Captain Jarrod Bowen spoke to the media ahead of West Ham United's Premier League Summer Series opener against Manchester United in New Jersey.
The Hammers have been in the United States since Wednesday afternoon, training at Rutgers University and meeting supporters at a series of events.
On Friday, skipper Bowen, Head Coach Graham Potter, Nayef Aguerd and Ollie Scarles were at a Premier League Community event at Washington Elementary School in Kearny, New Jersey, coaching and sharing their experiences with youngsters and speaking to host broadcaster NBC Sports.
Players also attended a Premier League showcase at the huge American Dream Mall next to MetLife Stadium, while Potter and Maximilian Kilman joined the Barclays Business of Football Event celebrating Barclays' 25-year partnership with the Premier League in New York City on Thursday.
Fresh from getting married to new wife Dani in the off-season and raring to go ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Bowen is geared up for three exciting pre-season fixtures, with Saturday's game against Manchester United to be followed by games against Everton at Soldier Field in Chicago on Wednesday and AFC Bournemouth at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta a week on Sunday.
Tickets for all three matches remain on General Sale HERE, with supporters now able to save 20% on select seats by using the code PLSS20.
Speaking with a smile, here's what Bowen had to say...
Pre-season has been really positive so far.
We had a good break, which was important because we needed to switch off mentally, and since then we’ve had three weeks of really good and productive training.
We had a few days out in England, then a week in Germany, which was good. Then obviously we’ve been out here in the US since Wednesday, which has been another positive change.
It’s the manager’s first pre-season with us, and we’ve all enjoyed the chance to work with him for a prolonged period.
It's always difficult - whether you’re a player or a manager - to go into a club midway through the season, because you don’t have that time that you would if you went in in the summer. You’ve got a game at the weekend and then all of a sudden there’s another one.
For the manager - and for all of us - to have that time when we’re solely focused on ourselves, and to be able to test the water with a few things, is great. We’re a few weeks in, and like I said, we feel like we’re in a really good place.
Being in pre-season, and being in a different country, means we can enjoy different events off the pitch as well.
I always love engaging with young supporters and going into communities. I've got kids and I've also been a young kid with a dream of playing football as well. So, to have the opportunity to watch youngsters, put yourself back in their shoes and work with them is great.
To get these opportunities to come into a whole new culture, a whole new country, which we don't get to do all the time, is a brilliant thing to be part of, and I’m excited for what the rest of the trip has to come.
As a fan of American sports, being here is also extra special for me!
I love American Football and the NFL, so being able to train at Rutgers University has been really cool.
College football does confuse me a bit! There are a lot of teams, and I’m not sure who’s good and who’s not, but to see their facilities and the types of stadiums they play in has been really cool.
I’m also really excited to play at the MetLife Stadium, which looks incredible!
We’re playing Manchester United, which is always a big game, and I think we’re all looking forward to getting out there, and seeing all the fans in attendance as well.
The Summer Series gives us three really competitive games against Premier League opposition. We know they’re going to be challenging, but we put in a good performance against Grasshopper Club Zürich over in Germany, and we want to build on that now.
We all feel like we’re in a good place, and that we’re ready for the fixtures.
I just want to keep progressing and to have a good season.
Before you know it, the Premier League is going to be here again, and I am really excited.
My own goals are just to stay fit and healthy, and to try and win lots of games for this Club. That’s my aim, and hopefully I can start by putting in a good display against Manchester United.
