Berlin: Top Germany stars Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos were notable absentees as Joachim Loew named his squad for a friendly with the United States and a Euro 2016 qualifier with Gibraltar.


Thomas Muller. Pic/AFP 

"It's a well deserved rest with another big season coming up," explained Loew, who used the trio to great effect in winning the 2014 World Cup. The United States, led by former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, can avenge their 1-0 first-round defeat out in Brazil when the old friends meet again in Cologne on June 10.