Williams, Diskerud, Agudelo start for US against Germany

COLOGNE, Germany (AP) U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann changed three players for Wednesday night's exhibition against his native Germany, starting Danny Williams, Mix Diskerud and Juan Agudelo in place of Brek Shea, Kyle Beckerman and Alfredo Morales.

Brad Guzan remained in goal, with Timmy Chandler at right back and Ventura Alvarado in central defense. Fabian Johnson shifted from midfield to left back in place of Shea.

Michael Bradley remained in midfield in a 4-4-2 formation and was joined by Williams, who entered as a reserve Friday at the Netherlands and scored the tying goal in the 88th minute of a 4-3 U.S. win. Diskerud, another second-half sub against the Dutch, also started along with Gyasi Zardes, who had been at forward last week.

Agudelo, who didn't play Friday, joined Aron Johannsson in the attack against the World Cup champions.

The U.S. is preparing for next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Americans won the 2013 title and would earn a berth in the Confederations Cup if they win this year's tournament.

Klinsmann played for West Germany's 1990 World Cup champions and coached Germany to third place in the 2006 tournament at home. Klinsmann, who lives in California with his American wife, took over the U.S. team in 2011, and the Americans reached the second round of last year's World Cup before losing to Belgium.

Germany started Ron-Robert Zieler in goal in place of Manuel Neuer, who was left off the roster along with Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos as the stars were given rest after their club seasons.

The champions also started right back Sebastian Rudy, central defenders Shkodran Mustafi and Antonio Rudiger, and left back Jonas Hector. Ahead of them were midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ilkay Gundogan, Patrick Herrmann, Mesut Ozil and Andre Schuerrle, and forward Mario Goetze.

Herrmann was making his national team debut.

Germany plays a European Championship qualifier against Gibraltar on Saturday.