New Mexico United 2-3 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC continued their pre-season tour of the United States with a 3-2 victory over New Mexico United.
Pierre Ekwah opened the scoring at Isotopes Park, with the Frenchman’s swerving 25-yard strike setting the Lads on their way in Albuquerque.
A precise cross from Alex Pritchard teed up the Black Cats’ second in stoppage time, as Hemir headed home his second goal of pre-season.
Isaac Lihadji added a third from close range midway through the second half, before Milo Garvanian and Isaac Zuleta scored late consolations.
16-year-old goalkeeper Matty Young was handed his debut at Isotopes Park, with Nectar Triantis also making his first start in red and white.
Dan Neil partnered Ekwah in central midfield, as Luke O’Nien captained the Lads in New Mexico.
Sunderland started on the front foot, with Hemir and Lihadji both creating early opportunities before Pritchard tumbled and penalty appeals were waved away.
Young was forced into action for the first time with 15 minutes on the clock, but he was equal to Nicky Hernandez’s effort before denying Sergio Rivas moments later.
Ekwah shattered the deadlock in emphatic fashion on 39 minutes, with a swerving 25-yard drive whistling beyond Ford Parker.
And after threatening on numerous occasions, Hemir doubled the Lads’ advantage in stoppage time by heading home Pritchard’s pinpoint cross.
New Mexico made wholesale changes following the interval, but Sunderland remained in control of the contest and they added a third with 65 minutes on the clock.
After seeing his first effort saved, Lihadji reacted first within the six-yard box and he reaped the rewards by converting the follow-up from close range.
A deflected late goal from Garvanian denied the Black Cats a clean sheet before Zuleta slotted home a late spot-kick, as all the starting XI banked 90 valuable minutes ahead of the new campaign.
Sunderland AFC: Young, Triantis, Ballard, Hume, O’Nien, Neil, Ekwah, Pritchard, Lihadji, Ba, Hemir.