Pre-Season Report: Leeds United 1-0 Sunderland | OneFootball

Pre-Season Friendly

Leeds United 1 (Nmecha 8’)

Sunderland 0

Leeds first half XI: Cairns (GK), Bogle, Gudmundsson, Muharemović, Rodon (C), Longstaff, Nmecha, Wilson, Tanaka, Bornauw, Mills.

Leeds second half XI: Cairns (GK), Bogle (Chadwick 70’), Gudmundsson (Lienou 70’), Muharemović (Crew 86’), Bornauw (Cresswell 70’), Justin, Ampadu (C), Stach, James, Gnonto, Piroe.

Venue: Sports Illustrated Stadium

Referee: Sergii Demianchuk

Leeds United played their second pre-season friendly of the summer US tour, taking on fellow Premier League side Sunderland and coming away victorious in New Jersey.

Lukas Nmecha’s early strike from distance proved to be the difference for the Whites, spotting the Black Cats’ goalkeeper off his line and finding the back of the net.

Both teams were looking to ramp up their preparations and continue to get minutes under their belts ahead of the new season at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, which is home of MLS side New York Red Bulls.

Wearing our freshly launched 2026/27 new home kit, United were quick to celebrate in the new shirt after Nmecha opened the scoring inside eight minutes.

Named as our starting striker for the match, the German’s sharpness was on display when looking up and seeing goalkeeper Melker Ellborg out of position, and from there, his low strike would find the back of the net via the post!

In a half that was competitive and saw attacks exchanged, the two best opportunities at either end came from the right-full-back on each side.

Firstly it was Jayden Bogle’s turn to push forward and get to the edge of the box before dragging an effort just wide.

Then up from the back for the opposition, Trai Hume looked to test Alex Cairns but his effort was deflected wide before it could reach the ‘keeper. Forward Brian Brobbey also had an opportunity though he was unable to guide the ball on target from close range.

Under the lights in New Jersey and in much cooler conditions than previously experienced in Tampa, Daniel Farke’s side went into their dressing room with a lead at the break.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Sunderland

The Whites made six changes at the interval, with Ethan Ampadu, James Justin, Daniel James, Anton Stach, Wilfried Gnonto and Joël Piroe all entering the action.

The shape remained the same with the three centre-backs seeing a lot of the ball before looking to set off attacks. New arrival Tarik Muharemović had settled in well at the heart of the defence and the supporters in the stands were enjoying their first glimpse of the summer signing.

The link up play down the left between Gabriel Gudmundsson and James was working well. The one-two interplay between the duo saw them each maraud into the box on more than one occasion to threaten the Sunderland backline.

With 20 minutes to go, Leeds made further changes. Sebastiaan Bornauw, Bogle and Gudmundsson were replaced by Academy trio Jayden Lienou, Alfie Cresswell and Rhys Chadwick.

Under-21s skipper Cresswell almost added a second, glancing a header from an Ampadu long-throw towards the corner which Ellborg scampered across to collect.

The chance came just moments after the keeper had made an excellent save to deny James. Ampadu and Piroe had initially linked up well, allowing the Wales international to try his luck from the edge of the area.

Aside from a Timur Tutierov shot from range which Cairns got down well to gather, Leeds limited their opponents to very little in the closing stages and saw the encounter out professionally to register a first victory in pre-season.

The US Tour draws to a close on Sunday evening as the Whites face fellow Premier League outfit Liverpool at Soldier Field in Chicago.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Sunderland