By DAN KARELL
In the pouring rain in Hong Kong, a Barclays Asia Trophy match between English Premier League sides Sunderland and Tottenham saw Jozy Altidore make his preseason debut for his new club.
The 23-year-old American recorded an assist on his team’s first goal of the game in a 3-1 victory, though he missed an open chance in the 42nd minute to bag his first goal for the Black Cats. Tottenham’s Brad Friedel also denied Altidore a goal in the 71st minute, before the new signing was substituted in the 74th minute of the rain-shortened match.
Fellow U.S. Men’s National Team member Clint Dempsey featured for Tottenham on the day, starting and playing 70 minutes before being replaced. The 41-year-old Friedel came on at halftime and played the entire second half in the losing effort.
With the victory, Sunderland faces Manchester City on Saturday in the Barclays Asia Trophy final, while Tottenham faces Hong Kong club South China in the third-place match.
What did you think of the match? Excited to see Altidore get his first start with Sunderland? Encouraged to see Dempsey starting for Tottenham?
Share your thoughts below.