Leeds United v Sunderland

Thursday 30th July 2026 at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey

Pre-season - 2026/27 Season

The next day saw me do 10 laps of the pool again, get showered have breakfast then get the hotel shuttle bus to Walmart. I’d been there the day before for my family shipping order of melatonin but needed some bug lotion this time as the beggars loved the taste of my legs. By now, I knew it was safe to walk from there and I wasn’t going to be attacked by alligators or snakes, so I decided to walk back to the hotel. It took 30 minutes so wasn’t a bad walk and I bumped into some of our group who were heading to Clearwater Beach. Seeing the ominous storm clouds in the distance I thought I’d rather not go there. They were okay as it turned out but those who went to Busch Gardens found everything shut down just after they arrived due to lightning 20 miles away, so it was an expensive trip. I went to sunbathe before the storm arrived not expecting much time but luckily the thunder by passed us. It was pleasant and I fell asleep but eventually the sun came out again and as it was scorching I called it a day. I decided to join some of the group at Duffy’s which again the hotel shuttle bus took me too and had a great time there chatting about Leeds, everything and anything. I was so glad to be there experiencing this trip and glad I didn’t back out because of the cost. I would never ever do things like this on my own otherwise and it’s a chance I had to take and visit places I never would without Leeds United. Eventually all the group joined us, so we managed a team photo before some of us headed back to the hotel. Stayed in the hotel bar when I got back, handed over the Kippax flag then had an early night as we were heading off early in the morning. 

I awoke at 430am so got up rather than have another 10 minutes and found everyone was downstairs, checked out and on the bus ready to leave at 525am. We didn’t have to wait long for departure once through to the gates and the flight went quickly as I enjoyed watching Mamma Mia. After just a bit of bad turbulence we landed safely and the group of Leeds fans on the plane were welcomed to New York LaGuardia by the pilot. We obviously made another good impression. It took an hour to get to the hotel the Double Tree by Hilton Newark which was next to Newark Penn station with easy access to the ground. Immediately it had a presence of an unsafe area. We went to the Sports Bar in the building next to our hotel before checking in. I did go with Helen for a walk after checking in and we found Bello’s bar and grill at the back of the station where we went for something to eat later, and others joined us. Headed back to the hotel for an early night as it had been a long day and found the walkway to our hotel closed so had to go in through the bottom entrance instead. I wouldn’t want to walk around here late at night on my own as there were a few unsavoury characters around that meant I didn’t feel safe. There were plenty of police around and I’m not sure if it made me feel better or not in the sense it indicated a rougher area. 

It was only later that I realised that the new home kit launch was part of the player meet up at JD Sports in New York that afternoon. With having never been here before I wouldn’t have attempted going there on my own and only realised some of the lads went when it was already too late for the event. Never mind, I can’t do everything. Personally I won’t buy shirts with the red bulls on but would get the kids ones without the logo. I have seen a mock-up of the shirt with blue bulls which looked great, plus that would have definitely made me change my mind. 

We were heading out to do some sightseeing today but luckily the thunderstorm in the distance kept away. At least we left Tampa at the right time because some fans leaving from Clearwater saw torrential downpours before being delayed 3.5 hours because of the bad weather. After just reading about an earthquake in Japan, I’m thankful now that our preseason tour didn’t end up there. 

We were heading to the ferry for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Immigration Centre tour. All I wanted to do was ensure I could get a photo of my flag with the Statue of Liberty, and I was so happy I managed to do it. After an evening in Bello’s bar again where we were joined by some Sunderland fans who were also staying at our hotel, I headed back to my room. 

Today was another free day and I joined a group of us heading up to the 9/11 memorial at ground zero. I had been asked to say a prayer for a friend of Kal Sandhu (a Leeds fan I know), who died in one of the Towers. When we arrived at the first tower the sound of the water falling where the hole had been was filling the air. After going around the outside where names of the people who died were inscribed into marble without success, I was disappointed that I hadn’t found his friend’s name. I did say a prayer though as I’d been asked to do. We were just going to leave when someone mentioned the second tower was a bit further away from where we were stood. I asked if they’d mind waiting for me so I could go and look for the name and am grateful for their support. I went anticlockwise this time as the front names were from those who died in the aeroplanes that were hijacked. As I got to the far end I found her name in the middle. I’m so glad I was able to do a reel to send to Kal saying “In memory of Ingeborg Lariby from Kal Sandhu, rest in peace.” It made me feel very emotional but thankful. 

Next, we found an Irish bar and had a drink there. I sat down waiting to be served at the bar and the man serving said he’d be with me shortly. The man next to me said he liked my pin badges and we started talking. When I ordered my diet coke, he told me to put my card away as he was paying for it. Again it was another case of meeting lovely people. After calling at Legends where the fan event was taking place the next day, we then went into another Irish bar next door. As we were aiming to go and see Times Square lit up at night, I decided to try and find JD Sports where the kit event had been as I left the others drinking alcohol. After walking from 33rd Street until 47th Street I found I’d gone past it as I should have turned left on 42nd Street. When I reached the store there wasn’t a Leeds shirt in sight so asked the question as to whether this was where the launch was. It certainly was, but they hadn’t anything as it was all taken back or sold not sure which. I then walked back to the Irish bar where everyone was still having found a lovely shop selling smoothies. It was great seeing some of my Selby and Sherburn whites arrive there too. 

Eventually our group carried on walking to Times Square as we wanted to see it all lit up in the dark. It was quite impressive but by this time aches and pains were having a big impact on some of us before we headed back to our hotel. To be honest I’d been one of the better ones, but I certainly knew about it a couple of days later. 

I decided that I was going to head into New York on my own today as I knew where I was going now and felt so much more confident. Not many from our group were going to attend the fan event later so going in early meant I could go where I wanted to go. As I got off at Maddison Street Garden station, I chose an Apple Store on 5th Avenue as I needed a new portable charger. This turned out to be a long walk to 59th Street then back to 33rd Street for the Legends fan event. When both Lucas Radebe and Jermaine Beckford saw me, I got a hug from each of them. It was great meeting everyone there, having photos taken and chatting before I headed back to my hotel for a rest before the Sunderland game. 

As it was one stop from Newark Penn station to Harrison on the World Trade Centre tap on train it was very easy for us to get to the ground. It was lovely seeing so many Leeds fans walking across to the ground where the fan zone was in full swing. 

Team: 

First half: Alex Cairns, Joe Rodon (captain), Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Tarik Muharemović, Harry Wilson, Sean Longstaff, Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Ao Tanaka, Callum Mills. 

Second half: Alex Cairns, Ethan Ampadu (captain), Tarik Muharemović, Jayden Bogle, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Anton Stach, Willy Gnonto, Daniel James, Joël Piroe, James Justin. 

Subs: Rhys Chadwick for Bogle (70), Jayden Lienou for Gudmundsson (70), Alfie Cresswell for Sebastiaan Bornauw (70), Charlie Crew for Muharemović (86). 

Leeds won the game 1-0 scored by Nmecha (8). 

Attendance: 

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk 

The game itself saw Nmecha score the only goal of the game with a long range shot with their keeper scrambling to get back to his line but failing. Our new signing Tariq Muharemović come on in the second half and played well, but overall it’s a good job Sunderland had left their shooting boots at home as they had plenty of chances. Our marking was still a concern at times, but it was a better team display than against Wrexham. Again it was about match fitness and getting minutes for the team. 



Walked back to station and whilst on the station I was asked for a selfie with one of our fans who was apologetic for asking. Honestly, I have been asked for so many photos and selfies whilst I’ve been on the tour, so I have no problems with anyone asking. As I take so many photos myself, it would not be right to refuse anyone who asked me, not that I would anyway. It is nice to give something back. When we arrived back at Newark Penn station a group of us went to Bello’s afterwards for something to eat. We were then joined by the Sunderland fans from our hotel with obviously plenty of good-natured banter. After I’d eaten, I took my leave, but this time went back on my own. I knew there were plenty of police inside the station and just watched where I walked to avoid the groups hanging around.