7 Things Learned From Sunderland's 1-0 Loss To Sacramento Republic

4. The Absent Three Were Sorely Missed

As well as Pantilimon, three key first team players were unavailable for selection in California. Adam Johnson, Patrick van Aanholt and Sebastian Coates were all absent for the game, and their presence was sorely missed. Although Sunderland passed the ball around well in the first 45 minutes, their second half performance was poor, lacking the incisiveness provided by Johnson and van Aanholt - both ambitious, attack-minded players with the ball at their feet. Similarly, Coates' absence forced Wes Brown into 90 minutes of action, a spell the ageing centre back could have perhaps done without. It also forced young defender Tom Beadling out to left back, away from his natural position in the heart of the backline.