Stoke City FC has announced its provisional roster that will travel to Columbus for the international friendly against the Crew on Tuesday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. at Crew Stadium. The roster is highlighted by England international forward Peter Crouch, Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios and Ireland internationals Glenn Whelan and Jonathan Walters.
Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and founded in 1863, Stoke City is widely considered to be the second oldest professional soccer club in the world, after fellow English club Notts County.
Nicknamed 'The Potters,’ after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent, it has played in the Premier League since 2008 and is managed by Tony Pulis. Stoke City has won one major trophy, the 1972 Football League Cup, and nearly added another just last year, when it lost to Manchester City in the FA Cup Final. The club has competed in European competitions on three occasions, most recently in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League.
The Crew is 9-4-2 all-time in international exhibitions, including 2-3-2 against teams from the English Premier League. The Black & Gold downed Leeds 2-1 in 1997, tied Newcastle United 2-2 in 2000, defeated Fulham 2-1 in 2005, tied Everton 1-1 in 2006, lost to Aston Villa 3-1 in 2007, fell to West Ham 3-1 in 2008, and lost to Newcastle United 3-0 last July.
Stoke City FC traveling roster: (Subject to change)
Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic, Thomas Sorensen, Carlo Nash
Defenders: Andy Wilkinson, Ryan Shotton, Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross, Matthew Upson, Danny Higginbotham, Marc Wilson, Danny Collins.
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, Dean Whitehead, Rory Delap, Matthew Etherington, Wilson Palacios, Diego Arismendi, Michael Tonge, Jamie Ness.
Strikers: Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones, Jonathan Walters, Cameron Jerome, Mamady Sidibe.
