Sunderland rounded off their pre-season US tour with a 4-2 win over North Carolina FC - but how did each player fare during their three matches overseas?
The Black Cats took 26 players to America, with 21 featuring in their opening match against San Antonio FC, which Tony Mowbray’s side won 3-1.
Sunderland then beat New Mexico United 3-2, before a 4-2 victory over North Carolina.
The team now have less than two weeks to prepare for their first Championship fixture of the new season against Ipswich at the Stadium of Light.
As the Black Cats gear up for the 2023/24 campaign, we’ve assessed how every Sunderland player fared on the US tour, taking their average score from our player ratings and assessing the matches they played:
. Anthony Patterson - Average rating: 6
Patterson played 90 minutes against San Antonio and North Carolina. While the 23-year-old may feel he could have done better with some of the goals he conceded, he remains the Black Cats’ first-choice keeper. Photo: Chris Fryatt
. Matthew Young - Average rating 7
The trip to the US will have been a great experience for the 16-year-old keeper, who only just signed his first scholarship deal this summer. Young played the full match against New Mexico United and made a couple of impressive saves. Photo: National World
. Danny Batth - Average rating: 6.5
After picking up a minor injury at the start of pre-season, Batth played the second half against San Antonio and full game against North Carolina, scoring in the latter. While Sunderland have bolstered their defensive options this summer, the 32-year-old still looks likely to start against Ipswich on the opening day of the season. Photo: Frank Reid
. Lynden Gooch - Average rating: 6.5
Gooch once again showed his versatility by playing at left-back against North Carolina, after a 45-minute showing at right-back against San Antonio. Injuries on the left side of defence may open up a space in the team for the 27-year-old. Photo: Chris Fryatt
. Luke O’Nien - Average rating: 6.5
Another player who showed his adaptability by playing at left-back against New Mexico United. The 28-year-old also played 45 minutes at centre-back, where he impressed for large parts of last season, against San Antonio. Photo: Chris Fryatt
. Dennis Cirkin - Average rating: N/A
Cirkin was the only player who didn’t play any of the games for Sunderland in the US. The defender has only just returned from an ankle injury which he sustained at the end of last season and has been eased back. Photo: Frank Reid
. Niall Huggins - Average rating: 7
It’s been a positive pre-season so far for the former Leeds defender, even if he only played 45 minutes against San Antonio on the US tour. The 22-year-old produced an encouraging cameo at left-back and has been building up his fitness after two years of constant injury setbacks. Photo: Frank Reid
. Nectarios Triantis - Average rating: 6
After joining Sunderland from Central Coast Mariners earlier this summer, and picking up a minor injury, the 20-year-old understandably looked a little rusty in the second half against San Antonio. Triantis does look comfortable in possession, though, and also played 90 minutes against New Mexico United. Photo: SAFC
. Jenson Seelt - Average rating: 6
Seelt had been recovering from an ankle issue which meant he sat out Sunderland’s first two matches in the US. The 20-year-old then started against North Carolina but was forced off with a recurrence of the injury, following an encouraging cameo. Mowbray said after the match he didn’t think the setback was a serious one. Photo: SAFC
1. Anthony Patterson - Average rating: 6
Patterson played 90 minutes against San Antonio and North Carolina. While the 23-year-old may feel he could have done better with some of the goals he conceded, he remains the Black Cats’ first-choice keeper. Photo: Chris Fryatt
2. Matthew Young - Average rating 7
The trip to the US will have been a great experience for the 16-year-old keeper, who only just signed his first scholarship deal this summer. Young played the full match against New Mexico United and made a couple of impressive saves. Photo: National World
3. Danny Batth - Average rating: 6.5
After picking up a minor injury at the start of pre-season, Batth played the second half against San Antonio and full game against North Carolina, scoring in the latter. While Sunderland have bolstered their defensive options this summer, the 32-year-old still looks likely to start against Ipswich on the opening day of the season. Photo: Frank Reid
4. Lynden Gooch - Average rating: 6.5
Gooch once again showed his versatility by playing at left-back against North Carolina, after a 45-minute showing at right-back against San Antonio. Injuries on the left side of defence may open up a space in the team for the 27-year-old. Photo: Chris Fryatt