Tonight at 8 p.m. the Dynamo host Stoke City F.C. of the English Premier League in the fifth annual BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup. Ahead of tonight’s game, here is what Stoke City players and staff had to say about tonight’s international friendly:
GEOFF CAMERON - Stoke City & United States international defender:
“I’m really excited about going back to Houston Dynamo – back to a place where I spent four incredible years.
“Getting the chance to play against my old teammates and see a lot of my closest friends will be absolutely fantastic, and obviously I can’t wait to get back over there with the rest of the lads.
“I had a chance to pop down there in the summer but that was more of a vacation. This time it will be a lot harder, and we will utilise their fantastic facilities and play a real tough game against them too.
“It will be tough, but it’s a great place for us to go and get prepared for the Premier League.”
READ: Stoke City expect to be tested in BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup
RYAN SHAWCROSS - Stoke City Captain & England international defender:
“The facilities and climate out in the United States ensures a thorough and intense ten days of training for us.
“The lads always seem to enjoy coming over there, and working in a different environment – which is good for us as a group.
“It’s the first time that I will have been to Houston, but I am looking forward to arriving there. I’ve heard a lot about the place of course, through Geoff, and from what I gather the facilities and stadium are first class.”
CHARLIE ADAM - Stoke City & Scotland international midfielder:
“The idea of pre-season is to get in peak condition ready for the new season and the trip to the US will give us a great platform to build upon as we look forward to the first game of the season against Liverpool next month.
“Having been to the States before in pre-season, I know how good the facilities are over there, and I also know how good the teams are in the MLS too, so we can expect a real good workout in the three games that we play there, starting with Houston Dynamo next week.”
READ: A new era for Stoke City begins at the BBVA Compass Dynamo Charities Cup
ERIK PIETERS - Stoke City & Holland International defender:
“I’m really looking forward to the training camp in the United States. Having only just arrived at Club it will be good to spend more time with my new teammates and to make my Stoke City debut in one of the three games, hopefully against Houston.
“It will be very hot over there, but I’m sure that it will be a tough, but enjoyable trip where we get to play against some very good teams at some very nice stadiums.”
