CARSON — AFC Bournemouth returned to the English Premier League for the 2022-23 season and recorded 39 points, finishing in 15th place and staying out of the bottom three spots in the 20-team league to avoid relegation.
Last season, the Cherries increased their total to 48 points, their highest ever in the Premier League, and finished 12th, their best since the 2017-18 season.
“The group had a great year last year, achieved some great things and we’re looking to push on and try to keep improving as a group and players,” forward Jaidon Anthony said.
For the first time since 2016, Bournemouth has started their season in the U.S., this time settling at Dignity Health Sports Park. The upcoming season, which begins Aug. 17 against Nottingham Forest, will be Bournemouth’s third consecutive in the Premier League.
“We’re enjoying it,” Anthony said. “Working hard, we still have a few more games to go, looking forward to them and trying to get the work in. This is all about getting us ready for a big season. Our aim is to keep improving, trying to better what we’ve done. You’re never satisfied as a footballer, you always want more and that’s what we aim for.”
Bournemouth kicked off its U.S. tour with a 1-1 draw against Wrexham AFC on Saturday at Harder Stadium on the campus of UC Santa Barbara. The work continues Wednesday in Carson against Premier League foe Arsenal (7:30 p.m, ESPN+).
Anthony spent the majority of last season on loan with Leeds United in the Championship. He initially joined Bournemouth in 2016.
“It (the journey) was amazing, lot of ups and downs as you can imagine,” he said. “My fair share of injuries as well, but I had some special moments for sure and I love it here. It’s tough at times, people don’t see the hard parts, but we put in a lot of work and we get to enjoy the biggest stage, it’s everyone’s dream to play at the highest level.”
Anthony said this is not his first trip to L.A., having came over last year. With the popularity of the Premier League in the U.S., Bournemouth is another club that’s looking to grow its brand.
“We have some American owners and I’m sure they’ve put in a lot of work to build our brand,” Anthony said.
Bournemouth’s ownership group is led by the Black Knight Football Club and American businessman Bill Foley. Actor Michael B. Jordan led a minority ownership group that invested in the club in 2022.
“Mike is a great guy,” Foley said in an interview earlier this year on CBS Sports Golazo Network. “He hasn’t got stars in his eyes. He loves football.
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“He is really helping us in terms of some our international marketing and marketing in the U.S. He’s engaged. He’s all in and it’s good to have to him.”
One player the fans will not see in action is Tyler Adams. The USMNT midfielder is with the club, but will miss the start of the season after recently undergoing back surgery.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH vs. ARSENAL
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: ESPN+
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