These aren't just games for the U.S. men's water polo team. They're a measuring stick.

With two games against reigning world champion Croatia — tonight in Corona del Mar and Saturday at Oaks Christian — the U.S. team will get an idea just where it stands as it prepares for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, now little more than two months away.

The two games highlight a week of joint training with Croatia, a team coached by 2004 U.S. Olympic coach Radko Rudic and winner of the 2007 World Championship tournament in Melbourne, Australia.

It will be the first competition for the U.S. team since its roster was trimmed to 18 players on Tuesday.

"We'll get a really good understanding of where we stand in the world," said driver Thomas Hopkins. "I feel we have a great chance at winning the Olympics and I think we should. We have the talent; it's all about just coming together as a team and representing our country. So I think this next week's going to be really good for us."

Goalkeeper Merrill Moses agreed.

"It's always great to meet the No. 1 team in the world, and I honestly think we match up very well with them. They're going to be close games, and I definitely think we can win the games. We have the talent, we have leadership, we have the coaches. We have everything it takes."

Added Olympic veteran Jeff Powers: "Any time you can train against the world No. 1, it's an amazing opportunity, and I hope we don't waste it. I don't think we will. I think we're going to take advantage of it to the fullest."

Croatia earned its No. 1 ranking by beating Hungary 9-8 in overtime in the gold-medal game at the 2007 championship tournament, winning on a goal by Pavo Markovic with a minute and a half remaining. The U.S. men, who lost 10-8 to Croatia in a preliminary-round game in Melbourne, finished ninth at that tournament.

"This is pretty much the best training you can get — the No. 1 team in the world comes to your pool, and you can play them throughout the entire week," said two-meter man JW Krumpholz, pursuing his first trip to the Olympics. "It's pretty much the best thing that can happen for us as a team right now, to grow as a team and to learn, and learn off of Croatia. We have two big games, and hopefully the atmosphere of those games will be high intensity, kind of like the Olympic Games."

Saturday's 6 p.m. game at Oaks Christian will be telecast on a delayed basis by MSNBC. And U.S. star Tony Azevedo was direct when asked what fans could expect.

"Expect a bloodbath," he said, "and hopefully the U.S. winning. I can tell you right now, it will be a physical game, because right now, they're the best in the world, and we're just trying to find our spot out there. And I really believe we have the talent to win the gold medal, and they don't want us to take it from them."

That sort of belief runs deeply through the U.S. roster.

"I think a lot of people are going to be very surprised, unfortunately, because they don't think we can do things," said Moses. "But we're here to show the world that we're here to win a gold medal."

USA Water Polo announced Wednesday that goalie Chay Lapin and field players Kevin Witt, Juan Delgadillo, Matt Sagehorn, Dreason Barry and Jeff Tyrell had been released from the training roster, cutting the team to 18 players. It must be further trimmed to 13 players and one alternate for the Olympics, with the final roster scheduled to be announced on June 30.

"These players have helped to bring the men's program to a new level," said coach Terry Schroeder in a statement announcing the moves. "We now have 24 athletes that are national-team caliber players. Each of these players has a great future with the men's team and I would expect them all to be around in 2012.

"They have put their heart and soul into making the Olympic team and unfortunately fell a little short this time around. When we stand on the podium in Beijing each one of them should know they played a role in our success. They are a part of our Olympic water polo family."

Continuing with the team are Azevedo, Hopkins, Krumpholz, Powers, Moses, Brian Alexander, Ryan Bailey, Layne Beaubien, Brandon Brooks, Adam Hewko, Tim Hutten, Peter Hudnut, Genai Kerr, John Mann, Rick Merlo, Jesse Smith, Peter Varellas and Adam Wright.