Sunderland AFC are set to travel to the USA and Canada as part of their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League campaign.
Dick Advocaat’s side will be based near San Francisco for a week-long training camp, which will include two games in Northern California. The first takes place on Tuesday July 14, against Sacramento Republic FC at Bonney Field stadium, kicking off at 8pm local time. Three days later, Sunderland will face Mexican Primera side Club de Fútbol Pachuca on Friday 17 July, again at Bonney Field, Sacramento, at 7.30pm.
They will round off their trip with a visit to Toronto to take on Canadian MLS side Toronto FC, at 7pm local time.
Speaking about the tour, Sunderland AFC’s sporting director Lee Congerton said: “The trip will afford us the opportunity to face quality opposition as we prepare for the season ahead. The facilities for training are great and the games step up over the tour in terms of intensity and this will help us build our fitness and sharpness levels, which is the main aim of pre-season.”
SAFC’s commercial director, Gary Hutchinson added: “There is a growing interest in football throughout North America. The Barclays Premier League in particular is increasing significantly in popularity, with every game shown live on TV throughout the season. This tour will afford us a fantastic opportunity to introduce Sunderland to an important overseas audience and connect with our existing supporter groups in the territory, which is a key growth area for our club.”
Fans wishing to attend the games will be able to purchase tickets online from the three clubs, further details of which will be confirmed shortly. SAFC will not sell any tickets for the fixtures.
Darlington 1883
Thursday 9 July
7.45pm
Heritage Park, Bishop Auckland
Sacramento Republic
Tuesday 14 July
8.00pm
Bonney Field, Sacramento, California
Club de Fútbol Pachuca
Friday 17 July
7.30pm
Bonney Field, Sacramento, California
Toronto FC
Wednesday 22 July
7.00pm
BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Doncaster
Wednesday 29 July
7.45pm
Keepmoat Stadium