Cat Friendly: Here's what to watch as Sunderland A.F.C. visits NM United
The element of the unknown will be very much in play on Wednesday when the New Mexico United hosts Sunderland A.F.C. in an international friendly.
While the Black Cats bring decades of English soccer tradition to Isotopes Park 鈥� including six top-flight titles and a pair of FA Cup victories 鈥� they are only just entering the preseason portion of their current campaign. The United matchup is part of a three-game exhibition tour in the United States that included a stop in San Antonio, Texas, this past Saturday and another game in North Carolina on Friday. Sunderland鈥檚 season begins on Aug. 6.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have the crystal ball to know exactly who they鈥檙e rolling out,鈥� United coach Eric Quill said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just trying to figure out as much as possible. We鈥檙e not gonna be as fully prepared (as we would be) against a league opponent. ... We鈥檒l have to feel our way through the first half and know the profiles of the roster that they have and prepare guys for the individuality of the players on the roster. We鈥檒l show them clips, and we鈥檒l prepare them so they walk in with a good game plan mentally. Once the whistle blows, it鈥檚 on them to find solutions.鈥�
This much is clear: Sunderland brought the best talent it has to offer across the pond. It鈥檚 just a matter of how playing time will be distributed.
鈥淲e brought our first-team squad,鈥� said Sunderland director of sport Kristjaan Speakman. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a really young, dynamic team. Our average age is 23.5. Last year we put out the youngest team in The Championship in England by some margin. All of our players are players that participate in the league season. We鈥檝e got a range of international players, a really exciting group of players.鈥�
After being relegated from the Premier League in 2017, expectations are high in Sunderland. A sixth-place finish in the Championship last season nearly returned the team to top-flight status.
According to Black Cats manager Tony Mowbray, minutes distribution could change from what was shown in San Antonio.
鈥淭he first game we played 45 minutes with 10 players and 45 minutes with another 10 players,鈥� Mowbray said. 鈥淭his game, some of them will play 90 minutes, some of them will play 60 or 75 minutes because we鈥檙e trying to build up toward the start of our season.鈥�
Mowbray points to Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts and recent 17-year-old signee Jobe Bellingham 鈥� among others 鈥� as Sunderland players to watch on Wednesday. Regardless of who takes the field for the storied club, it represents a unique opportunity for the United squad.
鈥淔irst and foremost it鈥檚 an opportunity that we鈥檒l all remember in our careers for the rest of our lives 鈥e play the game to play big matches,鈥� said New Mexico midfielder Daniel Bruce, a native of Warrington, England. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we relish about this game. We want to play in big games against good teams. This is certainly one of those.鈥�
For the United, being in the middle of its season could work to its benefit against an opponent that is still working out the kinks. On the other hand, Quill says his team will be playing against Sunderland with one eye on its USL matchup against Sacramento on Saturday.
鈥淲e鈥檙e gonna play and rotate to make sure that we鈥檙e giving ourselves the best chance to win but also to be ready and healthy for Saturday night as well,鈥� Quill said.
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS: The United has not had an international friendly since it played Cardiff City to a 1-1 draw in 2019.
That game, like the Sunderland match, was arranged by UK-based company PSC Limited and the U.S.-based First Wave sa国际传媒官网网页入口 International. The familiarity from the previous game played a role in securing the upcoming exhibition. United also checked a number of key boxes.
鈥�(It was) a number of clubs really, (United Soccer League) level, that we looked at,鈥� said Mark Taylor, CEO of PSC Ltd. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 No. 1, the strength of the team, two, the strength of the organization itself. Wanting to play the bigger and better teams in the USL. The quality of the venue. And also the attendance as well.鈥�
The surrounding facilities didn鈥檛 hurt, either.
鈥淥ne of the biggest elements of a team coming over to the U.S. is what they encounter in terms of training facilities,鈥� said First Wave president Stefani Miglioranzi. 鈥淚n sa国际传媒官网网页入口 we鈥檝e found the University of New Mexico has an outstanding, top-level facility they can use. Cardiff was extremely happy in 2019. We were certain it鈥檚 going to meet the needs of Sunderland.鈥�
If all goes as planned, there won鈥檛 be nearly as long a break between international friendlies at Isotopes Park.
鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping for a good turnout 鈥� I would say we鈥檙e definitely looking to do things in the future, but it鈥檚 partially reliant on the turnout from the fans to support the event as well,鈥� Taylor said.
HIGH HEAT: Sunderland got a taste of the heat last weekend in San Antonio, and temperatures are expected to hit triple digits in sa国际传媒官网网页入口 on Wednesday. It鈥檚 something Mowbray has told his team to embrace.
鈥淲e come from the Northeast of England, where it鈥檚 generally blowing a gale and it can be wet this time of year,鈥� he said. 鈥淕oing out and training in over 100 degrees has been a test for the players. I told them, wait 鈥榯il January, February in England where it鈥檚 freezing cold and everybody鈥檚 got four layers on 鈥� you should enjoy training in the heat and playing the games.鈥�
The altitude of the Land of Enchantment will be a different type of test. Again, Mowbray and his club are welcoming the challenge.
鈥淚n football you have to adapt to every condition. If it鈥檚 tougher for the players, it鈥檚 something we鈥檒l accept,鈥� Mowbray said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e professionals, they have to get on with the job. If it is new. Let鈥檚 sample it. Let鈥檚 see whether it does make a difference to their breathing.鈥�
NEW ADDITION: On Monday, the United announced the acquisition of Colombia Youth International Isaac Zuleta from Getafe in Spain.
Zuleta has been an offensive threat for Getafe鈥檚 U-19 team with 16 goals in his first 11 matches 鈥� including hat tricks in his first three appearances. Getafe will be eligible to play against Sunderland.
鈥淚saac is a talented, exciting young player with an incredibly high ceiling and terrific work ethic,鈥� United sporting director Itamar Keinan said in a release. 鈥淒espite his young age, the international experience, and experience with an incredible club like Getafe, have prepared him to achieve in the Black & Yellow.鈥�
