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James Hunter

Sunderland are heading to the USA for pre-season as Kristjaan Speakman explains reasons behind trip

Sunderland are heading to the USA as part of the club's pre-season preparations, with three friendlies scheduled. The Black Cats will jet out to Austin, Texas, on July 12 for a ten-day trans-Atlantic trip.

Tony Mowbray's side will play San Antonio FC - who compete in the USL Championship, the second tier of US football - at their Toyota Field home on Saturday, July 15. They will then move on to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to face USL Championship side New Mexico United at their Isotopes Park home on Wednesday, July 19.

Sunderland will then travel to North Carolina for their final friendly on Friday, July 21, at WakeMed Park with the opposition for that game yet to be confirmed. Sunderland have also announced that the tour will include a number of opportunities for fans to watch training and to meet the players.

READ MORE: Joe Gelhardt will score goals for Sunderland insists Tony Mowbray as he highlights all-round role

It will be the first time since 2015 that Sunderland have travelled to the USA for pre-season, and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “We are really excited to be taking the team back to the US in the summer of 2023. It's been a complex planning process over the past 12 months, as we wanted to ensure we combined a first-class training programme with an opportunity to engage with our overseas fanbase.

"We hope the multi-city approach will allow plenty of supporters to engage with the team and by announcing our plans well in advance, we also hope to see some familiar faces make the trip from the UK."

More information, including ticketing details for the fixtures against San Antonio FC and New Mexico United, will be released nearer the time.

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