creates a huge opportunity for the guys here to benchmark themselves against some of the best players in the world.

"

Hiddink also has injury concerns with star man Arjen Robben absent due to a long-term calf problem. Prolific Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost—who scored 16 goals in 21 Bundesliga appearances in 2014-15 per WhoScored.com—is also carrying a knock, per Football Oranje:

"

Bas Dost will link up with the Netherlands squad today, but he has admitted he has a slight hamstring problem suffered in the DFB Pokal.

— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) June 1, 2015"

However, Hiddink still has a swathe of heavy hitters to call upon, with Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay both set to play their part against the U.S., per Dutch football writer Elko Born:

The likes of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Gregory van der Wiel, Daley Blind and Stefan de Vrij are all also in the Dutch squad, and the USA will most certainly be the underdogs.

There will be a great deal of focus on Depay's performance after the youngster's brilliant season in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven—he top-scored with 22 goals per WhoScored—and subsequent switch to Manchester United.

His pace and movement are likely to trouble the USA defence, and it will be interesting to see how he links up with potential future team-mate Van Persie.

The Netherlands, undeniably, have the better pedigree in their side and home advantage makes them stronger favourites for Friday's friendly.

However, as shown at last summer's World Cup, the USA have a terrific ability to be more than the sum of their parts, and their endeavour and organisation should help them against the Dutch attack.

It is likely to be a tight, well-fought encounter, as well as an opportunity for both managers to tinker ahead of more important upcoming challenges.