2016/17 Season Review: July

By SFC Media Fri 02 Jun Men's First team

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Claude Puel during a Southampton FC pre season friendly against DC United, at the RFK stadium, Washington DC, USA, 15th July 2016

Plyers line up for a team photo during a Southampton FC pre season friendly against DC United, at the RFK stadium, Washington DC, USA, 15th July 2016

Nathan Redmond during a Southampton FC pre season friendly against DC United, at the RFK stadium, Washington DC, USA, 15th July 2016

Jay Rodriguez converts his penalty during a Southampton FC pre season friendly against DC United, at the RFK stadium, Washington DC, USA, 15th July 2016

Jay Rodriguez after converting his penalty during a Southampton FC pre season friendly against DC United, at the RFK stadium, Washington DC, USA, 15th July 2016

Players inspect the pitch during friendly fixture between PEC Zwolle and Southampton FC, Zwolle, Netherlands, 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

The starting eleven during friendly fixture between PEC Zwolle and Southampton FC, Zwolle, Netherlands, 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Oriol Romeu during friendly fixture between PEC Zwolle and Southampton FC, Zwolle, Netherlands, 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Natahan Redmond scores during friendly fixture between PEC Zwolle and Southampton FC, Zwolle, Netherlands, 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Natahan Redmond after scoring his first goal during friendly fixture between PEC Zwolle and Southampton FC, Zwolle, Netherlands, 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

GV during friendly fixture between FC Twente Southampton FC at The Grolsch Stadium, Enschede, Netherlands on 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

The Southampton FC starting eleven during friendly fixture between FC Twente Southampton FC at The Grolsch Stadium, Enschede, Netherlands on 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Sam McQueen during friendly fixture between FC Twente Southampton FC at The Grolsch Stadium, Enschede, Netherlands on 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Virgil Van Dijk scores during friendly fixture between FC Twente Southampton FC at The Grolsch Stadium, Enschede, Netherlands on 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Maya Yoshida during friendly fixture between FC Twente Southampton FC at The Grolsch Stadium, Enschede, Netherlands on 23 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

GV during friendly fixture between FC Groningen and Southampton FC at Euroborg, Groningen, Netherlands on 30 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Southampton starting eleven during friendly fixture between FC Groningen and Southampton FC at Euroborg, Groningen, Netherlands on 30 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Virgil Van Dijk during friendly fixture between FC Groningen and Southampton FC at Euroborg, Groningen, Netherlands on 30 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Charlie Austin scores during friendly fixture between FC Groningen and Southampton FC at Euroborg, Groningen, Netherlands on 30 July 2016. Photo by Matt Watson/SFC/Digital South.

Southampton kick-started the 2016/17 campaign with a week-long training camp in Baltimore, the home of new partners Under Armour.

After a long week training, Saints faced DC United Under-23s in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the RFK Stadium.

Claude Puel named two different sides for each half of the game, and James Ward-Prowse's 16th minute strike put Saints ahead before a late penalty from Jay Rodriguez completed the scoreline.

The squad then returned to Staplewood Campus before flying out to Holland for their next set of preparations, where they faced a trio of Eredivisie teams.

First came a convincing 4-0 victory over PEC Zwolle before a late Sam Gallagher strike kept Saints' unbeaten run going against Cuco Martina and Dušan Tadić's former side, FC Twente.

The Holland trip was then concluded with a second trip to the Euroborg in as many seasons, where Charlie Austin's 75th minute header ensured Saints completed their travels unbeaten.

Results:

Friday 15^th DC United U23s (a) W 0-2

Saturday 23^rd PEC Zwolle (a) W 0-4

Wednesday 27^th FC Twente (a) W 1-2

Saturday 30^th FC Groningen (a) W 0-1